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A
alexisk62261201
Participating Frequently
September 21, 2016
Answered

Exporting Comments/Attributes - XFDF or FDF

  • September 21, 2016
  • 1 reply
  • 988 views

I'd like to utilize the data within comments for reporting - preferably using MS Access 2013. I know I can change the file extension of the xfdf format and get to the data, but it doesn't appear to have all the attributes I'd like.

1. Does anyone know of a way I can get to the data?

2. How can I get to reviewer, pageno, etc?


Thanks

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer George_Johnson

So basically, comments are put into Acrobat by many individuals. What Acrobat holds is draft contract documents for construction (many different plans, specs, etc). I am tasked with reporting on these comments.

I'd like to append the current data (hoping I can get ReviewDate, ReviewerName, pdfPageNo, etc) with things like JobNumber, SpecName, SpecDate, FunctionalArea, Importance, etc. so that I can create reports.

Thanks again!


Here's a link to a previous discussion that includes a script that generates a PDF report using JavaScript: Print comments only

You might not want the same type of output, but the code should give you a good place to start. It demonstrates accessing the comments, sorting, and picking out the specific comment properties that are of interest.

Instead of generating a PDF report like the script does, you could instead write to the JavaScript console and then copy & paste, or write the data to a text file and save it as an attachment that you can then export. It's also possible to control Acrobat through Visual Basic code in Access, which can lead to a more automated workflow if you intend to save the data to a database.

1 reply

G
George_Johnson
Inspiring
September 21, 2016

What I would do is create code in a folder-level JavaScript routine that gathers exactly what you want from a document's comments and returns it in a form that you can more easily use with Access.

A
alexisk62261201Author
Participating Frequently
September 21, 2016

Hey, George! You are my first response on this newsgroup! I REALLY appreciate your taking the time to answer. Can you give any specific (or references to) examples that do that (or close)? I had java about 15 years ago, and I've never written any code embedded within Acrobat.

Thanks

G
George_Johnson
Inspiring
September 21, 2016

Before we discuss that, do you know how to control Acrobat from VB code within Access or have you been working with XFDFs that have been manually exported?

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