Pre-populated PDF forms and form submission

Ok, I must be blind or something, I've searched for answers to this question, and see unanswered posts around the web, and if there are answers, they don't help. Perhaps if someone can answer this, it will help many others as well:
I've read about how FDF/XFDF (the older method) can be sent to the client side, which will open the specified PDF file (as specified using the "/F" flag in the FDF) and load the fields values also specified in the FDF (using the /FIELDS and /T flags, etc.). I was recently told that XFA is the new format, but reading the docs is not clear to me.
QUESTION: What is the proper method to pre-populate the FIELDS of a PDF form (created using LiveCycle Designer, or Acrobat, or whatever) that gets sent to a client browser? Changes to this pre-populated data gets re-submited via an HTTP post button (or whatever) back to the server.
Note: At the server backend, say using C# in Visual Studio 2005, I can simply read the posted HTML form and store the fields values into a database; However, I need to be able to pre-populate these PDF forms with selected patient names, etc., so that healthcare officials can complete them more easily BEFORE they get posted back to the server. These pre-populated fields (some of them anyhow) must STILL be editable (not flatten to static text or something).
Thanks.

From your description, is doesn't sound like it has anything to do with the virtual enviroment. It does sound like the forms simply need to be Reader-enabled. This allows Reader to save filled-in forms, which is necessary when you want to email them. If all of your users can use Reader 11, the forms do not need to be Reader-enabled since it is capable of saving non-enabled form. To enable a form in Acrobat 10, select: File > Save As > Reader Extended PDF > Enable Additional Features

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PDF form submission problem - works in Acrobat and Reader, but not when embedded in browser

Hello everyone,
I am trying to submit a PDF form to an application server.
To do this, I added a "Submit" button to the PDF, configured the server's address and submit format, and tested the button.
I opened the PDF in Acrobat Pro, clicked the button, and my web application received the form in PDF format just as I wanted.
To make it work in Reader, I had to extend user rights via Acrobat Pro, and then the form worked inside Reader as well.
Up to here, everything went fine.
Then I embedded the PDF in a web page (which will be the final scenario) and it all stopped working.
The submit button doesn't do anything anymore, and no data is sent to the application server.
I even tried switching from the form's submit mechanism to calling event.target.submitForm(...) in Javascript directly, but nothing changed (meaning this too worked only when opening the form as an "offline" pdf, but not when embedding it in a web page).
Is there something I am missing? Something else that must be configured/activated in order to be able to submit the PDF when it is in the form of an embedded object?
Many thanks in advance,
Alex

Thanks for your reply, Paul.
I tested the submit button both in Reader 9.3 and Acrobat 8 (which is the same I used to RE the PDF).
Apparently I got it working too, but only by deploying my embedding web page to an application server.
The final environment the PDF will be embedded into will be inside a web application deployed to an application server, so I guess my problem is solved.
It didn't work only when embedded into a local test.html web page saved on my PC...
Thanks again, have a good day.
Alex

Populating PDF Form with XML File.

Hi,
I need my PDF form to be populated with the data in XML file.I've created a data connction to the file and binded the values to my fields.When I've opened the form in Reader/Acrobat i'm not able to see any date on the form.
Currently,I'm using "xfa.host.importData()" to import an XML file on a button click.It is working fine.But I need to load the data on Form Load itself.
I'm relatively new to PDF technologies.Any help would br gratly appreciated.
Thanks in Advance.

The binding feature in designer just allows you to describe how to map fields to data elements, not to actually populate them autotmatically. You would need to have a server component to merge data / pre-populate or a script on your reader-enabled form to load the data. You can use xfa.host.importData() in DocReady event if you want it to prompt on loading the pdf. Earlier events in the chain wont work until the form has been properly loaded.

Is it possible to add files to a PDF form submission?

