Combining Documents Without Form Fields Being Same

Report · Dec 18, 2023

Hi all,

I am trying to make a form that is 10 pages, each page is the exact same form, and I am getting that pesky problem where because the forms are all identical, the form fields for all 10 pages are the same. So, if i type in a text box on page 1, that text is copied on all of the other pages as well. The form also has checkboxes with the same dilemma.

Any solution to fix this other than manually renaming every single field?

Thank you!

Report · Dec 18, 2023

It requires a little trickery, but with practice it can be done in a few minutes.

1. Create a new single-page PDF, the same width as your form (21 cm/595 units for A4) and 10 times higher to simulate the height of 10 pages.
You can use this script in the JS Console :

app.newDoc(595,8420);

2. Copy-paste all the fields from the page 1 of your form to the top of the new PDF.

Select all the fields, right-clic upon anyone and select "Create multiple copies" : 10.

This will duplicate and auto rename each field 10 times.

Please note, however, that "Create multiple copies" is not available when several selected fields have the same name, as is often the case with radio buttons and checkboxes. In this case, keep only one before creating multiple copies.

3. Delete all the fields in the form and copy-paste back the newly created and renamed fields into the new PDF, page by page.

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshoptographe

View solution in original post

Report · Dec 18, 2023

It requires a little trickery, but with practice it can be done in a few minutes.

1. Create a new single-page PDF, the same width as your form (21 cm/595 units for A4) and 10 times higher to simulate the height of 10 pages.
You can use this script in the JS Console :

app.newDoc(595,8420);

2. Copy-paste all the fields from the page 1 of your form to the top of the new PDF.

Select all the fields, right-clic upon anyone and select "Create multiple copies" : 10.

This will duplicate and auto rename each field 10 times.

Please note, however, that "Create multiple copies" is not available when several selected fields have the same name, as is often the case with radio buttons and checkboxes. In this case, keep only one before creating multiple copies.

3. Delete all the fields in the form and copy-paste back the newly created and renamed fields into the new PDF, page by page.

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshoptographe

Report · Dec 19, 2023

Sorry so I just want to make sure I understand. If i already have the form created, copy all of the fields, then go to create a new PDF and paste them in a new one?

I am using Windows not Mac, so the screenshots from your end are confusing me a little bit. I uploaded the file im working on as well for reference.

Thanks for the help!

Report · Dec 18, 2023

You can duplicate entire pages and have the fields in them be automatically renamed, but it requires using a script.

I've developed a (paid-for) tool that allows you to do it very easily, without having to write any code:

https://www.try67.com/tool/acrobat-duplicate-pages-of-a-pdf-file-including-form-fields