Trusted Function to import text does not work in Reader but does in Acrobat.

Question

I have a form at work that I am trying to setup so that it will import data from a text file.
I have got it to work in Adobe Acrobat PRO (Continuous Release | Version 2024.003.20112 | 64-bit).
Unfortunately, it does not work in Adobe Acrobat Reader (Continuous Release | Version 2024.003.20112 | 64-bit).

I have placed the trusted function in the user folder. I used " app.getPath('user','javascript')" in the console to find the correct location.

My question is, can Adobe Acrobat Reader do this and if it can, could someone please check the code below to advise me what I am doing wrong. If reader can't do it, so be it.

Code placed in the user folder
//Code from Adobe Acrobat Community Post "Run "importTextData" on a form button", reply posted by Bernd Alheit, Community Expert, May 22, 2019

var myImportTextData = app.trustedFunction(function(cPath)
{
app.beginPriv();
this.importTextData(cPath);
app.endPriv();
});

Code placed in the text field of the form. Action - On Focus.
myImportTextData("/C/Users/*******/Desktop/Import Text/AmbTherm.txt");

I also would like to send a big thank you to (in no particular order), Bernd Alheit (thanks for the code above), Karl Heinz Kremer, TRY67 and Nesa Nurani.

When I started early this year, I had absolutely no idea about javascript (or Acrobat at all). While every one on this forum has taught me something, the four of you have had the greatest impact, so THANK YOU.

Thom Parker · Accepted Answer

There actually is a solution to this issue. Just not using the importTextData function. Instead, use the "util.readFileIntoStream()" function. You will have to write your own code for parsing the data and loading it into the PDF.

You'll find some info on this process here:

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

And here is a tool that does exactly what you want:

https://www.pdfscripting.com/public/Select-and-Load-Form-Data-Tool-Description.cfm

It works in Reader, but is only available to site members.

Thom Parker · Answer

If you look at the entry for the "importTextData()" function in the Acrobat JavaScript reference you'll see a block at the top of the entry that lists "rights" for the function.

https://opensource.adobe.com/dc-acrobat-sdk-docs/library/jsapiref/doc.html#importtextdata

The last entry is labeled "Product" and it has a value of "F". This indicates that Form Rights are required for this function to operate in Reader. So the official line is NO. That said, Adobe has allowed some functions that require this right to operate in Reader, but it looks like this is probably not one of them. However, you can apply Form Rights to your form in Acrobat Pro from the "File > Save as Other > Reader Extended PDF" menu item.

But it does get slightly more complicated. There are actually several different types of "Form Rights", and the entry in the Rights bar doesn't provide any detail. So saving as a Reader Extended PDF may or may not work for getting this function to operate in Reader.

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded