Insert an image into pdf (Adobe Acrobat Pro DC) using javascript

[mirtaš18506131]

So basically, this what I want to do:

.this.getField('imageField').importImage('path_to_img');

I know this code is not correct, but is there a way to do this? I couldn't find the solution in Acrobat's documentation.

Most questions I found were referring to the problem when user is selecting an image on click of a button. I don't want that.

I need something like what I wrote above becausepath_to_imageis a variable I'm pulling from a database..

[Bernd Alheit]

Read this:

How to add an image to Pdf Page in Javascript? (JavaScript)

[mirtaš18506131]

Do you have a link to any other source too? Not much info here...

[Bernd Alheit]

Info about the methods are available in the Javascript Reference:

Acrobat DC SDK Documentation

[Karl Heinz Kremer]

The correct method for this is Doc.buttonImportIcon() - you can find the documentation here:

Acrobat DC SDK Documentation

If you already have the icon in your document, you could also use Doc.buttonSetIcon():

Acrobat DC SDK Documentation

Both links have some sample code.

[mirtaš18506131]

Thank you for the links provided, but I still have some troubles with making this work.

This is the code I wrote:

var f = this.getField("btnImage"); // button field

       f.buttonSetCaption("Title");

       if (f.buttonImportIcon("/C/image.pdf") == 0)  // if 0 == no error

            f.buttonImportIcon("/C/image.pdf");

I get the word "Title" written over the button field, but no image is displayed. I wrote the javascript in Action Wizard tool, under Custom Commands. I get no errors in Debugger.

Do I have to use buttonSetIcon() first? Or define the path to an image elsewhere?

[try67]

From the documentation of buttonImportIcon:

Note: (Acrobat 8.0) If cPath is specified, this method can only be executed during batch and console

events. See Privileged versus non-privileged context for details. The event object contains a

discussion of JavaScript events.

[mirtaš18506131]

Thanks, I'll look into it.

[mirtaš18506131]

I apologize if this is a dumb question, but I just started using acrobat few days ago..

Is this sentence: "...this method can only be executed during batch and console..." equivalent to doing this:

• Tools -->
• Action Wizard -->
• New Action -->
• More Tools -- >
• Execute Javascript -- >
• Specify Settings -->
• *entering js code* + save action -->
• running action from the Actions List

?

[try67]

It's not a dumb question at all, actually. And yes, I believe it should work from the context of an Action (as it is considered privileged), but try it out and let us know.

[michaelw888]

Hi there, is there a way not to click "Start" action instead of auto run the action when the form is opened?

Thanks,

Michael

[try67]

No.

[michaelw888]

thanks. How about using the script to add the image by image action instead of  action wizard. I tried the script here but not working. Any idea?

var f = this.getField("btnImage");

// Image field

if (f.buttonImportIcon("/C/image.gif") == 0)

// if 0 == no error

f.buttonImportIcon("/C/image.gif");

Thanks.

[try67]

That requires a privileged context, as mentioned above. If you don't run it from an Action the main alternative is to run it from a trusted function in a folder-level script, which will have to be installed on the local machine of each user.

[michaelw888]

Hi Try67,

 I got this working by putting the javascript in a folder-level via the document level or button level javascripts to trigger it to load the image in the system. But the new issue is I have to save the pdf first then reopen it in Adobe Reader DC to see the image but not to see the image in the pdf file opening in the Adobe Reader extension on an internet browser like IE/Edge/Chrome.

Do you know why?

Thanks,

Michael

[michaelw888]

Even I click the image button which has a javascript to trigger the folder-level javascript before I save the pdf file.

[Test Screen Name]

"I have to save the pdf first then reopen it in Adobe Reader DC to see the image but not to see the image in the pdf file opening in the Adobe Reader extension on an internet browser like IE/Edge/Chrome."

Sure, each of these uses its own PDF viewer, which may not allow JavaScript, or have a partial implementation; it certainly would have security limitations and won't read Adobe's startup files. This seems certain of failure in a browser.

[michaelw888]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, after click "Fill & Sign" tool on Chrome/Edge browser, the image appears. IE does not need this step. Maybe that is only result we can have as IE is retiring.

Thanks:)

[mirtaš18506131]

I did try it. I tried creating a new action, then I created a new custom command and  after that I also tried doing it through tab Javascript --> Document Javascripts. And I just can't get the picture to show (everything else in the script works - pulling data from the excel file, changing colors of the fields, etc.)...

[try67 · Accepted solution]

Did you actually set the button's Layout to "Icon Only"?

[Bernd Alheit]

What layout do you use in the properties of the button?

[mirtaš18506131]

Yeah I forgot to set it to Icon only.. that did it! Thank you

[RossBicknell]

Hi Mirta,

Please can you explain to me how you achieved the final result.

I have it so that I can browse for an image through the button import but I want to be able to open a PDF and it automatically populate a field with an image of a specific name.

I think what you have done here would work but I'm not exactly sure where to place your code to test it.

If you or someone else can explain it to me I would be very grateful.

Cheers

Ross

[michaelw888]

Hi Bernd Alheit,

Recently Try67 found a possible Reader DC bug to show the icon image from a folder level javascript. Do you know how long it will take to be fixed by Adobe?

Thanks,

Michael

[Bernd Alheit]

I don't know.