Exporting FORM data and converting it into an ASCII Text Delimited file.

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
June 4, 2018
1 reply
6980 views

Hi. I have a need to export FORM field name and value data and convert it into an ASCII Text Delimited file. I know that Adobe has the distribute and response file functions (using email and their website), but I simply want to do this on a secure computer using my Adobe Acrobat Pro DC application. Kind of disappointed that Adobe doesn't offer that functionality on the desktop client (as part of the Export function - unless I'm missing something - without also exporting everything else on the form...). I know this can be accomplished with JavaScript. Anyone have an example coded routine to do this (I have some programming experience, although it's been a while) or a better workaround? I did see on some website that PDFill PDF Form Filler might do the trick, but I don't know if I want to trust it.

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Correct answer try67

Of course it's possible with Acrobat. Go to Tools and search for "export". It's a function called "Export form data" or just "Export data".

In the window that opens change the file type to a text file and you'll get a plain-text tab-delimited file with two rows: Field names in the first and their values in the second.

try67

Correct answer

Community Expert

Of course it's possible with Acrobat. Go to Tools and search for "export". It's a function called "Export form data" or just "Export data".

In the window that opens change the file type to a text file and you'll get a plain-text tab-delimited file with two rows: Field names in the first and their values in the second.

kenw11638827Author

Participating Frequently

I appreciate your attempt to help, but I can't duplicate your advice. I'm using Acrobat Pro DC (latest version) and one would think that the Export capability would work as you describe, but it doesn't for me (at least for this document - which is an application). I select the Export tool, then have to choose amongst various formats. If I choose "More Formats", it then gives choices of Rich Text Format, Encapsulated Postscript, Postscript, Text (Accessible), Text (Plain), and XML 1.0. I've tried all but the postscript options, and they all provide me ALL of the text on my PDF file (not the two lines of field names and values). It does NOT provide me the option to just export the form data, as best I can tell. When Text (Plain) is selected, it actually has a settings options (looks like a gear symbol) with choices of "Use mapping table default" (which is the default setting), UTF-8, UTF- 16, UCS-4, and ISO-Latin-1. I've tried the default (which sounds like it might be correct) and UTF-8.

Before I posted this, I called Adobe directly, and the person helping me wasn't aware of anything besides the distribute method. That doesn't necessarily mean anything because I'm finding "technical support" for various companies is a mixed bag, and the first person you contact often doesn't know much and can give out wrong information. I've found that with my new laptop OEM (HP) and two different external monitor companies (LG and Acer).

So, I'm still looking for answers, please! Thanks.

try67

Community Expert

Thanks!!!! I couldn't imagine Adobe not providing this capability, but they sure did a great job of hiding it.... I spent LOTS of hours trying to figure this out and it seemed like the Adobe online guidance just wanted to take me down the distribute path... Crazy. They should also provide this same data only export functionality in the Export tool (which is very obvious to find)….

Can you explain what the purpose of the *.fdf file format and how it might be used?

An FDF file is the internal format created by Adobe for transferring PDF form and annotation data. It's not just plain-text values, but can include scripts, images, comments display properties, etc.

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