Using Excel Data to fill out an Adobe Fillable PDF

[oliviak54094685]

Hi there. I have an excel file of inventory that I'd like to put into an adobe PDF form. I've named all of the data categories exactly how they appear on the form and I've changed to file format to a text tab deliminated text file. When I try to import this data into the form I get the error message, "could not load data from the text file." Additionally, even when the data begins to work and it shows a list of all the data I get an error message saying "some data in the text file was not imported successfully" and the form remains blank. I really need assistance automating this process as I have hundreds of forms to complete. I'm not sure if this is a factor in my issue, but I am only filling out some of the forms on the data sheet and am leaving others blank. I have tried creating a txt file with all of the categories and put in information to see if that was the issue but I still got an error message.

[AkanchhaS · Accepted solution]

Hi Oliviak54094685,

As mentioned above, the error message that you received during import so is it with one particular excel file or have you tried with a different one as well?

You may refer to the forum thread Import data from Excel into fillable pdf using Acrobat XI Pro - is it possible? How?  and follow the steps mentioned in that and let us know if there is any trouble importing the file.

Regards,

Akanchha

[terryasay]

Hello,

Re:  Importing data from Excel into fillable pdf form.  Can this function be used with Adobe Acrobat DC Standard version?

[Monique5CB3]

I am also having an issue getting any data imported into my PDF form using Adobe Acrobat DC Standard.

[try67]

What issues are you having, exactly?

[CJ2239060608jj]

Per the article: https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2069492

There is no option for Tools Import from file in Adobe Acrobat Pro SC

[try67]

I don't know what you mean, but you can certainly import data from a tab-delimited text file into form fields in Acrobat.

[CJ2239060608jj]

Can you please send me a link to a video or an article that shows step by step instructions for Adobe Acrobat DC

[try67]

Here you go: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/collecting-pdf-form-data.html

Search for "import form data".

[Leong25573746ke9p]

I am also looking for way to import Excel data into fillable form using Acrobat Pro. I cannot find the import data option icon on my Acrobat. Can someone tell me where can I find it  ?  Do I need to enable from the hidden menu within Acrobat ? 

[try67]

What's your version of Acrobat? And what "hidden menu"?

[Russell27898571gx6g]

Prepare form>More>Import Data

[fred_wander]

This is really STUPID from Acrobat DC and other versions.

If you want to import 150 records into a form you have to create 150 pdfs.

Really STUPID functionality for software that cost me `$300.00USD

The other thing that a lot of SW publishers do is dance around the answer No it won't do that, and you go on fools errands to confirm Mo it won’t do that!

Adobe lost interest in Acrobat’s usefulness and users have to resort to third-party costly solutions to do simple common sense things, or become programmers for scripts.

When my Acrobat 2000 reaches end of support, there’s probably going to be an alternative to Acrobat!!!

[crystal_4874]

Hi,

I have the same issue as the original message here and was unable to open this link to see if I could get a solution.

When the data begins to work and it shows a list of all the data I get an error message saying "some data in the text file was not imported successfully" and the form remains blank. 

I have been researching and trouble shooting this now for over a month and have spent so much time on it.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Crystal

[try67]

Are you importing it from an Excel file, or a plain-text file?

Does any of the data import at all, or none of it?

Can you share the files in question?

[crystal_4874]

Fill STD 995A PDF MACRO
EMPLOYEE NAME PAYMENT TYPE PAY PERIOD OF AR MonthYear ISSUE DATE OF AR MonthDayYear AR NUMBER 5 Digits AMOUNT COLLECTED
XXXXXX K 09/22 08/07/23 09447 $145.54
xxxxx K 10/22 08/07/23 09448 " $1,014.29 "

[crystal_4874]

Hi - I replied via email with files.  Not sure why it isn't showing all here so I will add here as well.I started with an excel file, saved it as text (tab delimited).  I closed the file, opened my PDF fillable and hit import.  I get the pop up with the data, then I clicked ok.  Then get the pop up below and no data populates to my file.  II also made sure the field names match between the import file and the fillable pdf.  Files are attached!  I appreciate any help.  I will also have many lines of data but I read that you can only do one line/row of data at a time, is this the case? 

[try67]

Remove the first line from your text file. The first line must contain the field names, not a title.

[crystal_4874]

Thank you for the suggestion.  I did that and tried again....same issue.  Thoughts?

[try67]

The values in the first line don't match the names of the fields in the PDF file you shared at all.

[crystal_4874]

Hi,

Am I mssing something here?  For example: EMPLOYEE NAME in the text file is named EMPLOYEE NAME in the PDF.

Thanks,

Crystal

[try67]

It's not. It's named "EMPLOYEE NAMERow1". If you want to import each row of data from the text file into each row of fields in your table you will need to use a script to do it, adding the "RowX" suffix to each field-name from the file. The built-in command can't do that for you.

[crystal_4874]

oh..ok.  Do you know how I can do a script?  I have no clue about that.

[try67]

This is not a trivial script to create, especially if you don't have any experience.

I've developed a similar (paid-for) tool that does Mail Merge on a PDF form and a data file (see: https://www.try67.com/tool/acrobat-mail-merge-and-email-pdf-files) and could customize it for your needs so that it imports multiple rows into a single file. You can contact me privately (click my user-name and then the blue Message button) to discuss it further, if you're interested.