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How to use multiple copies of the same form combined in one file

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I use a test pit form that has many fields. When I am done with a project I want all of these forms say 2 to 10 depending on the project to be in the same pdf file. I do not want to ge through each fiel and change each field to blahblah page 2 and then page 3 etc. If i don't do this and combine they are all identical. So I have been flatening. This is an extremely irritating process that must have a work around. flattening each page separately with a new name and then combining the files wastes so much time say bad things to my computer (that I would not want to repeat here). There must be another way.

Of course I am using Acrobat Pro and probably in the wrong forum. I can't wait to hear that.

try67

Community Expert

You can flatten an entire file at all once using the Preflight tool, or this simple script:

this.flattenPages();

You can even use an Action and run this command on multiple files in a single process.

Just be aware this change is not reversible, so make sure you keep backup copies of your files, in case you want to edit them later on.

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Thom Parker

Community Expert

You could even automate the entire process so that the files are flattened and combined in a single action.

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Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often

J

jlcampijrAuthor

Known Participant

Better yet, combining simultaneously.

I am an advanced programmer. For example I know

10 Hi

20 Goto 10

I have even heard that there is a way to do this such that it fills the entire row and then proceeds to line 20. I'm sure you understand that I am prepared to write a script on nothing more than a concept. No, sadly I am just a civil engineer attempting to use multiple copies of the same form with different information on each form.

I will tell you this, when I discovered this initially, after entering all of the test pit data for multiple pits, combining and then discovering all the sheets were identical (with no backup) I may have said a bad word. That's not nice. Any additional help and you could be looking at aquiring another correct answer.

Jim

By the way, the comments are all helpful and I thank you for your time replying. We are very close to a solution, just a bit more explanation how this is done and I can toss my potty mouth soap bar.

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PDF Automation Station

Community Expert

Are you referring to a form field that says page 1 of 10, 2 of 10, etc.?

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J

jlcampijrAuthor

Known Participant

Every form field has a name. If you are using multiple copies of the same file, when they are combined they sync. So it the first line 20th line of each page has a form field titled test pit 3, then all of the pages will have identical contents in the field called test pit 3.

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