A script to automate setting the destination for a bookmark in Acrobat

[BartHoeksel]

Hello,

I frequently use a bookmark at the top of the Bookmarks List to store the position I stopped reading the last time I was in the document.

You do that by first making the bookmark (I called it "HIER"), and then right-clicking the bookmark, selecting "Set Destination" what connects the current page with the bookmark.

Is there a way I can automate this or designate this in a script to a button?

[try67 · Accepted solution]

Actually, if you wanted to, you could place that code under a different bookmark and call it "Save Position" or something. It could be just after "HIER" or the last one in the list, or anywhere else. When you click it it will update the HIER bookmark.

[try67]

A script can only set the action of a bookmark to a script. If you don't mind that then yes, it's possible.

You can achieve it by executing this JavaScript code:

if (this.bookmarkRoot.children==null || (this.bookmarkRoot.children!=null && this.bookmarkRoot.children[0].name!="HIER"))
	this.bookmarkRoot.createChild("HIER", "this.pageNum = " + this.pageNum, 0);
else this.bookmarkRoot.children[0].setAction("this.pageNum = " + this.pageNum);

 The code will edit an existing bookmark, or create it if it doesn't exist.

[BartHoeksel]

OK Try67,

Thank you for your answer.

I have added the script to the bookmark, 

Finished with twice OK.

Now how do I run this script, so the bookmark "HIER" receives the current page as Destiny?

Do I double-click the bookmark? In that case the script changes to:

(forgive me my ignorance, but I've never worked with script in Acrobat before)

[try67]

Sorry, I wasn't clear enough. That script should not go under the bookmark, because it will get overwritten, as you saw.

You could run it from the JS Console, for example, or even from a menu item or toolbar icon (although you'll need to adjust it a bit and place it in a .js file on the local computer).

[BartHoeksel]

OK ThanX, I'll look into that.

[try67 · Accepted solution]

Actually, if you wanted to, you could place that code under a different bookmark and call it "Save Position" or something. It could be just after "HIER" or the last one in the list, or anywhere else. When you click it it will update the HIER bookmark.

[BartHoeksel]

Well Try67,

I have found the Custom Tools pane and have added the script succesfuly
(added this.zoomType = zoomtype.fitW; too while doing it)
so I am 98% happy (wish I didn't have to confirm the script every time).

ThanX for your help!

[BartHoeksel]

Actually have worked out your last suggestion too and that indeed works as a sincle click
(makes  me100% HAPPY):

ThanX again!

[try67]

Graag gedaan!

[BartHoeksel]

Any idea, by the way, how I should tweek this script so the result is that the Zoom 150 line becomes part of the HIER output script? I've come to various approaches but no success yet.
This is the current script:

/* Set Current position to HIER */
if (this.bookmarkRoot.children==null || (this.bookmarkRoot.children!=null && this.bookmarkRoot.children[0].name!="HIER"))
this.bookmarkRoot.createChild("HIER", "this.pageNum = " + this.pageNum, "this.zoom = 150", 0);
else this.bookmarkRoot.children[0].setAction("this.pageNum = " + this.pageNum);

I have added "this.zoom = 150",  but that doesn't show up in the HIER (result) script:

this.pageNum = 60

[try67]

It has to be a part of the same string, like this:

"this.pageNum = " + this.pageNum + "; this.zoom = 150;"

[BartHoeksel]

Yes, I tried that, but it doesn't work...

This script

does this:

which should be:

to work...

[try67]

You have to make the same adjustment to the last line of code, too.

[try67]

[This was a reply I sent to another thread. Don't know why it ended up here...]

[BartHoeksel · Accepted solution]

Got it... This does the trick:

for who wants to try:

/* Set Current position to HIER */
if (this.bookmarkRoot.children==null || (this.bookmarkRoot.children!=null && this.bookmarkRoot.children[0].name!="HIER"))
this.bookmarkRoot.createChild("HIER", "this.pageNum = " + this.pageNum + ";\nthis.zoom = 150;", 0);
else this.bookmarkRoot.children[0].setAction("this.pageNum = " + this.pageNum + ";\nthis.zoom = 150;");

[Thomas2817702455aq]

hey Try, are you saying that the bookmark's Mouse Up Action cannot be changed from "Run JavaScript" to "Go To Page"/fixed destination via automation? 

[Thom Parker]

The Acrobat JavaScript model does not provide functionality for setting any kind of event action to one of the built-in Action types. It can only set an event action to a script. 

See the Reference 

https://opensource.adobe.com/dc-acrobat-sdk-docs/library/jsapiref/JS_API_AcroJS.html#id642

[Thomas2817702455aq]

thanks, Thom. Appreciate your insight. 

[try67]

No, not with a script, but it can be automated outside of Acrobat, using a stand-alone tool, like this (paid-for) one I've developed: https://www.try67.com/tool/convert-javascript-links-to-real-links

[Thom Parker]

You do know that this solution will only work in Acrobat Pro? And just in general it's not a good solution to modify document structure to save something like the current position. 

A more general solution would use either the global object or a form field. Both of which are intended to be modified in Reader.