Field names in Acrobat PRO DC

[Thomas24764630hu98]

Is there a way to batch process to rename multiple fields at once?

When I copy fields from one page to the next, I must rename each field so that the field name is unique. With a large amount of fields that is a lot of (boring) work and tends to create errors if not done thoroughly.

Love to hear your ideas.

[Bernd Alheit]

> Is there a way to batch process to rename multiple fields at once?

Not possible with Acrobat Reader.

[Thomas24764630hu98]

Thank you for the prompt answer. However, I was asking for an idea on how to do it in Acrobat PRO DC. Even if there is no standard function by Adobe, I was sort of hoping that someone already created a Java script that he or she might want to share.

[Bernd Alheit]

Try the forum for Adobe Acrobat.

[Thomas24764630hu98]

Perfect idea. Did not read well enough then. Thanks for the hint.

[try67 · Accepted solution]

This is tricky to do in Acrobat. A script can't actually rename a field. What it can do is re-create it using the new name, but then some settings are lost (basically all attached scripts, including Validation, Format, Keystroke, Calculation, Mouse Up, etc.). The other option is to do it outside of Acrobat, using a stand-alone tool, but that has its limitations, too.

I've developed both types of (paid-for) tools, and you can find them here: https://www.try67.com/tool/easily-rename-pdf-fields

[Thomas24764630hu98]

Thanks for the answer. I have done what you have done also, maybe in a different way but it works. However, as you point out, you loose some properties that you might have set. Especially for dropdown lists that is a bit unfortunate. I am running the script on the fields in an otherwise empty PDF and copy the fields back to the file I am actually editing. Then, I need to redo some properties but I can do that for multiple fields at a time and that still saves time as cpompared to rename all fields on a page manually. Too bad that this is not a funtion any PDF editor offers. 😞

[try67]

(Almost) all Properties can be copied over, actually. Only Actions can not.

[Thomas24764630hu98]

Yes, that is true, of course. So one needs to decide when this is worth the effort.