Autofill form with database data

I'm trying to create a form that when the page loads, will
          automatically fill with data according to the parameters specified in
          the url. I then want to be able to change fields within the form, and
          submit it, saving the changes to the database.
          I can do the last part, saving to the database via a submit button,
          but is there a way (non-JavaScript) to autofill the form with the
          pertinent data?

You can connect the form to the DB using anODBC connection. This functionality comes as part of Acrobat but the form must be Reader Extended by the full LiveCycle Server version of Reader Extension to allow this in Reader. In your case, if your system is the only on ethat will interact with the DB then this might be a viable solution (but you woudl have to use Acrobat). This solution woudl involve create an ODBC connection in your system then configuring the form to make use of that connection.
Does that make sense?
Paul

Similar Messages

Populating a PDF form with database data

I would love to know how (if possible) to populate an Adobe PDF form with data pulled from an Access database.
Background
I have a registration form already created using Adobe LiveCycle which is used by people to fill in their details. With a built-in xml schema, the user saves the form and sends them to me. I extract the data into an xml document which I can then import in an Access database using VBA code.
The Need
When it comes time to re-register, much of the original data provided by the user has not changed. Rather than ask them to fill out the form all over again, I would like to send them their original data and they can update whichever fields they need to. With the xml schema built into the form, I would love to turn this form into a two-way avenue for both importing and exporting data. Is this possible?
Any assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Please let me know if I have not provided enough information.
Brett

You can connect the form to the DB using anODBC connection. This functionality comes as part of Acrobat but the form must be Reader Extended by the full LiveCycle Server version of Reader Extension to allow this in Reader. In your case, if your system is the only on ethat will interact with the DB then this might be a viable solution (but you woudl have to use Acrobat). This solution woudl involve create an ODBC connection in your system then configuring the form to make use of that connection.
Does that make sense?
Paul

How can I save a form with database connections with the info w/o requiring the connection again?

I have a form in LiveCycle ES2 that has an ODBC connection to an Access 2007 database. The form works great and all the data populates the form just fine, but next I need a way to save the generated form with the data so it can be sent and signed by people who won't (and can't) have a connection to the database. I am developing on a Windows 7, 64 bit machine and have Adobe Acrobat X Pro, and Adobe Reader X.
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks

Thanks for the quick response. I tried saving the form as Reader Extended in Acrobat Pro, but if I close the form I saved as extended, it still prompts for the data connection. Is there some setting in Adobe LiveCycle in the properties that maybe needs to be set? I have it set as a Dynamic XML Form. In form properties, there is a tab called data binding, should I have "Allow binding to data not defined by the default data connection" checked? Wasn't sure what "Add data nodes inside the filtered data hierarchy" would do either.

How can I populate a pdf with database data?

How can I populate a pdf that we have on our server with database data on our server?

Actually, if you export it in the right format then you won't need a script
at all.
You can import data directly into fields from a plain-text file via Tools -
Forms - More Form Options - Import Data...
I believe the format is tab-delimited with the field names in the first row
and their values in the second.

How to open a pdf form with fdf data

Hi all,
I am working on a new project. In that, I have to load a PDF contract form with FDF data on Internet Explorer Window.
I don't know how to do it. Actually I tried using this format on the URL (while loading the respective page)
http://www.example.org/pdf_file_name.pdf#FDF=http://www.example.org/fdf_file_name.fdf
But it opened as an empty pdf document. . Actually I need it with the fdf data.
Can anyone know any other way to do this?
Or is this not possible to open a pdf form with fdf data in a browser?
Thanks in advance
Annamalai

@ Bernd. It still opens a text file
Here's my FDF file sample
%FDF-1.2
%âãÏÓ
1 0 obj
<<
/FDF << /Fields
<</V (07/22/2009)/T (Loan_Note_Date)>><</V (22.29)/T (Loan_AnnualPercentage_Rate)>></V ()/T (Seller_ESignatureArea1_Date)>><</V (GA Dealer)/T (Seller_Signer_FullNameTitle)>><</V ()/T (ThirdParty_ESignatureArea1_Date)>>
/F (MARSMFLZ.pdf)/ID [ <1f0b6b55f345db39e8246247138fe562><e960588530b0d06d35cd618b34d4c314>
]>>
>> endobj
trailer
<<
/Root 1 0 R
>>
%%EOF
(I have uploaded the related pdf file before.)
Just now I got an idea to use WScript (the code is written in javascript)
ws = new ActiveXObject("WScript.shell");
ws.Run('"AcroRd32.exe" "C:\\annukar\\Refi\\Refinance_Module\\Forms\\Contract.fdf"', 1, true);
this opens my fdf document in Acrobat reader using command prompt.
I have a doubt now, can i use some string in place of "C:\\annukar\\Refi\\Refinance_Module\\Forms\\Contract.fdf" in the above command?
I mean something like fdf_file = "C:\\annukar\\Refi\\Refinance_Module\\Forms\\Contract.fdf"
and replace ws.Run('"AcroRd32.exe" fdf_file,1,true). I tried it but it doesn't work Any idea's? Since the path will not remain the same always. So i need to change it

