Enable Reader users to save form data

This question was posted in response to the following article: http://help.adobe.com/en_US/acrobat/standard/using/WS58a04a822e3e50102bd615109794195ff-7e0 d.w.html

Unless the PDF has extended rights applied, users with Adobe Reader X and earlier on a desktop will not be able to save a copy once they've filled in the form fields - and if you apply those rights you will be bound by the 500-response limit in the EULA.
You have three options:
Reader-extend the form using Adobe's enterprise-class LiveCycle ES products, which have no limits on responses but which cost a lot of money.
Use the FDF/XFDF submission route mentioned by Bill - the form would not be Reader-extended and would not be saveable, but the server script can either email the user their data or redirect them to a dynamically-generated version of the same PDF with their information pre-filled. You can create the form in Acrobat but will need server-side programming to handle the data, e.g. via PHP or ASP.
Use a hosted non-PDF system for the form, such as the Plus subscription at Adobe FormsCentral. or create the form directly on your website in HTML (as you would with a contact form). Since you're putting the forms online, switching to an online or cloud-based system wouldn't change the experience for your users but you can get more than 500 responses without the huge price tag of LiveCycle.
Although PDF forms have a lot of benefits, it's important to remember that if all your users are online anyway, there's no reason why you can't do the same thing in HTML. If you're dealing with confidential information it's actually much simpler to use an HTML webform on an SSL server, as the data is only ever passed between the webserver and the user in encrypted format - there's no risk of someone leaving a copy of a filled-in PDF on a public computer, or an email going astray. It's how FormsCentral works.

Similar Messages

Programmatically enable Reader users to save form data.

Hey.
In Acrobat there is a function that makes you able to allow Reader users to enter data in a form, and save it. Its used by going to advanced > Extend features in Adobe Reader.
The form im using is only a template, and this works for that single form only, and since the form im using is only a template the extended features i activate in this way doens't work with the newly created ones created of the template.
I'll explain a bit on what it is that my application is doing.
My application is a webapplication created in .NET 2003 using vb.net and asp.net. The user will on one page fill in a formfield, that will be send to the template once a button is pressed. The form will then load up, with the data posted. Already here i get the error "You cannot save data typed in this form". This error doesnt show up on my developing machine, since i have Acrobat installed, but the others at the office hasn't got it, and they get the error. I can imagine that very few of our customers have Acrobat, so its vital that this will function properly.
Anyway, as the error is shown, i cant type in anything in the form, making it really useless. It has been tested on more than 1 system.
My question is; Can i some how set this properly programmatically in some way?
When i am creating the forms programmatically i'm using ADCpdf, and i've tried with encryption.canFillForms = true, but that didnt work either.
OS: XP pro
Tools: VS .NET 2003, Abobe Acrobat 9 Pro.
Any questions? Please ask.
//Simon

Simon,
LiveCycle Designer and LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES are different products. Reader Extensions ES can reader extend AcroForms, not just XFA forms (XFA forms are the type created with LiveCycle Designer).
LiveCycle is a suite of many products, not just a single product.
> and they say that they believe that the form is saved in a "different" format.
Yes. LiveCycle Designer creates XFA forms and Acrobat creates AcroForms. They are indeed a very different format.
> I'm using Acrobat 9 Pro, but the function is only active in the template, not the form created by the template.
This is correct. Anytime you save changes to a form, the reader extensions are removed and need to be re-enabled. This is by design.
Geo,
He was looking for a way to enable rights programmatically.

Enable Reader users to save form from Acrobat Pro 6

I've found details on how to enable Adobe Reader users to edit & save forms when you use Acrobat Pro 8 or 9, but I can't seem to find anything on how to do it when you use Acrobat Pro 6. Can anyone help? ~ Taya

Thanks! I found out my company has Acrobat 9, so got that updated. Form now works!!

How to Create a Button for Reader Users to Save XML Data File?

The "Submit via Email" tries to launching the local email software, like outlook express. But public computer tends to use internet emails.
I am thinking of creating a button, allowing the reader users to save xml data filled in the form (same as the "submit via email" produces) somewhere.
anyone has a clue?
Thanks a lot!

You could create the shortcut at one machine, then copy it to the target as part of the logon script. Note also that this line contains an error:
"C:\Users\%userprofile%\Desktop\Org_chart_test.lnk"
It should read:
"%userprofile%\Desktop\Org_chart_test.lnk"

Allow standard users to save form data

Apologies if this has been asked before, I did a search but didn't find anything.
My client wants me to create a set of PDF forms that their sales team can use. The crucial features are:
Create a PDF with editable form fields
All font, styles and layout cannot be editable by standard users (using free version of Reader)
Users with standard Reader users can open, edit and save these forms including the data they contain
The main thing my client wants to achieve is sending out sales documents that are always nicely formatted (users can't change text size, style, add random pictures, etc.)
I have Adobe Pro version 9.4.5. I've tried the following:
Choose Advanced > Enable User Rights In Adobe Reader.
Read the instructions that appear, and then click Save Now.
But the 'Enable User Rights in Adobe Reader' option is greyed out and not clickable. Is there a good solution for how to do this? Am I doing something wrong?

