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michelled19159583
michelled19159583
Known Participant
June 27, 2017
Question

Microsoft Access Populating Adobe Acrobat

  • June 27, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 5741 views

Hi,

I am working with acrobat adobe. I am trying to solve a need for my company. Currently we use many different parts throughout the acrobat adobe PDF form.

Example: Part 1(unique_pn_1), Part 1(unique_pn_2), Part 2(unique_pn_3), Part 3(unique_pn_4), Part 1(unique_pn_5), Part 4(unique_pn_5)

As you can see sometimes the parts are reoccurring as the customer may want to buy more than one of something. In the parenthesis I put the unique field form name that is used for each item. Just because an item is the same part number does not mean that it is not unique. It is, and it is accounted for separately from all other parts.

The problem: At the end of the document package I need to keep a running list of the different parts that are used throughout the document. My issue is that some of the part numbers are reoccurring/ occur multiple times. I only want to count them once, however they have a unique field name but, their typable text name will be the same in all field forms.

The master list for the part numbers is stored in a Microsoft access form that is updated through a computer program. How can I lijnk the Microsoft access form to my adobe acrobat and have it populate?

Sorry if this is confusing I am trying to describe it as best as I can.

Anyways, could someone help me write a code for this? Anything helps...

Thanks,

Michelle

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    2 replies

    NKOWA555
    NKOWA555
    Inspiring
    June 27, 2017

    Note: I would avoid using LiveCycle Designer (XFA) forms unless you need the functionality of a LiveCycle PDF form. Acrobat PDFs are more compatible across multiple platforms and end users.

    XFA forms come in two flavors; static (which is more like Acrobat PDFs), and dynamic XFA (which can grow or shrink depending on the data). Some 3rd party PDF readers may not display dynamic XFA properly. XFA forms are 3D XML structures (forms within forms), and it may be more difficult to directly import 2D data sources such as a tables and rows found in MS Access databases.

    The following opensource software may help you merge a data source (MSSQL, MS Access or XML) with Acrobat PDF or static XFA form on a web server or windows application:

    www.fdftoolkit.net/examples/

      michelled19159583
      michelled19159583Author
      Known Participant
      June 28, 2017

      Hi NKOWA555,

      I can't seem to figure out the website that you posted the link to? Do you have any other information?

      Thanks,

      Michelle

      NKOWA555
      NKOWA555
      Inspiring
      June 28, 2017

      If you are running ASP.net on a local or remote web server, you can setup an ASP.net script to merge a blank Acrobat PDF with a MS Access record and output the PDF to the browser's buffer. This method requires some programming knowledge. If you can't do it yourself, you can hire a professional developer such as myself.

        try67
        Community Expert
        try67Community Expert
        Community Expert
        June 27, 2017

        I don't quite understand the need for the external data source... It's possible to use a script to collect all the values from those fields and then convert them to a list of unique values.

        At any rate, you can't connect an Acrobat PDF form directly to an Access DB. It is possible to read plain-text data, though, so if you could export the values from your DB to a plain-text file then it would be possible, but again, I'm not seeing why that would be necessary for what you've described.

        michelled19159583
        michelled19159583Author
        Known Participant
        June 27, 2017

        Hi,

        I also have access to Adobe Designer. I am thinking that this will be better to connect my PDF to my MS access.

        Hi try67-

        Basically I have a huge PDF fillable packet that people building the parts actually fill out. Then, within our office there is an electronic system that keeps track of specific machine parts that are used for testing. This electronic system also outputs a Microsoft access file. During the inspection process of a part, the inspector will then fill in their part of the PDF packet which is called the inspection sheet. On the inspection sheet there is space for the inspector to write down which tester parts were used to test the specific part that is going to be sold. There are 3,618 different tester parts currently in our manufacturing plant. Once the inspection types in the tester part, I want at the bottom of the inspection report a list of all the different part testers to appear. I also want their description, calibrate due date, and calibration date to populate from the Microsoft access form.

        So sorry if this is confusing, I am trying to explain the best way I can. I understand that this system is not efficient and that there are better ways to do this. However, my company is doing the best it can with t he resources it has. Any comments or thoughts help.

        Thanks,

        Michelle

        michelled19159583
        michelled19159583Author
        Known Participant
        June 27, 2017

        The tester parts are constantly changing their calibration dates so that is why I do not want to create a specific list of values.

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