Hi there,
Someone asked me to add an attachment field to a PDF dynamic form. Based on previous research we figured out that will not be possible: our users don't have Acrobat - just Reader - and we won't purchase Reader Extensions. How about using a form field to help the user send the attachments that a are required with that give form? For instance:
- User would fill in the form and when asked for attachments he/she would browse for the file.
- The form would save the file name as text on the form (like the answer for a text field)
- The PDF form would memorize the location of the file(s)
- When the user hits "Submit" the PDF form would gather the files listed for attachment and add them as attachments - in additon to itself - to the email created by the submission button.
That way the attachments are not saved as part of the PDF form, but the PDF form is automating the process of adding them to the submission email.
Is that doable with LiveCycle Designer? Any tips on how to go about coding/building those actions?
Thanks in advance,
AV

If your user is using Adobe Reader and wants to add an attachment to your PDF file... you need Adobe LiveCycle Designer Reader Extensions to do that...
If your user is using Adobe Acrobat Pro then u can add attachments with this
var myDoc = event.target;
var sFile = "myFile" + NumericField1.rawValue;
myDoc.importDataObject({cName: sFile});
var myDataObject = myDoc.getDataObject(sFile);
var sFileName = myDataObject.path;
ListBox1.addItem(sFileName,sFile);
NumericField1.rawValue = NumericField1.rawValue + 1;
you can also remove the file
myDoc.removeDataObject(sFile);
you can also open the file
myDoc.exportDataObject({ cName: sFile, nLaunch: 2 });

LiveCycle/PDF Forms Submission Help

Hello all,
I've recently been tasked with updating the website for my employer, a County Public Safety Department in PA. We currently accept forms from a number of other departments in all forms. Some come via FAX, some email, etc. We're trying to simplify the process and put all of the available forms on our website, and allowing them to be submitted electronically. My boss wanted me to look into FDF, but it seems that is a bit outdated.
At this point, I simply need some help determining exactly what software I need.
I need to have a multitude of documents available on the website and once filled out, they need to go to a myriad of people. I see an email submission is fairly easy, but as this is government, they want things sent to several people and logged in a central location. What software do I need on the server to accept the documents? They don't neccesarily need to go into a DB, but that option is available.
Thanks
jdestefano911

Hi,
If considering PDF forms, then it is important to consider what software the user will have to open/fill in/submit these forms, e.g. Acrobat or Reader or third party PDF viewers.
Before you deploy a form you can entend its functionality for users with Reader. If you don't do this, users with Reader will only be able to submit by http.
Here is a summary of deployment options and the features/restrictions in each case: http://assure.ly/etkFNU. Click the link at the end of the post for the summary.
If processing a lot of data then it may be worthwhile considering components from LiveCycle Enterprise Suite. http://www.adobe.com/products/livecycle/. Particularly when requiring logging of interactions and a workflow with different outcomes.
Maybe talk to an Adobe rep in your area.
Hope that helps,
Niall

Saving dynamically populated pdf forms

We have forms developed in Live Cycle that are dynamically populated.
We have extended these forms in Acrobat so that users may save them with the pre-populated data.
Our issue is that the user must manipulate the form in some manner, such as changing a field, in order for it to be saved with the pre-populated data.
Is there a way we can enable the user to simply open the form that has been dynamically populated and save it with this data simply by doing a "Save As"?
Thanks in advance for any help offered~
~Chris

> So, it appears that a server product is necessary to utilize and activate Reader Rights for users... Is this correct?
No. Acrobat Pro 8 and 9 can activate certain rights, such as saving, which is what you said you did in your original post.
Like I said earlier, the problem you're experiencing is odd, and may be related to the way the form was created in LiveCycle Designer or the way in which you are populating the form with data. If I were you, I would pose this question in a Designer-related forum. Include the details related to how the form is being dynamically populated. It would also be helpful to be able to look at a document in question.
George

