Copying contents of PDF file onto a canva template

[Senoj Tech]

Hello!

I want to copy the formatting and fields of a PDF form and paste it on another PDF form. How can I achieve this and capture all formatting including numbers and underlines that are housed in text boxes? Is this possible?

Thank you so much!

[PDF Automation Station]

In form editing mode, press Ctrl + a (select all) then Ctrl + c (copy).  In the 2nd PDF press Ctrl +v (paste).

[Thom Parker]

Do you mean interactive form fields? or are you asking about copying page content?

[Senoj Tech]

Thank you so much!!

[Senoj Tech]

Yes! I was referring to copying interactive form fields that are part of the page content.

[Thom Parker]

In a PDF, page content is a very different thing from interactive form fields. 

Watch this video:

https://www.pdfscripting.com/public/FreeStuff/AcroForm_Concepts/Part1g_WhatsPDF_mp4.cfm

Start at the 5 minute mark.

Form fields and other annotations can be copied from one PDF to another in Acrobat using the "Select Object" tool.  Just select, copy, switch to another PDF and paste. 

Content on the other hand is an odd one.  If you are modifying PDF content, then you should modify the original design document that was converted to the PDF, instead of modifying the PDF itself. 

You can easily merge PDFs and copy whole pages from one PDF to another, but copying individual parts of a PDF page can be problematic, and could destroy the PDF.   There are techniques for copying certain kinds of content. 

What exactly are you trying to do?

[Senoj Tech]

Thank you so much for that explanation, Thom! I used the select object tool to easily copy form fields from one pdf to the other. Before seeing your post here I decided I needed to update my original document with any individual or part changes as editing the PDF was a nightmare. I should design my original document understanding changes will need to be made on the original. 

Then, how would I update my original document and bring those changes over without starting from scratch on the pdf side? Or, how can I upload changes from my original document and maintain my PDF form fields as they were?

[PDF Automation Station]

Open the pages panel, right-click a page and select "Replace Pages".  This replaces the graphics and text of the PDF but leaves the form fields as is.

[Senoj Tech]

THAT WAS SO COOL!  It worked perfectly. Thank you so very much!!