Directly edit PDF Javascript

[Posi22452763xpju]

Hello everyone -- I can code in Java and Javascripting has been fairly simple within the GUI, however for some things (especially repeated changes) I would prefer to directly edit/create a PDF form using javascript.  Is there any way to 'talk to' an acrobat PDF to change it directly? Or to view the full javascript of the PDF object?

Thanks!

[try67]

You need to clearly define what you mean by "change it directly". A script within Acrobat is very limited in what it can do to a PDF file.

[Posi22452763xpju]

I mean that I would be able to write a script to view the underlying JavaScript used to create the entire PDF.  Then I could simply modify from the JavaScript.  (Or a button such as File -> export JavaScript but I don't think that exists)

[try67]

PDF files are not created using JS (in 99% of cases), so no, you can't do that.

[Thom Parker]

I think that you are operating under some bad assumptions about the nature of PDF.

Here are a couple of video tutorials that explain exactly what a PDF is, and it's relationship to JavaScript.

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

https://www.pdfscripting.com/public/images/Free_Videos/BeginJS_InAcrobat_Free_mp4.cfm

[Thom Parker]

If I understand you correctly, you want to use a script to modify scripts in a PDF. If true, then the answer is Yes, but you'll need to learn a bit about programming in JavaScript. 

You can start by reading this:

https://www.pdfscripting.com/public/Editing-Fields-Properties.cfm?sd=40#JScript

and watch the videos here on scripting:

https://www.pdfscripting.com/public/Free_Videos.cfm#JSIntro