VBA - Fill-in PDF Fields

How can one fill-in a pdf form field using VBA and Acrobat Reader (Not Adobe Acrobat)? Since using the plain reader a user can fill-in a form, I am looking to do exactly the same thing through VBA automation and then save the completed PDF. Open, add data, save and close.
I have looked high and low and found code for the full blow acrobat, but nothing yet with just the reader and since the reader obviously has the capability of filling in the pdfs, I'm assuming it can be done as well through VBA. Maybe my thought process is wrong?!
Thank you for the help and guidance. It is greatly appreciated.

If you are using Reader, you'll get a notice that it contains fields when you open it.
It looks like this:

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Need help with VBA to control PDF fields

Hi,
I am attempting to use Excel VBA to control Acrobat but cannot find any documentation on the syntax to modify fields within the PDF form.
I am able to commnicate with Acrobat using CreateObject ( "AcroExch.App") and point to the AVDocs, PDDocs, PDPage objects.
However, I cannot find any methods that would allow me to change fields on the PDF.
I am attempting something very similar to a mail merge where I
Open a template PDF document
Populate the LastName, First Name fields
Then lock (make fields ReadOnly) the above so the User cannot modify them
Then save the PDF with the prefixed Lastname & First Name.
The template PDF form is created in LiveCycle Designer & is a fillable PDF. It can be filled in Adobe Reader.
Am using Office 2007 Excel with the corresponding VBA - The VB code has a Reference to Adobe Acrobat 9.0 Type library.
Thanks

For an XFA document, try using the JSObject (http://livedocs.adobe.com/acrobat_sdk/9.1/Acrobat9_1_HTMLHelp/IAC_DevApp_OLE_Support.100.1 3.html) to control the form. I haven't tried this, but I think it's your best chance for the second and third things you list.

" This PDF document contains forms. The filling of form fields is not supported" -help?

I need to fill in & submit online forms but I keep getting the above message. I realise I can view and fill in the forms in an adobe window, but I need to do this online, and it is a secure website with the form imbedded. Is there any way I can have the "filling of form fields" supported so I can do this, please?

To switch from the less full featured built-in viewer to Adobe's Acrobat plugin, see the steps in this article: [[How to disable the built-in PDF viewer and use another viewer]].
Can you get it working?

Filling of form fields changing depending on how PDF is opened, why?

First of all, here is the error message that I am trying to deal with:
"This document contained certain rights to enable special features in Adobe Reader. The document has been changed since it was created and these rights are no longer valid. Please contact the author for the original version of this document."
Software & PDF details:
Adobe Reader 8. V8.1.1
PDF Producer: Toolkit http://activepdf.com
PDF Version: 1.5 (Acrobat 6.x)
The PDF is set to with:
Filling of form fields: Allowed
After investigation I have found that:
If I open the file by double clicking, I am able to fill in the fields and save without any problems.
If the file is opened as a result of a software process trigger (which is what I actually want to achieve), the "Filling of form fields" is changed to "Not Allowed". This then results in the error message described above.
Also, I have another PDF with exactly the same settings as above (PDF version and Producer etc), which successfully generates as a result of the software process trigger. This file that works does not change the "Filling of Form Fields" value.
So, my question is, why would a particular PDF change the "filling of form fields" value depending on how it is opened?

Ok, that is a useful result, telling us a lot.
Some background you need. Reader 8 CANNOT SAVE FILLED IN FILES normally. To be able to save them they must be specially prepared. This is called "Reader enabling". (In your original message, "rights to enable special features in Adobe Reader") To prepare a file Acrobat can be used, or a server product which has had many names but is currently LiveCycle Reader Extensions. If this is not done, the form cannot be saved, whatever its origin.
Now, a file may not be changed/damaged in even the slightest way after this preparation. This will produce the message seen.
So, your test seems to show
- the original file is OK, undamaged
- by the time the file is delivered from the database to the user it has been damaged/changed.
So, you now have a path to pursue through the software.
(To clarify: this only applies if you used Windows Explorer to save the file, NOT any save function in Reader; if you saved in Reader please repeat the test with Windows Explorer).
Message was edited by: Test Screen Name

Fill in pdf form fields from html form

hi
i went to this site http://accesspdf.com/html_pdf_form/
and saw that it worked great
so i downloaded their code, and uploaded it to my site (php friendly) and it gives me an error that the pdf file is corrupted
http://inovasphere.com/pdf/pdf_form_interface.php
can someone tell me what i am doing wrong? i made no changes to their code, just uploaded as is
OR
if there is another way to do this i am all ears. i want to user to fill in some fields online and then they click enter and then the fields of
a pdf file in the same directory get filled in, and it is then delivered to the user, and the fdf file is emailed out to the site owner
thanks!

i stared at that page for what seemed like an eternity before i even posted here and they dont say how to install pdftk on my godaddy server that hosts my site
is that what i am supposed to do? seems like a massive hassle. i have installed it on my PC and i use it with the DOS prompt, but there is a complete disconnect from what i do with the pdf file (dump_fields) and when i upload it to my site.
i still get 'wrong format' 'corrupted file' error
so unfortunately the site u are referring me back to doesnt tell the reader how to get the thing to work on their own site, which is why i posted here in the first place, hoping somebody would know. :)
thanks for the reply tho ....

