Import data from text file

Question

We are trying to import data from a text file into fields in a form using the importTextData method for the Doc object. The script we are using looks like this:
var doc = event.target;
var returnCode = doc.importTextData("datafile.txt",0);
The text file "datafile.txt" contains tab separated values in a header row (which corresonds to field names in the form) followed by tab separated datarows - all according to instructions in the API.
The returnCode will result in an integer value, which in our case represent "Error: Invalid Row". It would help us a lot if anyone could give us a hint on what may be wrong or even better post a working solution.
We have also tried using the importTextData method without any parameters (the user is then prompted to select the text file and then the specific row) but the result remains the same. The fields in the form are not populated with data and the message "Error: Invalid Row" is returned.
Annika Lindqvist

Answer 1

The problem you're experiencing is that importTextData is an Acrobat API call. As such, it executes on the AcroForm field equivalents to the XFA fields you've placed on the form. What's not indicated in the API for importTextData is that the names in the fields in the header of the text file must be the
full AcroForm SOM expression.
I've created a working sample to explain this.
First, I created a form with a table with one row in it containing 3 columns named FirstName, LastName and Country.
Then I created a data.txt file like this:
FirstName LastName Country
Fred Jones USA
Kyle Francis Canada
Sam Roberts UK
I then placed a button on the form which calls "event.target.importTextData();" and ran the form in Preview.
Of course, when I selected a row for import, nothing happened.
I then used the "Avanced | Forms | Export Data from Form..." menu option in Acrobat after filling-in the fields in the table with some text and looked at the generated text file (note that you have to specify text as the output format). In there, I was able to figure-out what the full AcroFrom SOM expression was for each field I wanted to import data into.
I changed my data file to look like this:
form1[0].#subform[0].Table1[0].Row1[0].FirstName[0] form1[0].#subform[0].Table1[0].Row1[0].LastName[0] form1[0].#subform[0].Table1[0].Row1[0].Country[0]
Fred Jones USA
Kyle Francis Canada
Sam Roberts UK
Afther that, importTextData worked as expected without any errors.
Stefan
Adobe Systems