Hello,
I have received a document for formatting. The client wants me to add trackers to the PDF. He sent specific instructions such as:
Typesetter Instructions for Hidden Trackers
All hidden trackers will be placed in the following locations:
-Footer, below page number
-Following the period ending the last sentence of Scope
-HIDDEN COLOR MUST BE ZERO PERCENT BLACK
-Codes for each group are as follows:
ANSI Code: xxxxxx
Name with document designation and distributor name (e.g., document_name_ansi.pdf)
CEI Code: xxxxx
Name with document designation and distributor name (e.g., document_name_cei.pdf)
And there are more codes to be added.
I never worked with trackers in PDF. I am not tech-savvy when it comes to working with scripts, HTML, or other similar tools.
I need some help with that.
Thank you very much.
Sebastian
By McDVOICE @sebdea
Hi Sebastian,
It sounds like you're in a bit of a tricky spot, especially since you're new to adding trackers and aren't comfortable with scripting.
Let's break down what your client is asking for and how you can approach it without getting into complex coding:
Understanding "Hidden Trackers"
When your client mentions "hidden trackers" with "zero percent black" color, they're essentially asking you to embed text into the PDF that is invisible to the human eye when printed or viewed normally. This text acts as a unique identifier for each version of the document distributed.
The codes (like ANSI Code: xxxxxx and CEI Code: xxxxx) are the actual "trackers" that need to be inserted. The document designation and distributor name (e.g., document_name_ansi.pdf) are likely part of the content of these trackers, indicating which version of the document it is and who received it.
Why "Zero Percent Black"?
"Zero percent black" means the text should be set to a color value that makes it transparent or invisible. In most design and PDF editing software, this would translate to:
RGB: (0, 0, 0) with 0% opacity/alpha, or
CMYK: (0%, 0%, 0%, 0%)
If you can't set the opacity to 0%, the alternative is to make the text color exactly the same as the background color (which is usually white for PDFs). However, the "zero percent black" instruction strongly suggests making the text transparent.
How to Add These Trackers (No Scripting Required)
Since you're not comfortable with scripts, you'll need to use a PDF editing software that allows you to manipulate text and its properties directly. Adobe Acrobat Pro is the industry standard for this type of work and is the most likely tool you'll need.
Here's a step-by-step approach:
Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro (or similar professional PDF editor): This is crucial as standard PDF readers won't allow you to edit the document content in this way.
Add the Footer Tracker:
Navigate to the footer area of your document.
Use the "Edit PDF" tool (or similar text editing tool in your software) to add a new text box or edit an existing one in the footer.
Carefully type or paste the full ANSI or CEI code, along with the name/designation/distributor information, exactly as your client specifies.
Position this text below the page number as instructed.
Add the "Scope" Section Tracker:
Locate the last sentence of the "Scope" section.
Use the "Edit PDF" tool to place your cursor immediately after the period ending that last sentence.
Insert the specific code for that group at this exact location.
Make the Text "Hidden" (Zero Percent Black): This is the most critical part for making the trackers invisible.
After adding the text for each tracker, select the newly added text.
Go to the "Properties" panel (or similar text formatting options).
Find the color picker or color settings for the text.
Look for an opacity or transparency setting. If available, set it to 0%.
If there's no direct opacity setting, try to set the CMYK color values to 0% for all four (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). This effectively makes the text transparent.
Alternatively, and as a last resort, if neither of the above works, set the text color to white (RGB: 255, 255, 255). However, this only hides it if the background is also white and might be detectable if the PDF is viewed on a non-white background or if text selection is used. The client's instruction of "zero percent black" strongly points to true transparency.
Repeat for All Codes: Go through your client's list of codes and their corresponding locations, repeating steps 2-4 for each.
Save the Document: Save your PDF with a new name as specified by your client (e.g., document_name_ansi.pdf, document_name_cei.pdf). You'll likely need to create a separate PDF for each code/distributor combination if the client's naming convention implies distinct files.
Important Considerations:
Software Requirement: You absolutely need a professional PDF editing tool like Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. Free PDF readers or basic editors typically won't have the functionality to edit text with such specific color and opacity controls.
Text Selectability: Even though the text is hidden, it might still be selectable if a user highlights the area where it's placed. This is generally acceptable for hidden trackers, as the goal is to embed the information, not to make it impossible to find for someone actively looking.
Verification: After you've added the trackers and saved the PDF, it's a good idea to open the file yourself and try to select text in those areas to confirm the hidden text is there (even if you can't see it).
What to Do If You Don't Have Adobe Acrobat Pro:
If you don't have access to Adobe Acrobat Pro, you have a few options:
Ask your client: Explain that you need a professional PDF editing tool for this task and ask if they can provide access or suggest an alternative workflow.
Purchase or Subscribe: If this is a recurring task, investing in Adobe Acrobat Pro might be necessary. They offer monthly subscriptions.
Explore Alternatives (with caution): While there are some online PDF editors or other software, they often lack the precise control and reliability of Acrobat Pro, especially for advanced features like setting text opacity to 0%.
