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owkoepfw231
Known Participant
January 11, 2018
Answered

Importing multiple rows from text file

  • January 11, 2018
  • 2 replies
  • 2320 views

Hello

I am trying to import multiple (6) rows into a text field from a text file. If i add 2 or more rows it gives me an ouptut of 0. Is there another way to achieve this?

I have tried this:

var i;   

var full;

for (i = 0; i < 7; i++) {

    full += importTextData("/C/Users/testfile.txt",i);

}

event.value = full;

This only read the 6th row in the file.

I have also tried this:

var a = importTextData("/C/Users/testfile.txt",0);

var b = importTextData("/C/Users/testfile.txt",1);

var c = importTextData("/C/Users/testfile.txt",2);

var d = importTextData("/C/Users/testfile.txt",3);

var e = importTextData("/C/Users/testfile.txt",4);

var f = importTextData("/C/Users/testfile.txt",5);

event.value = a+b+c+d+e+f;

This only outputted the last row in the file.

Please advise.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Karl Heinz Kremer

    Using the Doc.importTextData() method you can only import one row at a time. The number of fields in your document needs to match the columns in your tab separated values file, and the column names have to match the text field names.

    Based on your script, it looks like you are trying to do something different. The method does not return the value it reads, it returns a status code that is documented here: Acrobat DC SDK Documentation

    2 replies

    Thom Parker
    Community Expert
    Thom ParkerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 11, 2018

    I see two possible solutions. 

    1. Create a set of hidden fields that match the import data. Then import each line, copying the data to the correct form fields.

    2. Use a folder level script to load the raw file data with "util.readFileIntoStream", then parse the data and place it where you need it.

    Either way this is a complex scripting job.

    Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often
      O
      owkoepfw231Author
      Known Participant
      January 12, 2018

      Thom,

      In regards to the second option, I had setup my Folder Level Script. I was able to add a Javascript to this folder with the following code you had posted on acrobatusers:

      app.addMenuItem({cName:"JS Ref", cParent:"Help", cExec:"app.openDoc('/C/Users/Desktop/js_api_reference.pdf');" });

      This created an option in the Help menu which redirected me to the JS Acrobat API pdf.

      So, then I tried implementing util.readFileIntoStream using the following code:

      var rStream = util.readFileIntoStream("/C/Users/Desktop/myData.txt");

      var cFile = util.stringFromStream(rStream);
      this.getField("myTextField").value = cFile;

      I then saved the JavaScript as FirstTest.js

      I closed Adobe and reopened it and got the following error:

      NotAllowedError: Security settings prevent access to this property or method.

      Util.readFileIntoStream:1:Folder-Level:User:FirstTest.js

      I also went to the Security (Enhanced) option and added the JavaScript Folder as a privileged location. I also added my text file ("myData") as a privliged location as well. However i still get the same error.

      Please advise

      By the way I am using Acrobat Pro XI.

      Thanks

      try67
      Community Expert
      try67Community Expert
      Community Expert
      January 12, 2018

      From the documentation of readFileIntoStream:

      If the cDIPath parameter is specified, this method can only be executed in privileged

      context, during a batch or console event (or when the document is certified with a

      certificate trusted to execute "embedded high privileged JavaScript").

      Karl Heinz Kremer
      Community Expert
      Karl Heinz KremerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      January 11, 2018

      Using the Doc.importTextData() method you can only import one row at a time. The number of fields in your document needs to match the columns in your tab separated values file, and the column names have to match the text field names.

      Based on your script, it looks like you are trying to do something different. The method does not return the value it reads, it returns a status code that is documented here: Acrobat DC SDK Documentation

      O
      owkoepfw231Author
      Known Participant
      January 11, 2018

      Thanks Karl for your reply. Is there a work around for this. I want to import multiple rows from one column into one text field. Any ideas on how I could achieve this?

      try67
      Community Expert
      try67Community Expert
      Community Expert
      January 11, 2018

      This would require doing in using a custom-made script, because if you use the importTextData command it will just overwrite itself each time you run it.

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