2 problems with populating pdf forms

I created a form in LiveCycle on top of an existing PDF. The form has 2 text fields (a company name) and an image (a company logo), and all are dynamically populated depending on who requested the form. I am using CF 8 to read the database and populate the fields. See tags below.
1. I have tried a zillion different ways to generate a line feed in one of the text fields but to no avail. In all cases, the characters actually appear in the output text.   Supposedly the LiveCycle doc says I can use udf escape sequences like "\u000d\u000a" but those do not work Other attempts included '\x0d\x0a' " \r" "<br>" \line but to no avail.
Does anyone know what character sequence to embed in a text field to cause a line feed in the output PDF?
2. I cannot find any documentation on how to specify the value for an imagefield on the PDF form. I am trying to place a company logo but nothing comes out on the pdf. Apparently I need something other than value="logofilename.jpg" but I can't find any doc on what to use.
Here is my code - very simple:
        <cfpdfform source="#sourcePDFpath#" action="populate">
            <cfpdfsubform name="topmostsubform">
                <cfpdfformparam name="txtAssocName" value="#Trim(assocName)#"> 
                <cfpdfformparam name="txtAssocAddress" value="#Trim(assocAddrFields)#"   > 
                <cfpdfformparam name="logo" value="1.jpg" > 
            </cfpdfsubform>
        </cfpdfform>
Thank you, in advance, for your help!

Not sure if there is a way to pass a graphic into a PDF like that, but I've done it lots of times by positioning the graphic onto a PDF file using the iText java library (ships with CF). Might want to head over to http://www.lowagie.com/iText/ to check it out.

Help with PDF Form Submission

Hello,
I am using Live Cycle for the first time. I have designed a PDF form that my clients will fill out and then send back to me.
I have a website and thought submitting the form via http would be best but am having a problem with knowing the correct URL an then the server authentication.
When I try to submit now I get an authorization error.
Here is the URL I used in LiveCycle - http://watchmymvp.com/profilesubmissions
This is to a folder a created on the server.
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Thanks

Hello Paul,
Thank you for your reply.
I use Ipower for my hosting. I see they use sendmail and the path on the server is - /usr/sbin/sendmail. Would this work?
The way I would like this to work would be:
1) I e-mail the PDF form to the client
2) Client opens and fills in the form
3) They hit submit and the form information eventually gets e-mailed to my business e-mail
I chose to use the HTTP method instead of e-mail because the PDF form says it can not be saved and if the client uses an internet beased e-mail like Yahoo it gets kind of messy.
But, does the HTTP delivery method make it more difficult since this is not embedded in a website?
Sorry, I did not realise this would be as involved as it is. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Fillable PDF form submission

The fillable PDF form on our website won't send when I press the submit button with fields completed on the form.
Robert

Hi;
The issue is that in a web browser you are not guaranteed that Adobe Reader or Acrobat will be used to display the PDF and Acrobat/Reader are required to fill out and Submit a FormsCentral PDF.
We recommend that you do not make the PDF available to be filled out in a Web Browser - this FAQ goes into more details:
http://forums.adobe.com/docs/DOC-4142
Thanks,
Josh

Combo box with multiple variables pre populating multiple fields and max value validation script help

I am creating a pdf form that will be used as a calculator, and my javascript knowledge is pretty rudimentary. I can do the simple things, some of what I need to do is over my head.
1. I believe I need to use a combo box to pre populate certain fields. I have 13 variables in the dropdown to choose from, and whatever the client chooses will pre populate three other fields (and each of the 13 variables will populate those three fields differently). I'm not exactly sure how to go about doing this. Is it custom keystroke script or does it require a document script? Also, I'm guessing that whatever script will be a series of if/then statements, correct?
2. Once all the fields have been populated (be it pre population or filled in by the customer), I need to calculate the answer which is not my main problem—I already have the proper calculations in place and they work. The problem is that the answer has a maximum value even if the actual value goes over that max number. So, the actual answer is 14 but the max value can only be 12. How do I get the calculation to replace that actual number (14) with the max number (12)? Is that in the validation tab or should that go elsewhere?
I feel like I know just enough to be dangerous but not terribly effective. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks!

1. There is a tutorial on this here:
http://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/change_another_field
2. To set the maximum value to 12, try this as the custom calculation script for the field:
//Custom calculation script
//Get value of text field
var a = this.getField("Text1").value;
//If it is > 12, then make it 12
if (a > 12){
a=12
event.value = a
You need to replace "Text1" with the name of the field in your form.

Adobe PDF Form (submission by email) - ok on desktop, but using Adobe Reader on iPhone cannot 'submit'

I recently created an Adobe form (Adobe XI Pro) with a 'submit' button - submission by email (not using Forms Central). The form works well on desktop (Outlook 2010), but when I open the same PDF on mobile (Adobe Reader installed), the 'submit' function is a dud - does nothing. Any ideas for a fix? Thanks.

