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itr35900565
Participant
September 5, 2018
Answered

Print out date on PDF files using javascript - not updating

  • September 5, 2018
  • 1 reply
  • 4160 views

Hi,

We're using Adobe Acrobat Standard 2017 and need to get the print out date on some PDF's. In earlier versions it was easy to add the script and the date was updated when file opened. Now we can not get this to work.

This is what we've done:

  • Create the PDF
  • Click Prepare Form
  • Add a text field called "Today"
  • Changed properties for text field
  • Calculate - Custom calculation script
    This is the script we used: var f = this.getField("Today");f.value = util.printd("yyyy/mm/dd", new Date ());

The date and time appear but it is not updated, it remain the same date and time as when the properties for the text field were applied.

Anyone have any idea why and how this can be solved? Not needed to use JavaScript, putting date in footer is also a solution but we've tried also this With same result, date is static, not dynamic.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer try67

You need to place the code as a doc-level script, so that it will execute each time the file is opened. A calculation script is only executed when the value of any field in the file is changed, not when the file is opened. Unfortunately for you, the Standard version of Acrobat doesn't give you (direct) access to doc-level scripts, but you can get around it by executing this code from the JS Console:

this.addScript("load", "this.getField(\"Today\").value = util.printd(\"yyyy/mm/dd\", new Date());");

1 reply

try67
Community Expert
try67Community ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
September 5, 2018

You need to place the code as a doc-level script, so that it will execute each time the file is opened. A calculation script is only executed when the value of any field in the file is changed, not when the file is opened. Unfortunately for you, the Standard version of Acrobat doesn't give you (direct) access to doc-level scripts, but you can get around it by executing this code from the JS Console:

this.addScript("load", "this.getField(\"Today\").value = util.printd(\"yyyy/mm/dd\", new Date());");
I
itr35900565Author
Participant
September 5, 2018

Thanks try67 for your answer.

Just one question: how do I access the JS console in my version (Adobe Acrobat Standard 2017). Ctrl+J do not bring up ythe console and I can not find it in any menu.

I
itr35900565Author
Participant
September 5, 2018

If it doesn't work you can use a button field with the following code:

console.show();


Did the trick!

Thanks!

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