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codye41784913
Known Participant
November 15, 2018
Answered

How to combine multiple forms into one PDF?

  • November 15, 2018
  • 3 replies
  • 6618 views

I have created a form and sent it out to many users.  They submit the form back to me and I need to combine many into one PDF.  Since they share the same field name, it wants to merge the information.  In order to prevent that, it suggest creating a PDF Portfolio.  If I do that after combining the files it launches the Portfolio but I see nothing other than an Adobe Logo suggesting the best way to view Portfolio is with Reader (which I have) and an action tab to get Adobe Reader. 

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Cody

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer try67

Yes, it's called flattening. Once you flatten the form the fields turn into static contents and you could merge multiple files without losing data.

3 replies

codye41784913
Known Participant
November 15, 2018

So as I work through this I am able to combine forms and save as a portfolio.  Unfortunately, portfolio limits my functionality.  I am unable to view the entire contents as one document, and limits my printing options.  Furthermore, if I try to delete unwanted pages before combining into the portfolio that's when I get the Adobe screen with the "Get Reader" action button.  For whatever reason if I do not delete any pages then it will combine into a portfolio.

So in essentially, back to square one, sorta.  Once I get the forms submitted to me, is there any way to make it so that that pdf is no longer recognized as a form.  That way I can combine them into a pdf without merging the fields? 

try67
try67Correct answer
Braniac
November 15, 2018

Yes, it's called flattening. Once you flatten the form the fields turn into static contents and you could merge multiple files without losing data.

try67
Braniac
November 18, 2018

I have not done any work with Javascript before.  I will look for some reference material to see how to utilize JavaScript.  To most I am sure it is elementary but its not something I am familiar with.


The code I gave you is all you need, really.

What you should look into is how to use run an Action... Basically you just need to go to Tools - Action Wizard, create a new Action and add to it one command that executes that JavaScript code and one that saves the file (under the same name, or a different one). Then you run the Action on your files, and that's it pretty much...

codye41784913
Known Participant
November 15, 2018

Sorry.... appears to be a simple fix.  I am currently downloading Acrobat XI with my archaic internet so in 20 min or so I should have this problem solved. 

codye41784913
Known Participant
November 15, 2018

That didn't.  Adobe recognized I already have a higher functioning Acrobat and terminated the install..... 

Bernd Alheit
Braniac
November 15, 2018

Open the file in Acrobat Reader.

codye41784913
Known Participant
November 15, 2018

All it shows is an Adobe logo with the action button to get Reader.