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Answered

Create .fdf file

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
March 2, 2018
5 replies
23273 views

Hi. I need to create a .fdf file with data from a .txt file or an excel file to allow me to import data into forms. The only joy I have had is being able to export the data from acrobat, but not creating a .fdf file from another source. Thanks for any light you can shine on this.

Correct answer Thom Parker

There is of course the Acrobat Forms Data Format (FDF) Toolkit

But there are no applications for just generating FDF files, except of course Acrobat.

You could write an Acrobat script to read the data out of the text file and use Acrobat to create FDF files. This is exactly the type of thing I do, so send me a message if you're interested. You can contact me by sending a message through www.pdfscripting.com

BwanaBawb

Participant

I create them using a custom Java program.
The file format is text (i.e., readable), but is completely syntax specific - like all computer instructions.
Open one up and take a look at it.
For the most part it's copy/paste.
But, fieldnames and data fields are what get modified from one FDF to another, at least for a given PDF Form.
Within this page is the format for creating an FDF file.
https://appligent.com/docs-fdfmerge

Abambo

Community Expert

Is that a for free or for pay software.

ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer

BwanaBawb

Participant

It's a trivial piece of software embedded in a custom Java program.

e.g., LastName & FirstName refers to editable data fields in MyName.pdf.
(all other text remains the same):

%FDF-1.2
1 0 obj
<<

/FDF
<<

/Fields
[
<</T(FirstName) /V(Joe)>>
<</T(LastName) /V(Cool)>>
]
/F(MyName.pdf)
>>
>>
endobj
trailer
<</Root 1 0 R>>
%%EOF

S

stanleydenman

Known Participant

No this question was not solved, I don't think. That is, suggesting someone buy your product is not answering the question.

Thom Parker

Community Expert

What do you mean? The FDF toolkit is free.

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

A

ashleys@acumen2.net

Participant

The link that you posted doesn't actually show you HOW to do it without a membership...

Thom Parker

Community Expert

Here is another resource that shows how to import data into a PDF:

https://www.pdfscripting.com/public/ExcelAndAcrobat.cfm

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

try67

Community Expert

FDF files are not easy to work with. You can import form data in the form of a tab-delimited text file, though. That's much easier.

Thom Parker

Correct answer

Community Expert

There is of course the Acrobat Forms Data Format (FDF) Toolkit

But there are no applications for just generating FDF files, except of course Acrobat.

You could write an Acrobat script to read the data out of the text file and use Acrobat to create FDF files. This is exactly the type of thing I do, so send me a message if you're interested. You can contact me by sending a message through www.pdfscripting.com

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

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