2
Replies
Hello,
I have received a document for formatting. The client wants me to add trackers to the PDF. He sent specific instructions such as:
Typesetter Instructions for Hidden Trackers
All hidden trackers will be placed in the following locations:
-Footer, below page number
-Following the period ending the last sentence of Scope
-HIDDEN COLOR MUST BE ZERO PERCENT BLACK
-Codes for each group are as follows:
ANSI Code: xxxxxx
Name with document designation and distributor name (e.g., document_name_ansi.pdf)
CEI Code: xxxxx
Name with document designation and distributor name (e.g., document_name_cei.pdf)
And there are more codes to be added.
I never worked with trackers in PDF. I am not tech-savvy when it comes to working with scripts, HTML, or other similar tools.
I need some help with that.
Thank you very much.
Sebastian
By McDVOICE @sebdea
Hi Sebastian,
It sounds like you're in a bit of a tricky spot, especially since you're new to adding trackers and aren't comfortable with scripting.
Let's break down what your client is asking for and how you can approach it without getting into complex coding:
Understanding "Hidden Trackers"
When your client mentions "hidden trackers" with "zero percent black" color, they're essentially asking you to embed text into the PDF that is invisible to the human eye when printed or viewed normally. This text acts as a unique identifier for each version of the document distributed.
The codes (like ANSI Code: xxxxxx and CEI Code: xxxxx) are the actual "trackers" that need to be inserted. The document designation and distributor name (e.g., document_name_ansi.pdf) are likely part of the content of these trackers, indicating which version of the document it is and who received it.
Why "Zero Percent Black"?
"Zero percent black" means the text should be set to a color value that makes it transparent or invisible. In most design and PDF editing software, this would translate to:
RGB: (0, 0, 0) with 0% opacity/alpha, or
CMYK: (0%, 0%, 0%, 0%)
If you can't set the opacity to 0%, the alternative is to make the text color exactly the same as the background color (which is usually white for PDFs). However, the "zero percent black" instruction strongly suggests making the text transparent.
How to Add These Trackers (No Scripting Required)
Since you're not comfortable with scripts, you'll need to use a PDF editing software that allows you to manipulate text and its properties directly. Adobe Acrobat Pro is the industry standard for this type of work and is the most likely tool you'll need.
Here's a step-by-step approach:
Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro (or similar professional PDF editor): This is crucial as standard PDF readers won't allow you to edit the document content in this way.
Add the Footer Tracker:
Navigate to the footer area of your document.
Use the "Edit PDF" tool (or similar text editing tool in your software) to add a new text box or edit an existing one in the footer.
Carefully type or paste the full ANSI or CEI code, along with the name/designation/distributor information, exactly as your client specifies.
Position this text below the page number as instructed.
Add the "Scope" Section Tracker:
Locate the last sentence of the "Scope" section.
Use the "Edit PDF" tool to place your cursor immediately after the period ending that last sentence.
Insert the specific code for that group at this exact location.
Make the Text "Hidden" (Zero Percent Black): This is the most critical part for making the trackers invisible.
After adding the text for each tracker, select the newly added text.
Go to the "Properties" panel (or similar text formatting options).
Find the color picker or color settings for the text.
Look for an opacity or transparency setting. If available, set it to 0%.
If there's no direct opacity setting, try to set the CMYK color values to 0% for all four (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). This effectively makes the text transparent.
Alternatively, and as a last resort, if neither of the above works, set the text color to white (RGB: 255, 255, 255). However, this only hides it if the background is also white and might be detectable if the PDF is viewed on a non-white background or if text selection is used. The client's instruction of "zero percent black" strongly points to true transparency.
Repeat for All Codes: Go through your client's list of codes and their corresponding locations, repeating steps 2-4 for each.
Save the Document: Save your PDF with a new name as specified by your client (e.g., document_name_ansi.pdf, document_name_cei.pdf). You'll likely need to create a separate PDF for each code/distributor combination if the client's naming convention implies distinct files.
Important Considerations:
Software Requirement: You absolutely need a professional PDF editing tool like Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. Free PDF readers or basic editors typically won't have the functionality to edit text with such specific color and opacity controls.
Text Selectability: Even though the text is hidden, it might still be selectable if a user highlights the area where it's placed. This is generally acceptable for hidden trackers, as the goal is to embed the information, not to make it impossible to find for someone actively looking.
Verification: After you've added the trackers and saved the PDF, it's a good idea to open the file yourself and try to select text in those areas to confirm the hidden text is there (even if you can't see it).
What to Do If You Don't Have Adobe Acrobat Pro:
If you don't have access to Adobe Acrobat Pro, you have a few options:
Ask your client: Explain that you need a professional PDF editing tool for this task and ask if they can provide access or suggest an alternative workflow.
Purchase or Subscribe: If this is a recurring task, investing in Adobe Acrobat Pro might be necessary. They offer monthly subscriptions.
Explore Alternatives (with caution): While there are some online PDF editors or other software, they often lack the precise control and reliability of Acrobat Pro, especially for advanced features like setting text opacity to 0%.
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