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Lucas5CD3
Inspiring
February 1, 2021
Answered

How to export rows of Excel data into different fillable PDF forms?

  • February 1, 2021
  • 2 replies
  • 11315 views

Hello!

I'm trying to modernise my workplace a bit. I work in research and collect data manually with a form.

My handwriting isn't great so this has lead to problems in the past.

I've managed to convert this form into a fillable PDF, so I could use this file and fill it in on my laptop and then save it manually for each form, to print it at a later time. This is a little more efficient than writing everything by hand, but I would like to improve even more.

You see, in this method I still have to select each field with the mouse and then write it separately. I reckon it would be more efficient to write everything on one row in Excel, defining the same variables I have in the fillable PDF and then exporting it to a new PDF file.

Additionally: I would like to know if there's a way to stack the exportation, so if I have many rows, export these in one go and have all the required PDF's generated in a designated folder.

Is this possible to do in Excel and Acrobat? Or is perhaps Access a better program for my interests?

I read online that it should be possible, but I haven't managed to make it work. Also, how would I fill out checkboxes in the fillable PDF, importing data from Excel?

Depending on where I collect data I would like to make separate Excel files, in case one place only accounts for some of the variables the form requires. Again, to lessen unnecessary scrolling through the Excel file.

 

There are a lot more aspects I would like to improve upon, but this on its own would make my work a lot more pleasant!

If anyone could help me, it would be great!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Lucas5CD3

Can you share the PDF and text file you're using with us?


I think I managed it! I indeed made a silly mistake. Thank you very much for your continued efforts! Next I'm going to try and do the multiple document outputs. I need to test it all a bit, still.

 

2 replies

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Amber3288932036a8
New Participant
June 17, 2024

I am trying to do this same thing.  Pull Excel information onto PDF forms.  Can you share how you did it??

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Lucas5CD3Author
Inspiring
June 17, 2024
I just wound up using a mail merge program. Works like a charm 🙂
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Amber3288932036a8
New Participant
June 18, 2024

Thank you for the information, I am considering the add on Power PDF Filler.  I fill out forms all day and I have to put the information in a excel spreadsheet too.  I looked into the mail merge and I couldnt figure it out.  I have adobe editor and the microsoft office.  Is Mail Merger an addin option ??

try67
try67
Community Expert
February 1, 2021

Yes, it's possible. The basic process would be to create an Excel file with all the names of the fields in the first row and their corresponding values in the second, third, etc. You would then need to save the file as a tab-delimited text file and then you'll be able to import one row at a time. If you want to import multiple rows, either into a single file or by generating multiple merged files, it's a process called Mail Merge. You can do it via some of the PDFMaker plugin versions for Office, or by using a script, like this (paid-for) one I've developed: https://www.try67.com/tool/acrobat-mail-merge-and-email-pdf-files

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    Lucas5CD3Author
    Inspiring
    February 1, 2021

    Thank you, I will try this later! Do the variables in the row need to be placed in the same order as one would progress through the fillable PDF file with the TAB-key (so from top to bottom, left to right), or can they be in different orders? Or is there a different way you can assign a cell to a fillable field in the PDF form? And is there a way to check check boxes?

     
    L
    Lucas5CD3Author
    Inspiring
    February 2, 2021

    In Prepare Form mode right-click the check-box field, select Properties, and then look under the Options tab:

     

     


    Hello,

    That's good to know! Sorry for my slowness. I checked, it seems to be this setting for each check box. However, I still cannot manage to import the data. Surely I'm missing something obvious, but I can't figure it out.

     
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