How to download interactive adobe form with filled data

Hi Experts,
i have created a module pool program that is showing interactive adobe form, i created a button 'SAVE' to download the interactive adobe form to the presentation server.
but the problem is that i am unable to save the interactive adobe form with filled data. Please provide me the code how to download interactive adobe form with filled data.
Please provide me valuable information to clear the issue.
Thank you,
B. Raghu Prasad.

Hi Raghu,
is this adobe form in web dynpro ? if so, I suggest to go to [Web Dynpro |Web Dynpro ABAP; forum to get more advice because it seems to be more specific topic.
Regards,
Vincent

Autofilling cells with existing data above in column? Numbers 2.0 did it, seems lost in 3.0

Autofilling cells with existing data above in column? Numbers 2.0 did it, seems lost in 3.0
Hello,
Just upgraded to Numbers 3.0 and use it for keeping the books on my business. When I input my receipts at the end of the day in to Numbers, it used to autofill the cell with suggestions as I type using existing data that is present in the same column within the table.
For example, I purchase parts from "Parts Store". Before instead of typing the entire phrase, I could just input the letter P and "Parts Store" would instantly pop up as a suggestion. I could hit enter and I would move on to the next cell. Made inputing data a lot easier.
It worked in 2.0, but seems lost in 3.0. Is there a way to turn this on? I tried searching with no luck.
Thanks for your help!
AJ

Hi AJ,
Cells formatted as pop-up are designed for this purpose, to choose from a list of repeating values. Even less typing. I like them better myself. No typos.
In the new Numbers hitting the spacebar doesn't activate a list so you have to go to the trackpad or mouse to make a pick from the list. It's very fast for me, but that depends on your setup and habits.
SG

Two rows instead of one in the database when form with 2 data blocks.

Hi All,
I have created a form having 2 data blocks
data block one to populate table A
data block two to populate table B .
now when i save the data after pressing the save option ....i find 2 records instead of one in the database table A and Table B.
it should have been just one per table ....can some one suggest pls
Sunny

ok : step by step :
do you have a trigger created named "ON-INSERT" on
the block?Many thanks for your support....
I do not have an ON-insert trigger.....
I will explain my scenerio.....
I have 2 data blocks one-below the other in the form
accessing 2 different tables....
now on the canvas of this form I have added a
button....and on that button i have written a trigger
'when-button-pressed' Trigger....
it takes the data from the various text_items of the
form and inserts them into their corrosponding
tables....and I have added 'COMMIT' at the end this
trigger
so when I press this button ....the data 2 records
get inserted into the 2 tables instead of one each..
TIA
Sunnythe above form looks something like this.....
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| |
| ---data_block1------------------------------------------------------ |
| | | |
| | some data entry here for emp1 table | |
| |__________________________________________ | |
| |
| |
| |
| ---data_block2------------------------------------------------------ |
| | | |
| | some data entry here for dept1 table | |
| |__________________________________________ | |
| |
| button1 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Basic form with external data

I am not sure if I am overcomplicating something I am trying to do with designer/Acrobat.
I am trying to create an interactive work order.
Much of the basic layout has been done, and most of the fields are doing what I want them to do, though I still have a little here and there that needs some tweaking. But before I get to doing those, my primary focus is to have the form access external data.
For example. I have a table in the form that has the following fields.
Quantity Part Number Description Price Amount
Quantity, price and amount are all internal to the form itself, and are fillable by the user of the form, with the exception that the amount field is a calculated value based on the previous two. My intention is that these fields are only filled by the user of the form when needed.
My issue however is the Part Number and Description fields, which has me quite perplexed on what would be the best way to go.
From some of what I have read here and there in this forum and elsewhere, it seems that I have to have some kind of complex setup regarding sql servers if I want to use a simple database file (access for example) where I can edit as needed on the fly to pull data into the form as needed, using for example, a pulldown, to populate the two fields.
I can muddle through that for my personal needs, however, my intention is to provide the form to co-workers so they can use it without having to set up what I am seeing as extremely complex setup of installing and configuring sql servers and so forth. The computers will not be connected to any networks, these are field laptops.
What I was hoping was to provide the database with the pdf file and let the end user simply copy those to a folder and use them without much fuss, aside from them being able to edit the database file to add their own custom information. I was also considering adding in the ability for them to save and recall customer contact information as well.
I am not by any stretch of the imagination a programmer. I am a technician. I can figure out how to use access easily enough. But beyond this...well...its all greek to me if you get my gist.
Am I overcomplicating the matter. Is there an easier approach to what I want to do? Are there any complete samples (includes all the files needed) available that I can use and study to accomplish what I am trying to do?
Appreciate any input from you folks here.
Thanks.

