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Participant
October 11, 2022
Question

Filling Multiple PDFs with Single Data Source

  • October 11, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 327 views

Hello,

Is there a way to have a "master" pdf form that can be filled out and that data be linked to or flow to 8 other PDFs so they auto fill from that master data source?

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2 replies

Thom Parker
Community Expert
Community Expert
October 16, 2022

There is no efficient way to automatically link PDFs.  Not that it can't be done, but it's difficult and clunky.  However, there are multiple ways to transfer data between PDF files.

Here are 3. 

1) You'll find a tool here that copies form field data from one PDF to another.  It's not free. 

   https://www.pdfscripting.com/public/Copy-Form-Data-Between-PDFs-Description.cfm 

2) Write a custom tool as Try67 suggest.  Only I'd set it up to push data to the other forms from a toolbar button

3) Here is a simple manual solution if you have Acrobat Pro.  Export the data from one PDF and import it into another using the Data Import/Export options on the "More" menu in Prepare Form mode.

 

 

Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often
try67
Community Expert
Community Expert
October 12, 2022

Yes, but it's tricky to implement, and will require installing a script on the local machine of each user who will be using it. Also, you will need to define when the values should update: Each time you change them in the "master" file? When you save it? When you close it? When you open one of the dependent files? etc.