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kirstinf65418680
kirstinf65418680
Participant
March 26, 2020
Question

Setting up buttons to export FDF data then import FDF data onto a different form for Reader users

  • March 26, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 3699 views

Hi, 

So I an not a programmer the best that I can do is copy/paste javascript that I've searched for on these forums. 

 

I have a copy of Adobe acrobat pro DC to create forms but the rest of my team does not. I am trying to export form data (FDF) from one PDF (PDF#1) and then import that data into a second form (PDF#2). Since the rest of my team does not have pro verions I am trying to set up a button to export the FDF from PDF#1 and then importing that FDF file into PDF#2. Theses are fillable forms that will have a different names/ values each time. 

 

First I tried creating a button that did this 

exportAsFDF();

which worked for my version of adobe but the button did nothign for non pro users. 

 

Non pro users can email out an FDF file but I only know how to do that with an export out button (Mouse up > Submit a form). The problem is that I will have to direct  the the eport to a specific email address. This will not work because we need each person to be able to deal with their own form data and we don't have a shared email account. We do heave a OneDrive but its behind a password so everytime I try to export to that I end up generating a PDF of the log in  screen for OneDrive (even while logged in on the browser).  Does anyone know of a Javascript that will allow a non pro user to export out FDF to a mailbox of their choice?  

 

The next issue is importing the FDF from PDF#1 into PDF#2.  The import button feature Mouse Up > Import form data  requires you to select a specific file containing form data. This will not work because the form data file will change names each time and can't be directed to a specific location on my desktop. Is there a script out there that will allow a non DC pro user import an FDF file from a location of their choosing? 

 

I really appreciate any hep or tips i've been searching replies for days. I feel like the submit for review/ editing feature could be the answer but I don't know that non pro users will be able to utilize that feature. 

 

Thanks!

K

2 replies

Thom Parker
Community Expert
Thom ParkerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 26, 2020

Unfortunately, Reader does not allow the export of data without special "Reader Rights". But reader can load data from an FDF.  And if it is done from a privileged script, then there is no problem. 

 

However, what a script in Reader can do is open two PDFs and copy data from one to the other. Would this work for you?

Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often
kirstinf65418680
kirstinf65418680Author
Participant
March 26, 2020

Yes! I didn't know that was an option!

Thom Parker
Community Expert
Thom ParkerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 27, 2020

There are a few different ways of doing this.

1) Copy all the data from one form into the global object, then a script can copy it into any open document. This is good when the data from on form goes to many.

There are paid for scripts for this here:

https://www.pdfscripting.com/public/Form-Data-PreFill-Tool.cfm

 

2) Just use the two open documents. Copy data from the current (front) PDF into the other one. 

Use a loop to go through all the fields on the form

 

var oOtherDoc = (app.activeDocs[0]==this)?app.activeDocs[1]:app.activeDocs[0];

for(var i=0;i<this.numFields;i++)

{ 

     var oFld1 = this.getField(this.getNthFieldName(i));

     var oFld2 = oOtherDoc.getField(this.getNthFieldName(i));

      if(oFld2 && (oFld1.type != "button"))

               oFld1.value  = oFld2.value;

}

 

Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often
P
ProlificUser
Participating Frequently
March 26, 2020

https://helpx.adobe.com/in/acrobat/using/collecting-pdf-form-data.html

kirstinf65418680
kirstinf65418680Author
Participant
March 26, 2020

Wouldn't this still require me to open all of the response files and manipulate them? I need my team to transfer data from one pdf to another with their reader version of adobe without me.

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