That would normally work, although the menu item is: Advanced > Extend Features in Adobe Reader
Reasons it may not work include you have security applied or the document is marked as a PDF/A document and you're viewing it in PDF/A mode. What does it say for security when you select: File > Properties > Security

Allow users to save form data

I am throughly confused about what I need, so I'm sorry, I'm sure this thread is a duplicate of several that are out there, but most of it seems to talk over my head.
I have a VERY old version of Adobe Acrobat (version 5.0, yes gasp in horror). I have the VERY old version of Acrobat Distiller (version 5.0). I have a form that was created in these versions of Acrobat. It works perfectly, even in the new version of Reader (v9), excpet that the form data can't be saved, not a shocker.
What software do I need to purchase to get my old form to allow people to save the form data, WITHOUT them having to download any extensions for their Reader?
I hope that makes sense.

Hi,
LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES is part of Adobe's server product and can be very expensive. In addition to the cost of the sever component, you need to pay a fee to Adobe to apply the reader extensions to each form. It is intended for government agencies and large organisations.
The ability to reader enable a form from within Acrobat is intended for ad-hoc forms that won't be going out to a lot of people.
When you design a form in LC Designer, you can specify the target version of Acrobat/Reader (in the File/Form Properties/Defaults). This allows you to check that all of the functionality that you build into the form, will work for your users.
When you reader enable the form it will still work with the target version that you have set in LC Designer.
When you reader enable with the full LC Reader Extension ES server product, you are basically turning ON features for users with Reader.
However when you reader enable using Acrobat, you are turning ON features like allowing users to save data. But at the same time Adobe are turning OFF some features like data connections.
It really depends on how many data processes you want with the form. If it is small then stick with Acrobat. If you are a large organisation looking to improve data collection and processing then you should look at LC Reader Extensions ES.
Hope that helps,
Niall

How to Allow Reader Users to Save XML Data and Send?

A huge problem w/ LiveCycle Designer is (this is what I found), by clicking the "Submit via Email" button, the Adobe Reader is trying to connect to the local default email program, like outlook express.
However, public computers are usually banned the users to launch an email program, and users are more likely to check email within a webpage. I noticed a number of students close the Reader after filling out the form but failing to send back the data.
Anyway that I can allow a Reader user to be able to save .xml data file so he/she can attach to web-based email?
Thanks Everybody!

If you have Acrobat there is a subset of Reader Extensions functionality available in there that will allow you to Reader Extend the form to do local saves. The license agreement limits you to 500 uses. If you need more than that there is a server option that is more expensive but has no limits on users.

Reader 5.1 DOES save form data. But where??

I have used Reader 5.1 for the past couple of years to fill in some forms. It will save the filled-in data when the form is closed despite the fact that's it's apparently not supposed to be able to (and save as, email, etc. all indicate that the data would be lost because I'm not allowed to edit the file). I always assumed it was in the pdf, but this year, I noticed something odd: I had to fill in two copies of the form with different data. After filling it in once, I copied the pdf and overwrote all the data in the fields with the new data. Now, whenever either one is opened, the first data displays briefly and is then overwritten with the second data.
So...
The data is saved when it can't be.
This version of Reader doesn't even support saving the data, but it's saved anyway.
Data that was typed into one shows up in both.
Reader is not actually installed, but only extracted from the archive (works fine this way and doesn't muck my system up as much) so I can remove it when done (I use Foxit for all other pdfs).
Finally, the saved data will eventually disappear but the length of time appears to be volatile.
The form in question is an Alabama tax form if that helps (download link can be provided if you want it).
I want to separate the two lists of data and actually save it somewhere but I have no idea where it's saved. I believe the pdf got bigger after I added data but the modification date is unchanged, nothing obvious shows up when it's loaded into notepad and that doesn't explain how the second data showed up in the first file.
Help???

Thanks George. Unfortunatly, Enable Additional Features does not limit them to just editing form data. It also gives them the rights to use commenting and drawing tools. Looking to give people ONLY rights to edit and save form data. If that is possible. It'sa legal thing, we don't want them to be able to mark it up with comments.
Anybody know if this even can be done with Acrobat X Pro?
-billb

Acrobat prof 7 save form data

is there any option in Acrobat prof 7 that enable the save the form data in PDF.

is there any option in Acrobat prof 7 that enable the save the form data in PDF.
All versions of Acrobat can save form data.

Can't save form data?

Can't save form data in reader. Using acrobat 9 pro. Reader-enabling forms option is unavailable.

Save as>Reader Extended with Additonal Features Enabled should allow saving form data with Reader.

Adobe Reader won't save forms under Mavericks.

