Transferring Data from one PDF directly to another PDF

[jwpotter]

I am trying to create a folder  that people can use in completing numerous individual forms either for themselves or others. The folder contains  a PDF memo with instructions and blank copies of the various fillable PDF forms.

Typically each type form must be comleted several times with different information. However, all forms contain some identical data.

I would like the user to be able to enter the common information once, and for it to be transfered into all the  forms. 

The best I have come up with is to put the common  fillable blanks at the end of the introductory memo with an export button. The button exports the data in an FDF file to a location in the same folder as the  memo. The user than has to accept the preselected  location for the FDF file by hitting "save," and if the memo has been used previously hit "replace"  to overwrite the data from the last use. The user then opens the PDF form that he/she intends to use and hits an import button.

Is there a way to make the data go directly from the introductory memo to the forms?

If that's not possible, is there a way to eleminate the necessity of hitting the "save" and "replace" choices?

Thank you.

[Thom Parker]

You want to reduce the number of clicks?  Yes this is possible. There are several ways to move data in and out of PDFs. Not so much with Reader, but it is still usable.  If everyone using the forms has access to a shared drive, then you could write an automation script (installed on each user's system) to import and export data in an organized way, such as having a drop down menu for selecting the specific data to import.   

You'll find some information on this topic, and several (paid for) automation tools for moving data here:

https://www.pdfscripting.com/public/Form-Data-Handling.cfm

[jwpotter]

Thanks

Unfortunately my potential users are  not known to me (the would get the forms hopefullly from the web, or if that isn't possible, from an email request) and most will only have Reader.

I had  tried it with a memo and attachments, but as far as I can tell, even with Reader Extended attachments you can't save the the filled in form if you open it with reader. Perhaps incorecctly  I assumed that exporting data to an attachment would be harder than to a separate file in the same  folder.

Thanks again,

I'll have to think a lot more.

Thanks again

[Thom Parker]

A filled form can be saved from Reader. A data file cannot be saved to the local file system from Reader, unless there are special rights attached to the document. 

But there are other ways to go about this. First, you haven't fully explained the workflow process. Does the prefill data only apply to a particular user?  If so, then the data can be stored in the global object. 

[jwpotter]

I am sorry this will take up so much time to explain.

Background --There is a process through which a defendant can under certain circumstances clear  convictions and charges from his record. They are "expunged." Many miscreants have multiple cases with multile charges in each one. Each case requires its own separate set of state supplied PDF form, and depending on the  charges,  different cases may require different types of forms.

Ultimately, I am trying to set up a website (or a downloadable folder ) providing the PDF fillable forms to the public, most of whom would have Adobe Reader. There are several different types of forms. Most users would use one or more diffferen types and would fill out more than one of each type. However  every form  would have certain information that is the same (defendant's name and other personal information), but all the other entries would be unique to that form. I would like the user to be able to put the common information in only once and then open and complete the various forms with the common information already on the form.

I am trying to teach myself how this could be done. On my own computer I have been able to create a folder that more or less sets up this process. I have one folder with an introductory memo and the forms.The introductory memo has  fillable blanks at the end for the common information. The user is asked to fill in the blanks. He then hits an export data button on the  memo, hits a button that opens the type form he wants to use,  hits a button on that form to import the data, and he is ready to go. (Actually I have been able to make the forms import the data automatically when they are opened, but the Import button on the forms is not an issue.)  My problem right now is that  after hitting the export data button in the memo the user has to then hit "save" in a window that pops up and then hit "replace" in a following window. The data is going to a FDF file in the folder. I am trying to figure out a way to eleminate the "save"  and "replace" steps.

When I email the folder to someone else, absolutely nothing works beyond the memo, but that is  my next project for another day.

All I want to  do right now is find out if it is possible to  transfer the data to the form with one click of the export data button in the memo.

Thank you.

[Thom Parker]

It would be much easier to save the data on a common PDF. Actually, any PDF file the user has already filled out. Have them open both files, then push a button on the empty form that fills with common data fields from the other.  

[KYJud]

This is precisely what I want to do.

How do you do it?

[Thom Parker]

There's a tool for this here (accessible with a subscription):

https://www.pdfscripting.com/public/Copy-Form-Data-Between-PDFs-Description.cfm

It's also not too difficult to do it with the a script in the PDFs themselves. But, some special setup is required, and you'll need to learn a bit about scripting in Acrobat. I believe I provided link in an earlier post. 

[KYJud]

Again that is precisely what I want to do.  "to do it with the a script in the PDFs themselves." I have looked at the earlier link you sent me, but I cannot figure out how to put a button on/in one PDF that would import data from another PDF.

I am a member of PDFScripting and sent Windjack an email on April 18 that describes my situation in more detail It was from "John Potter."

Would you again refer me to the script that I could put in one of the PDF to import common data from another PDF.

I feel like  I might possibily be getting closer on this

Thanks for your patience.

[KYJud]

Should I study this answer a lot more before you spend any more time and energy on me?

https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat/import-data-from-one-pdf-to-another/td-p/9741193?page=1

[Thom Parker]

Hi John,

   Sorry we haven't gotten back to you on this. I'll give you the basics here, and also answer your email tomorrow. 

1) Each document needs to have this line in a document level script

this.disclosed = true;

2) next the list of active documents is stored in "app.activeDocs". The code in the form thread you've linked shows how to filter the active docs for all the docs that are not the current doc. It's easier if there are just two files open, then you can just use the other one. But you have to look at this list and figure out which is the other one.

3).   Use this line of code to transfer  one field from the other PDF

   this.getField("Field1").value = oOtherDoc.getField("Field1").value;

Where "oOtherDoc" is the document acquired from "app.activeDocs" 

You'll need a line like this for each field that needs to be transfered. If there are a lot of them then there are techniques for making this much simpler, basically naming the fields for easy access. 

We'll discuss this more later, not in the forum.  

[KYJud]

Thank you.

[Mark22957345xbiv]

I would like to do exactly the same thing for another purpose. Is there any chance I could get this email too? Or do I have to buy this code? How does this work?

[Thom Parker]

The answer to this issue is found in the text and links in this thread. The other poster is a member of a subscription site where there are several downloadable automation script specically for copying data between forms, linked above.