How to automate digital signature boxes ?

[okboo_7867]

My boss was telling me that he has a form and he gave the form to someone to create the digital signature boxes and it took them 20 mins to finish the entire thing. I was wondering how we can automate this to streamline the process and save time? I did came across a few posts but it does not neccessarily addresses my query. Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

[S. S]

Hello @okboo_7867!

Thank you for reaching out regarding automating digital signature boxes in Adobe Acrobat Sign. Here are some relevant help articles along with brief explanations for each, which will assist you in streamlining the process:

1. Create and Use Templates: These allow you to save time by having predefined fields, including signature boxes, so you don't have to set them up each time you send a document. More info here: https://helpx.adobe.com/document-cloud/help/create-template.html

2. Using Predefined Fields: This lets you specify where signature boxes and other fields should appear in your forms, ensuring consistency and reducing setup time. More details here: https://helpx.adobe.com/sign/how-to/adobe-adding-form-fields.html.

3. Automate Workflows: By setting up a workflow, you can define the order of signers and the steps required for your documents, making the signing process smoother and more efficient. Learn more: https://helpx.adobe.com/sign/adv-user/send-workflow/overview.html.

4. Using the Bulk Send Feature: This is particularly useful if you need the same signature fields in multiple documents. It allows you to send them in one go instead of individually. Details: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/send-in-bulk.html.

5. API Documentation for Custom Automation:
   If you have development resources, this article provides an overview of the Adobe Sign API. You can use the API to automate the creation and sending of documents, including adding signature fields based on specific triggers. More info here: Acrobat Sign Developer Home (https://adobe.ly/3YlfaDj

These resources should provide you with the information you need to automate the digital signature process effectively. If you have further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to ask!

Regards,  
Souvik

[okboo_7867]

Hi Souvik,

Appreciate the prompt reply,however it seems like none of the above link is working. It is giving me a 404 internal error,is it just on my side?

[S. S]

@okboo_7867,

I have updated the links.

Please check and let me know if they work now.

-Souvik

[okboo_7867]

Thanks Souvik,I do not have adobe acrobat sign,I only have adobe acrobat instead. Are we able to do the above stated in this instead? Or are there alternatives for it??

[S. S]

Hi @okboo_7867,

Steps 1 and 4 should be available with Acrobat Pro DC.

-Souvik

[try67]

Are you aware that you only need to digitally sign a file once? There's no need to sign each page or anything like that.

Adding a signature field and then signing it should take less than a minute.

[okboo_7867]

Yes I understand that,but I want users to sign certain sections of the form which has been completed by student for example within the stated date. 

[PDF Automation Station]

Are you referring to form field signature fields in an Acrobat form?

[okboo_7867]

Yes

[PDF Automation Station]

You can add fields automatically like this:

this.addField("Signature1", "signature", 0, [0, 18, 18,0]);

Where Signature1 is the field name, signature is the field type, 0 is the page number, and [0,18,18,0] is the rect coordinates of the field position.  The last part requires some kind of map as to where the fields go.  The user could use the square annotation as a marker for example the run a script that places a signature field at the same position as the squares, then removes the squares.

[okboo_7867]

Thanks for your advise,but does the users need adobe acrobat or they can just use adobe reader for the above to work?

[PDF Automation Station]

Fields can be created with Reader.

[okboo_7867]

adding on to my previous query,I would like to automate the below signature boxes without the need to resize them and this repetitive task should be automated. Currently doing this on adobe,but not all of my colleagues have this. So I need a way to streamline this,are there any ways? I have tried everyones' way but its not what I am quite looking for,but thank you 🙂

[PDF Automation Station]

I don't see any digital signature fields in our screenshot.  Are the fields in the same location and on the same page all the time?  Your colleagues don't have Adobe?

[okboo_7867]

pls refer to this image instead,as you can see I have to explicitly state in the code I would need 3 signature fields and then it will pop up.I will still need to rearrange the boxes into the signature line for example. My colleagues only have access to reader. 

[PDF Automation Station]

Since your colleagues have reader, they can use the text markup "square" tool to draw the fields exactly where they need them.  This script will replace them with signature fields:

if(this.getAnnots())
{
var anot=this.getAnnots();
for(var i=anot.length-1;i>-1;i--)//This line was modified
{
if(anot[i].type=="Square")
{
var rc=anot[i].rect;
this.addField("Signature"+i+1,"signature",anot[i].page,[rc[0],rc[3],rc[2],rc[1]]);
anot[i].destroy();
}}}

In Acrobat, the script can run from the console, a custom menu item, or a custom toolbar button.  This is the same for Reader, except there is no UI to open the console.  I developed a free menu item to open the console in Reader that you can download here (free membership required in order to download):

https://www.pdfautomationstation.com/public/Reader-And-The-Javascript-Console.cfm

I developed a (paid for) tool for creating custom toolbar buttons.

[okboo_7867]

Hello,

thanks for your inputs,I am not sure if I am doing this correctly? I wished this feature had a free trial so I can do it and show it to my boss to procure it as an investment.

[PDF Automation Station]

Yes that looks correct if you copied and pasted my script.  You have to highlight the entire script inside that window then press the Enter key on your number keypad, or Ctrl + Enter if you don't have a number keypad.  I don't have a free trial but I support the product and it works exactly like the video.

[okboo_7867]

thank you for helping out,I managed to get it working,however it only creates one signature box. 

[try67]

If you destroy elements in a loop then you should run it backwards, from the last element to the first.

[PDF Automation Station]

Good point. @okboo_7867 I modified the script I provided.

[PDF Automation Station]

See modification to the script.

[try67]

Not critical, but I would change the name parameter to:

"Signature"+(i+1)

[PDF Automation Station]

I though about that.  So the number doesn't concatenate?