If your user is using Adobe Reader and wants to add an attachment to your PDF file... you need Adobe LiveCycle Designer Reader Extensions to do that...
If your user is using Adobe Acrobat Pro then u can add attachments with this
var myDoc = event.target;
var sFile = "myFile" + NumericField1.rawValue;
myDoc.importDataObject({cName: sFile});
var myDataObject = myDoc.getDataObject(sFile);
var sFileName = myDataObject.path;
ListBox1.addItem(sFileName,sFile);
NumericField1.rawValue = NumericField1.rawValue + 1;
you can also remove the file
myDoc.removeDataObject(sFile);
you can also open the file
myDoc.exportDataObject({ cName: sFile, nLaunch: 2 });

Opening & pre-populating a form from another form

I am designing a form with Designer 7.0 whereby the user enters data into repeating subforms. This data is used to populate another form which repeats according to the number of instances created in the first form. I am wanting to create a button on the first form which the user can click so that the second form is opened and already populated with the data from the first form (which remains open). I am unsure how to go about this. Can anyone suggest some script which would get me started?

You could also use OPEN_FORM(form_name,ACTIVATE,SESSION). This opens the second form in an independent session which will allow you to toggle between forms and commit on a single form only.
Creating independent sessions is usually appropriate for forms that access different tables and independent logical transactions.
The Oracle Forms Runform must be running with the Session option turned on when you use the session parameter in the OPEN_FORM call.
Dpending upon your requirement, you may use OPEN_FORM or as Bogdan suggested use the RUN_PRODUCT with ASYNCHRONOUS option.

Populated PDF form in Preview shows as blank when viewing

I have a pdf template form that I have filled in.
I did this in Preview and used 'save as' to create my copy.
However, the thumbnail preview of the pdf shows as blank, and if i send it windows users or preview it in gmail, it also shows as blank.
To start with I thought that I had accidentally saved the wrong version, but no, I can double click the pdf in Finder, and it opens in Preview with all the data present, exactly as I had saved it.

What I have noticed is that if I send the pdf to another mac user, they can see all the info fine. If I send the output from Preview in gmail, and someone downloads it, they can only view the information if they click on the "highlight fields" button, but then it still doesn't look quite right, with loads of expander "+"s all over the form.
When I tried opening the form in adobe reader from the link you provided, I get a different view again. I can examine each field and view the individual data items, but it is not possible to 'show all fields'

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Hello;
I have XP Pro SP2 with Acrobat Pro 8.1.0 I have received a form that is in PDF format. But I can't populate its fields. That is, when I try to type in the field, nothing happes. I have played around by going to Tools and checking the Form but haven't been able to resolve it.
Hope someone can help and step me throug...
Regards...
J

There is no security on the document, so it would be easy to use a variety of different tools to populate the form (as Robert said, it is a PDF of a form, but is not a fillable form. This aspect of a form or a fillable form is a distinction that the IRS has used for a long time, though most of theirs are now fillable.
To fill it out, there is always the by hand method (probably what most of the customers use), the typewriter tool, the text touchup tool (holding the ctrl key as you place the cursor), or create your own form fields.
I would probably just get out a pen and PRINT. A bottle of white out might be useful if you are sloppy, but you can always make another copy and fill it out. Pencil is probably not acceptable. Just be sure it is correct and easy to read.
Before I go further, I would ask them if they have a fillable version. If they do not understand the question, don't push it.

How do I programatically pre-populate pdf form?

I would like to merge a xml document into a pdf file programatically (php). Is this possible, or is Adobe LifeCycle server a requirement?

If the author of the form allows it, forms can be filled out in Adobe Reader. That's assuming of course they are "real" forms with data input fields, not just graphical pages that emulate printed forms. If they are proper forms, you will need to use the current version of Adobe Reader/ Acrobat or else form fields may not appear or be ignored e.g. by the built-in PDF handler in Google Chrome.
Mylenium

Pre-populated PDF forms and form submission

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