How can you duplicate pages without having the fields read each other?

[lizareed5]

I have a 2-page form that needs to be repeated 14 times (making it 28 pages long in total). Instead of creating the fields 13 more times, I tried to duplicate the pages, but then realized that makes all of the editable fields repeat once you type something in. I've been googling and reading community threads for a while now and seem to only get halfway there. I understand there is a way to do it by creating page templates, but I that isn't working. And people have said that I need to enter in javascript code, which I do not know how to do either.

Can anyone help with a user-friendly solution? Thank you!!

[Thom Parker]

In "Prepare Form" mode, Select all the fields you want duplicated and right click to show the popup menu. Towards the bottom there is an option for duplicating across pages.

[lizareed5]

Thank you! I just tried that and the fields still read one another though.

[Thom Parker]

Wow, I didn't test it. Sorry about that. I Just figured that if Adobe went through the trouble of making a function to specifically duplicate across pages that it would rename them. Makes that feature kind of useless doesn't it.

I guess Try67's tool is the only option.

[try67]

You can do it very easily using this tool I've developed: Custom-made Adobe Scripts: Acrobat -- Duplicate Page (including Form Fields)

[JR Boulay]

You need to have the same fields on each page BUT each one must have an unique name, otherwise they share their content.

When you right-click on a field in Acrobat Pro, you can:

"Duplicate across pages" : does what it says, without renaming fields.

"Create multiple copies" : does what it says and rename fields, but only on one page.

So:

- Create a big sized blank new PDF, let's say an A0 format (you can use this free tool).

- Cut and paste all your fields into this new PDF.

- Select all fields : Right-clic : Create 14 multiple copies (this is why you need a big sized PDF).

- Cut and paste each of the 14 group of renamed fields into your 14 pages.

[George_Johnson]

As you mentioned, setting up a template and executing a simple script is an option. When you first set up each of the initial pages as a template page, you'll give each a name, such as P1 and P2. You can then execute the following JavaScript code in the interactive JavaScript console (Ctrl+J) to create 13 additional copies of P1 and P2. The fields will be renamed so they are independent.

// JavaScript to create duplicate pages from templates P1 and P2

var num_copies = 13;  // Set the number of copies here

var T1 = getTemplate("P1");  // Use the actual tempate name here

var T2 = getTemplate("P2");  // Use the actual tempate name here

if (num_copies > 0) {

    var oXObjT1 = T1.spawn({nPage: numPages, bRename: true, bOverlay: false});

    var oXObjT2 = T2.spawn({nPage: numPages, bRename: true, bOverlay: false});

    if (num_copies > 1) {

        for (var i = 1; i < num_copies; i += 1) {

            T1.spawn({nPage: numPages, bRename: true, bOverlay: false, oXObject: oXObjT1});

            T2.spawn({nPage: numPages, bRename: true, bOverlay: false, oXObject: oXObjT2});

        }

    }

}

To execute the code, select it all and press Ctrl+Enter, or Enter on the numeric keypad

[lizareed5]

Thank you! This is making more sense. I really appreciate all of your help!!! It worked!

[lizareed5]

Hi!! You were so helpful last year -- thank you! I have to do this project again this year, and I am a little rusty. Everything is working except that for some reason when I close out of the document and open it back up, the document goes from 28 pages to 54. Even if I delete them, they reappear once I open it back up again. Any ideas? Thank you!!

[try67]

Did you insert the code into the file? You should only use it from the Console window.

[lizareed5]

Yes, I put it in the document javascripts section. I think what's happening is that it's running the script every time I open the file

[try67]

Yes, that is what happens. You don't need to put it there.

[lizareed5]

Oh, whoops! I'm VERY new at this. Where should I put the script so it doesn't do that?

[George_Johnson]

Place it and execute it in the interactive JavaScript console. Press Ctrl+J to open it. More info in my previous reply.

[lizareed5]

Hmmm, I can't seem to figure out the JavaScript console. And my work-arounds still seem to cause the issue. I believe I found a very roundabout way that works. Thank you!!

[try67]

You can also attach the code to the MouseUp event of a button field, click it and then delete the field.

[Grady93]

Hi there, 

I have multiple drop down fields and text fields on the page #1. For some reason when I duplicate the pages with the above code the drop down fields are still linked while the text fields are not. All fields on both pages have unique names and are still linked even if I rename them?

[Bernd Alheit]

Can you share the file?

[peterk87681558]

HELLO, THANKS FOR THE HELPFUL CODE!

EACH TIME I ATTEMPT TO RUN THIS CODE, I RECEIVE THE FOLOWING MESSAGE:

TypeError: T1 is null
11:Console:Exec
undefined

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? 

P.S. i AM ATTEMPTING THIS CODE WITH A SINGLE PAGE TEMPLATE.

[try67]

It means there's no Template object with the name you provided.

[peterk87681558]

Okay, i figured out how to make the document a template, but now the Java is telling me 

"undfined" 

I only have a single page to duplicate, so I removed the "T2" fields, did this screw me up?

[Bernd Alheit]

When you get only "undefined" then it is OK.

[try67]

When a script returns "undefined" it's not an error, quite the opposite. It means it finished executing without any errors, but also without returning any values.

[jcc2747]

Hi, I need to duplicate pages in a form and the client wants a "Duplicate Page" button on these particular pages. So far, I've made a template page, added a "duplicate page" button to the form page I need to replicate, and added your code into the Actions section of the button properties. The button does duplicate the page, which is awesome! It doesnt rename the fields but each page still seems to responds independantly, which seems weird but I'm not complaining!  🙂

[try67]

If bRename is set to true the fields will be renamed on the spawned pages.