Hi,
There are (at least) two ways of approaching this.
One is to have the Part No. and Description in an external source (eg database) and then set up a data connection in the form to access this information. One problem is that if the user are using Adobe Reader, then the data connections will not work. See summary of deployment options here: https://acrobat.com/#d=3lGJZAZuOmk8h86HCWyJKg
Another option is to hard wire the Part No and Description into the form. There is an example here and links to a tutorial on Acrobat Users website. Linking Drop Down Fields / Combo Boxes
Good luck,
Niall

I want to prevent users from saving a PDF form with the data filled in

I am using Adobe Acrobat X Pro to create a fillable PDF form. When I open my form in Acrobat Reader XI, it says right at the top "You can save data typed into this form." I have NOT saved it as Reader Extended PDF. This is a form that will be emailed to recipients or available to download from our website as a PDF so they can fill it out on their office computer, print with the data filled, and then fax or snail mail to us. (No online or email submissions.) We do not want them to accidentally save confidential information on the form that will be visible to the next user when they close it, or to Save As and keep the filled form.
I know there are still ways to do it if someone really wants to, like printing it to PDF or using a PDF software other than Reader, but these are not folks who would have time or intention to do such a thing. 99% of them will be using some version of Reader, probably a much older one than mine. Thank you for any advice!

Thank you Gilad and George for trying. I just discovered both of you have replied to this issue here - http://forums.adobe.com/message/5881211#5881211 - which is my exact same situation; I am also a regional health care agency trying to provide forms for health care providers! (It's a small world.) I just didn't find this thread the first time I searched for answers. I will investigate the JavaScript reset Form statement. Thanks!

PDF form with XML data connection comes up blank at run time

Hello All,
I am a newbie to ADOBE Livecycle 9, but am very proficient in C#. I would like to request for your guidance on the following issue.
We have a desktop application in C#, WPF, Sqlserver. The requirement is to launch a Livecycle form from the application for the user to read/edit/save data
I have done this much so far -
Downloaded trial version of Livecycle 9
Developed a interactive PDf form
Created an XML based data connection. Generated fields on the form using the fields from this connection.
Set the .XML file as preview source for the form
the controls on the form are boumd to the xml data source
In design mode, the form works fine, it displays my data correctly
I have created a WPF form with a button. On click of this button, I call the Process.Start(pdf-file-path). My pdf is launched properly
I have added a combo box to my WPF form. I select a parameter from this, then call a stored procedure which returns me a datatable depending on parameter passed
Using the returned datatable, I have used the datatable.writexml and datatable.writexmlschema to create my XML and XSD files. as mentioned above, this xsd is used to create the data connection for the PDF and the XML for the preview source
This is what I want to do -
Launch the PDF from my WPF form, pre-populated with the newly created XML data from my WPF form.
So basically, as the user changes the selection criteria from the combo box, the XML file data will change and the PDF file will be launched each time with new data.
The XSD format will always be constant
Problem -
My XML and XSD get created properly, my PDF launches, but it is empty
If I change my selection criteria and run the WPF application, and then open the PDF in design mode, it asks me whether it should refresh the XML source. This means that the PDF form is connecting correctly to the XML source
So why then, does the form come up empty at run time?
What link am I missing?
I have found some sites that help using Web applications, but nothing for desktop applications. It would be fantastic if you could point me to some help for developing Livecycle forms with C# / SQLServer
Your help in this case will be highly appreciated.
Thanks and Regards

