How to combine multiple forms into one PDF?

[codye41784913]

I have created a form and sent it out to many users.  They submit the form back to me and I need to combine many into one PDF.  Since they share the same field name, it wants to merge the information.  In order to prevent that, it suggest creating a PDF Portfolio.  If I do that after combining the files it launches the Portfolio but I see nothing other than an Adobe Logo suggesting the best way to view Portfolio is with Reader (which I have) and an action tab to get Adobe Reader. 

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Cody

[Bernd Alheit]

Open the file in Acrobat Reader.

[codye41784913]

All it shows is an Adobe logo with the action button to get Reader.

[codye41784913]

Sorry.... appears to be a simple fix.  I am currently downloading Acrobat XI with my archaic internet so in 20 min or so I should have this problem solved. 

[codye41784913]

That didn't.  Adobe recognized I already have a higher functioning Acrobat and terminated the install..... 

[codye41784913]

So as I work through this I am able to combine forms and save as a portfolio.  Unfortunately, portfolio limits my functionality.  I am unable to view the entire contents as one document, and limits my printing options.  Furthermore, if I try to delete unwanted pages before combining into the portfolio that's when I get the Adobe screen with the "Get Reader" action button.  For whatever reason if I do not delete any pages then it will combine into a portfolio.

So in essentially, back to square one, sorta.  Once I get the forms submitted to me, is there any way to make it so that that pdf is no longer recognized as a form.  That way I can combine them into a pdf without merging the fields? 

[try67 · Accepted solution]

Yes, it's called flattening. Once you flatten the form the fields turn into static contents and you could merge multiple files without losing data.

[codye41784913]

A bit of a task when dealing with large quantities of files, but does the trick.  Would be nice to have the ability to multi select many files and flatten at once.

[try67]

You can easily do it with an Action, if you have Acrobat Pro.

Simply have it execute the following JavaScript command on your files:

this.flattenPages();

And then save them. Just remember this process is not reversible, so it might be a good idea to keep a backup copy of the originals.

[codye41784913]

I have not done any work with Javascript before.  I will look for some reference material to see how to utilize JavaScript.  To most I am sure it is elementary but its not something I am familiar with.

[try67]

The code I gave you is all you need, really.

What you should look into is how to use run an Action... Basically you just need to go to Tools - Action Wizard, create a new Action and add to it one command that executes that JavaScript code and one that saves the file (under the same name, or a different one). Then you run the Action on your files, and that's it pretty much...

[codye41784913]

Thank you very much for taking the time to help a rookie out!