After installing Mavericks on a Mac, discovered that Adobe Reader won't save forms or e-mail them with the filled-in information. DOes anyone know a fix? Does anyone know if this is also true for Acrobat?

The reason is Adobe has not updated there software yet to play well with Mavericks. The fault is of course with the Adobe Software. I suggest you go to there web site and see if they have a fix yet for there software, If not all you can do is continue to check back with them or get on there fourms and see what others have to say about this same issue.

Allow reader users to save pdf form with data

I want to create a form that an adobe reader user can open and save a copy as a pdf with the data in the form. I know that requires reader extensions - what i can't seem to figure out is if I already have this included and how to do it. I have LiveCycle Designer ES 8.2 - which is the download I end up at when searching LC with reader extensions.
Does anyone have instructions on how to do this or know whether that functionality is available in the version I'm running?

You can add the Reader Extesnion right to save the form with data locally in two different ways.
1. In Acrobat Pro open the form and under the Advanced/Extend Features in Adobe Reader will walk you through a wizard. Once the wixard is finished, save the file and use that one. This technique is limited to 500 users by licence.
2. LiveCycle Reader Extensions Server has a User Interface that allwos you to pick the rights you want. There are no luser imitations to this option.
If you do not have either, option 1 is a lot simpler. You can download a trial copy of Acrobat Pro and try it.
Paul

Use Adobe Reader to Save Form Data

I use Acrobat 8 Professional to create several forms and enabled usage rights in Adobe Reader so that my users can save the form data locally using Adobe Reader 7 or higher. My questions are: (1.)Is there a limit to saving the form data? For example, the form can only be save 500 times per form or is it unlimited. (2.)If there is a limit to saving the form like 500 times, can the same form be recreated and the limit of 500 starts all over again? (3.)Do I need to purchase a license to save these form data? (4.)How many forms can have enable usage rights in Adobe Reader per Adobe Acrobat professional? The reason why i'm asking these questions is because I want to be in compliance with the Adobe license. My users don't have Adobe Acrobat Professional, but would like to use Adobe Reader to save the form data.

>(1.)Is there a limit to saving the form data?
It is my understanding that you can harvest data from a form 500 times whether that be from one user of 500 users.
>(2.)If there is a limit to saving the form like 500 times, can the same form be recreated and the limit of 500 starts all over again
You'd probably be walking on thin ice by trying that. Could be a loophole but maybe not.
>(3.)Do I need to purchase a license to save these form data?
Not if you stay within the limit that is stated in the EULA.
>(4.)How many forms can have enable usage rights in Adobe Reader per Adobe Acrobat professional?
Different forms? As far as I know there is no limit to the amount of different forms you use.
In my opinion, if you think you are going to go anywhere near the limitations of the EULA, consult with your attorney before proceeding. The form enabling function was never intended for large business use. Adobe has another, more costly, solution for that.

PDFMaker 9.1, Excel 2003, Users can't save form data

Hi Everyone,
I'm looking for some assistance with a problem.
I created a new form in Adobe Pro 9.1 bringing in an excel template. The final product looked great. I had our IT department post it on our Intranet, and some individuals commented back they cannot save a copy of the data they entered in the blank form. I tested with others where it works fine. I can't confirm 100%, but it seems whoever has the Adobe "Pro" version can save and those with just the "standard" cannot save. They get that message Save a Blank Copy of this Form, Data typed into this form will not be saved..."etc.
I tried going to Advanced-Extend Features in Adobe Reader, but that doesn't help either once posted on the website.
Any suggestions how to enable so that all users (1000's) can save their work they typed into the document if they wish?
Thanks so much in advance!

Not specifically addresses whatever is causing the issue.
Just an obtw re: "extended" PDF forms (which, if there are users of Adobe Reader, will have to be made use of):
When you "extend" a PDF form usage most comply with the "500 limit" of the EULA.
With "1000's" of end-users you may well be in harms way.
See Section 15.12.3 (PDF page 408 of 410).
http://www.adobe.com/products/eulas/pdfs/Gen_WWCombined-20080205_1329.pdf
LiveCycle ES avoids this but is costly.
Alternatively, piping out the user's form input to FDF and processing that at the server level could be done.
For this, you might have your IT folks give the FDF SDK a look over.
Be well...

How do I create a form that enables the user to save the form filled in?

When I create the form, save it and open it later, I get the message that the form can only be saved empty - without whatever the user filled into the text fields. Why is this and how can I enable the form to be saved including the content of the fields?

It should only say that when used with Reader versions prior to version 11. If you have Acrobat, you can Reader-enable the form, allowing it to be saved in versions prior to 11, and 11 as well. Exactly how you do this depends on what version of Acrobat you're using:
A9: Advanced > Extend Features in Adobe Reader
A10: File > Save As > Reader Extended PDF > Enable Additional Features
A11: File > Save as Other > Reader Extended PDF > Enable More Tools (includes form fill-in & save)

Enable Reader users to save form data

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