Oops, something happended with the above post. I will try again... I have tried your suggestion but I still get the same garbled XML (with data repeated and some values "cut in half". Here is what I get after decode-service and extract-to-XML-service. This is just the first barcode, the others are similar, sorry for the poor formatting, but I get a CDATA tage infront of the "istensen" value. CDATA:istensen</fld_ForMellemEfterNavn ><fld_VejNRpostByEnLinie >Superroad 99, 1330 Supertown</fld_VejNRpostByEnLinie ><fld_PrivatTelefonnummer >20724283</fld_PrivatTelefonnummer ></sub_Person ></sub_PktA ><fld_BlanketNr >kb0371ff</fld_BlanketNr ><fld_BarcodeCount /></form1 >/sub_Adresse ><sub_Person ><fld_ForMellemEfterNavn>Kim Christensen</fld_ForMellemEfterNavn ><fld_VejNRpostByEnLinie > Superroad 99, 1330 Supertown </fld_VejNRpostByEnLinie ><fld_PrivatTelefonnummer >20724283</fld_PrivatTelefonnummer ></sub_Person ></sub_PktA ><fld_BlanketNr >kb0371ff</fld_BlanketNr ><fld_BarcodeCount /></form1 Obviously this is not a legal xml-string, so I can do nothing about it. I have tried using a custom .NET component (ClearImage) for reading the same form (with the barcode) I get the correct data out from the barcodes. So I guess something is wrong with the decode-service in Barcoded Forms ES when I use compressed XML. But I can conclude since the ClearImage component can read the barcodes that they are compressed correctly. Can you help me with getting further with this problem? Sincerely Kim

Barcoded form with XML-data

Hi all,
In our solution we have some barcodes on a form (7 barcodes on the one that I am using), they contain compressed XML data (I know that this uses much space in the barcode - anyway it should work regardless of this).
What the interesting thing is what is returned from the "decode-service" in WB.
When I run a scanned form through the process I have created I get "garbled" xml in my XML-doc that is returned from the decode-service.
If I use a handheld scanner (with a customly created program that handles the compression) I get the correct data from the barcode.
If I do not use compression in the barcode I get the correct XML data from the barcode (with the decode-service). This is weird to me... What is going on???
Some time ago I posted this issue (http://www.adobeforums.com/webx?128@@.3c058293) but never really caught up with a solution.
Can you help me with this?
Sincerely
Kim

Oops, something happended with the above post. I will try again... I have tried your suggestion but I still get the same garbled XML (with data repeated and some values "cut in half". Here is what I get after decode-service and extract-to-XML-service. This is just the first barcode, the others are similar, sorry for the poor formatting, but I get a CDATA tage infront of the "istensen" value. CDATA:istensen</fld_ForMellemEfterNavn ><fld_VejNRpostByEnLinie >Superroad 99, 1330 Supertown</fld_VejNRpostByEnLinie ><fld_PrivatTelefonnummer >20724283</fld_PrivatTelefonnummer ></sub_Person ></sub_PktA ><fld_BlanketNr >kb0371ff</fld_BlanketNr ><fld_BarcodeCount /></form1 >/sub_Adresse ><sub_Person ><fld_ForMellemEfterNavn>Kim Christensen</fld_ForMellemEfterNavn ><fld_VejNRpostByEnLinie > Superroad 99, 1330 Supertown </fld_VejNRpostByEnLinie ><fld_PrivatTelefonnummer >20724283</fld_PrivatTelefonnummer ></sub_Person ></sub_PktA ><fld_BlanketNr >kb0371ff</fld_BlanketNr ><fld_BarcodeCount /></form1 Obviously this is not a legal xml-string, so I can do nothing about it. I have tried using a custom .NET component (ClearImage) for reading the same form (with the barcode) I get the correct data out from the barcodes. So I guess something is wrong with the decode-service in Barcoded Forms ES when I use compressed XML. But I can conclude since the ClearImage component can read the barcodes that they are compressed correctly. Can you help me with getting further with this problem? Sincerely Kim

Populate PDF form with XML data

Although a seemingly simple task, this question has occupied way too much of my time the last week and I am asking the following out of sheer desperation and frustration.
I have a pdf form created with Designer 7.0. I have a separate XML data file to populate the form with. I can test using the preview in Designer and everything looks great. Now, all I want to do is deploy this pdf to a standard web server (IIS, Windows) such that any visitor to the site (using Reader) is able to open it/view it/print it, with the data there. That's it.
This was easily accomplished using Acrobat 6 by creating an ASP page that output an FDF file which referenced the PDF. Not so with the latest version.
I have downloaded three separate several hundred page documents that do not explain how to accomplish this task simply. So to summarize:
1. Does this task *require* a separate piece of software (Document Server) that was not required before?
2. If Document Server is not required, what are the steps to publish the pdf file and reference the data file?
Please help, extraordinarily frustrated :-(.

