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

[kenw11638827]

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.

[try67 · Accepted solution]

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.

[kenw11638827]

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]

You're not using the correct tool. Try this:

Go to Tools > Prepare Form. In the right-hand panel click on More > Export Data.

Then change the file form at "Text file" and save it.

[kenw11638827]

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?

[try67]

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.

[kenw11638827]

Okay.  Why would one use this?  Can you give me an example?  How is it used?

[try67]

Just like a text file, only with more features. For example, if a user added comments to the file that won't appear in the text file, but it will appear in the FDF and therefore will become a part of the file when you import the FDF into it.

Another example is that an FDF file can be set to run a script when imported, which is useful in some scenarios.

[kenw11638827]

Okay, understand the capture of the extra data (better understand comments, not sure what you might want a script to do - an example, if you don't mind, might help).  However, once you make a FDF file, what program will then accept that textual information for conversion?

[try67]

Adobe Acrobat or Reader. Maybe some other PDF viewers, too, if they were built to handle such files.

[kenw11638827]

I don't understand what an FDF is doing for someone if they have the original PDF form, given that they're using Adobe.  Can you give me a scenario?

[try67]

Sure. Imagine a catalog with 100 pages of products and one page at the end where the user can enter which ones they want to order, including prices, quantities, grand total, their address, etc. The file itself can easily be 100MB or more, with images, fonts and so forth.

If each user that wants to make a purchase will have to send back a 100MB file you'll soon be dealing with a lot of very heavy emails, which either won't work at all or cause your inbox to be completely full.

Instead, they can submit just the form data as an FDF file, which is typically less than 100KB. The creator of the form can then take that data and either import it on their end into a single page order and print it out, or import it into a spreadsheet and process it further, etc.

[kenw11638827]

Okay, thanks!  In that scenario, I'm guessing the 100MB file is hosted on the web??  Otherwise, they'll have to receive it via email...  Anyway, much appreciate the assistance!

[try67]

Yeah, it can be hosted on a web-server, or shared via something like Google Drive.

[elendil84]

Can I set a button with mouse click event for exporting the tab-delimited text file with custom name and direcory just like saveAsPdf function? Thanks!