Merge XML with regular Adobe Reader (DC)?

[Guest]

Hi all

We have developed a PDF file containing multiple form fields.

We use a VBScript file to merge a XML file with the PDF file.

This works perfectly on my development pc with Adobe Acrobat Pro DC installed.

However, when I try to run the same code on a pc with (only) the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed, the script fails and the following error code is shown:

ActiveX component can't create object.

Is it really necessary to have Adobe Acrobat Pro DC installed on every client pc?

We understand that it is necessary to buy a Adobe Acrobat Pro DC license to be able to create the PDF file, but we presumed it was possible to run this code with just the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed? Or are there extra libraries (for Adobe Acrobat Reader) that need to be installed on the client computers?

Thanks.

Best Regards

[try67]

[Question moved to the Acrobat SDK forum]

[Karl Heinz Kremer]

Yes, it is necessary to have Adobe Acrobat installed on every computer on which you want to run this application. The IAC interface that you are using exposes only very limited functionality in Reader, for most of the functionality you need Adobe Acrobat.

[Guest]

Hi Karl

Thank you for the quick and clear response.

Is there any other way to fill the form fields with data from a VBScript file without using the IAC interface?

I presume the Reader only has functionality for opening/printing files?

Thanks.

[Karl Heinz Kremer · Accepted solution]

You can do it via a FDF or XFDF file that references the original PDF file. In your VBScript you would have to prepare such a file, and then open that with Reader. Reader will then open the referenced PDF file and fill in the form fields.

[Guest]

Hi Karl

I just tried it and your suggestion works like a charm!

The things I had to do:

• Add a reference in the xml file to the PDF file (<f href="testfile.pdf"/>)
• Change the extension of the XML file to .fdf
• Open the fdf file in the VBScript file

Thanks a lot!

Best Regards