Ravinder, were you actually able to get your PDF Document (Form) to load with data? I have not been able to get my .NET page to populate my PDF document - the PDF loads in my Browser but has no data. If you can post sample code that you were able to get to work, it would be appreciated, or if you notice something wrong with my code below, please let me know. Also, when my PDF document loads in my browser, I am prompted to "Open or Save" my .xdp file and if I click "Open", my PDF Form loads, but the fields are not populated. How do I stop this prompt from loading? I don't want the user(s) to be able to see this. My .NET page and XML file are listed below: ------------------------- .NET ----------------------------------- Imports System.Text Imports System.IO Public Class WebForm1 Inherits System.Web.UI.Page #Region " Web Form Designer Generated Code " 'This call is required by the Web Form Designer. <System.Diagnostics.DebuggerStepThrough()> Private Sub InitializeComponent() End Sub 'NOTE: The following placeholder declaration is required by the Web Form Designer. 'Do not delete or move it. Private designerPlaceholderDeclaration As System.Object Private Sub Page_Init(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Init 'CODEGEN: This method call is required by the Web Form Designer 'Do not modify it using the code editor. InitializeComponent() End Sub #End Region Private Sub Page_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load 'Put user code to initialize the page here Dim responseString As New StringBuilder Dim sr As StreamReader Dim xmldata As String Response.ContentType = "application/vnd.adobe.xdp+xml" responseString.Append("<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>") responseString.Append("<?xfa generator='AdobeDesigner_V7.0' APIVersion='2.2.4333.0'?>") responseString.Append("<xdp:xdp xmlns:xdp='http://ns.adobe.com/xdp/'>") responseString.Append("<xfa:datasets xmlns:xfa='http://www.xfa.org/schema/xfa-data/1.0/'>") responseString.Append("<xfa:data xfa:dataNode='dataGroup'>") sr = File.OpenText("c:\\inetpub\\wwwroot\\PDFFiller\\TestForm_data.xml") xmldata = sr.ReadToEnd() sr.Close() responseString.Append(xmldata) 'responseString.Append("<form1>") 'responseString.Append("<txtFirstName>Homer</txtFirstName>") 'responseString.Append("<txtLastName>Simpson</txtLastName>") 'responseString.Append("</form1>") responseString.Append("</xfa:data>") responseString.Append("</xfa:datasets>") responseString.Append("<pdf href='http://localhost/PDFFiller/TestForm.pdf' xmlns='http://ns.adobe.com/xdp/pdf/' />") responseString.Append("<xfdf xmlns='http://ns.adobe.com/xfdf/' xml:space='preserve'>") responseString.Append("<annots/>") responseString.Append("</xfdf>") responseString.Append("</xdp:xdp>") Response.Write(responseString) Response.Flush() Response.End() End Sub End Class ----------------------End .NET ----------------------------------- --------- XML (TestForm_data.xml) -------------------------------- <form1><txtFirstName>Homer</txtFirstName><txtLastName>Simpson</txtLastName></form1> ----------------------End XML -----------------------------------

Opening a System-Form with selected Data

Hi,
i´m looking for a way to open a System-Form, e.g. Orders with
selected Data.
In the moment i do the following:
     application.ActivateMenuItem("2050"); // orders
     SAPbouiCOM.Form belegForm = application.Forms.ActiveForm;
     belegForm.Mode = SAPbouiCOM.BoFormMode.fm_FIND_MODE;
     SAPbouiCOM.EditText edDocNum = (SAPbouiCOM.EditText)belegForm.Items.Item("8").Specific;
     edDocNum.Value = "4711";
     belegForm.Items.Item("1").Click(SAPbouiCOM.BoCellClickType.ct_Regular);
This works, but the screen is blinking, because first the form ist opened and shown with
empty values and then filled.
Is there a way to activate the form and do the search-Operation and afterwards show it ?
I think ist must be possible, because when clicking on the link-Button near CardCode, the Contacts-Form
is opened in this way.
regards Matthias

Hi Ibai,
i have tested both: freeze and form.visible = false in
the form_load-Event. It doesn´t work here.
Also neither the call
   application.ActivateMenuItem("1281"); // find
nor the call
   oForm.Mode = SAPbouiCOM.BoFormMode.fm_FIND_MODE;
work in the form_load-Event.
After the form-Load-Event the et_FORM_ACTIVATE-Event is called.
Here the functions work, but here the screen is already visible.
regards Matthias

Populating a PDF form with XML data

Hi folks,
I would like to create some pdf form template, populate it with xml data and output from it a pdf file.
Can I do such thing using LiveCycle?
Yair

With the recent release Adobe changed the name to Adobe Digitial Enterprise Platform (ADEP)..
http://www.adobe.com/solutions/customer-experience/enterprise-platform.html
ADEP server software comes with lot of services to help with many solutions for the enterprises, so it would be better to call the Adobe Sales team and discuss your needs and they will be best people to suggest what suits your company requirements.
Thanks
Srini

Autofill form with database data

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