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TinAthens
New Participant
February 27, 2020
Answered

Batch processing - Search and replace text in several thousand PDF files

  • February 27, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 25116 views

Dear community,

 

my job is to find and replace a text in several thousand PDF files. It is always the same process - the photo shows the desired change. The wording and position of the text is always the same and the files are all in one folder.

 

I have already tried Acrobat and the detour via Illustrator, unfortunately the action does not go through.

 

I hope I have provided all the necessary information and look forward to your answers or solutions.

 

Greetings Tina

    Correct answer Thom Parker

    Here's an article on scripting redaction:

    https://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/auto_redaction_with_javascript/

    This article will be helpful as well:

    https://www.pdfscripting.com/public/PDF-Page-Coordinates.cfm?sd=40

     

     

    2 replies

    JR Boulay
    JR Boulay
    Braniac
    March 20, 2020

    Acrobat Pro's Redact tools can do it easily, without programming or JavaScript.

     

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    Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
    D
    Dave22384896ez5w
    Participating Frequently
    November 6, 2023

    How difficult can it be for Adobe   to just  Add a - replace all-  button?

     

    The interface already was  a crime against humanity , but for more than 26 years not adding a "Replace All button" is damn wrong evil !
    That

      D
      Dig38609456d1d0
      New Participant
      July 15, 2024

      Something tells me the replace all button is not there on purpose

        try67
        try67
        Braniac
        February 27, 2020

        If the text is always in the same location you can use a script to redact the old text and replace if with the new one, either as the overlay text of the redaction or by adding a text field or comment and then flattening the file.

        This will require writing a custom-made script, though.

        T
        TinAthensAuthor
        New Participant
        February 27, 2020
        Thanks for your fast respond! I have already expected that an individual script will be required. I will now investigate the solution and send an update here.

        Many thanks first!
        Thom Parker
        Thom ParkerCorrect answer
        Inspiring
        February 27, 2020

        Here's an article on scripting redaction:

        https://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/auto_redaction_with_javascript/

        This article will be helpful as well:

        https://www.pdfscripting.com/public/PDF-Page-Coordinates.cfm?sd=40

         

         

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