Validate and warn user to fill a mandatory field in a PDF form

Below is a basic example of how you can assit your form users, by reminding them to fill the mandatory fields. This condition can be applied at various events like, printing, submitting, while filling form, etc. In the following example, validation is triggered when the user leaves the form field.
If a user clicks within the field and moves on without filling it, the following warning shows up.
See this help topic to know more about Form Level Validation settings.
See this help topic to other ways of validating user input.

Hi Carmen Alvarez,
You should use the USEREXIT_PRICING_PREPARE_TKOMP (module pool SAPLV60A, program RV60AFZZ) to move the value.
Thanks,
Mariano.

What are the security settings to lock down a form with fillable fields and yet allow someone with Reader to fill in the fields as will as save the form and print it?

What are the security settings to lock down a form with fillable fields and yet allow someone with Reader to fill in the fields as will as save the form and print it?

You want to allow someone to open your document and fill out the form (in the fields you have created), but not change or edit the form, right? Here's the answer - assuming you are using Acrobat Pro and someone will be opening the PDF using at least Acrobat Reader 9 and up:
Tools > Protection > Encrypt < Encrypt with Password
Answer YES to change the security.
A new window opens:
     Do NOT select Document Open (or that will require a password to open the document.)
     Select: Permissions (Check the box next to "Restrict editing and printing of the document.")
     Change the following 2 settings from the drop-down box:
          Printing Allowed: Select High Resolution
          Changes Allowed: Select Commenting, filling in form fields, and signing signature fields
          Leave selected: "Enable text access for screen reader devices for the visually impaired"
          Change Permissions Password (insert a strong password)
          Leave all other settings alone in "Options"
          OK - OK
          Re-enter the Permissions Password (the one you entered above)
          OK - OK
          Save the PDF to apply the security [notice that (SECURED0 will appear after the document title]

Fill a PDF form from Excel

Hello to all.
I've been googling around for days to find some examples to solve my problem but was unable to find a good one.
I’m using Excel 2007 and Visual Studio 2010
Normally I report the data using Excel itself (a workbook). Now the request I have is to fill a PDF file containing a form with a huge number of lines. This means the data i have in the columns and lines of the Excel Worksheet have to be entered in the PDF form fields.
The PDF file was created withAdobe LiveCycle Designer 11.0 and has the ability to allow the creation and deletion of as many lines as we need.
I do even have a way to know the PDF form fields names...
Can someone please give me a clue of how can i achieve this using VB?
Thanks in advance for any kind help.
Octavio

In that case the for loop would be:
for (var i = 0; i < 8; i += 1) {
sum += +getField("Total." + i).value;
So initially, the counter i is equal to zero, so the field name used with the getField method is:
"Total." + 0, which results in the string "Total.0". With each iteration, the variable i is incremented by 1, so the subsequent field names are the following:
"Total.1"
"Total.2"
"Total.3"
"Total.4"
"Total.5"
"Total.6"
"Total.7"
The script gets the value of each field, converts it to a number, and adds the number it to the running sum.

When using the "Fill & Sign PDF" feature, is there a way to stretch to size the text box, for a specific area on the page...instead of it going on in one straight long line...?

When using the "Fill & Sign PDF" feature, is there a way to stretch to size the text box on a specific area of the page...instead of the text box going on in one straight long line....? I'm not seeing there's an option or ability to do so, just wanting to confirm.

Improving the handling of multiple line text fields is in our plans, but for now, you will have to add manual carriage returns (Enter).
Thanks,
Josh

Using Database to fill in pdf forms

I have a question regarding using live cycle to fill out pdf forms using a data base. I am creating a side of my web site which would allow our members to select from preloaded pdf forms and fill them in automatically from their profiles on our data base.
The two essential components would be: a separate form created by the web site that reflects the pdf form.
A data base which builds the members profile every time they fill out a new form.
Steps to Using Site
1. Member selects a form from one of three areas
2. Form is filled from the members profile
3. Custom made form is created out of fields not covered profile to be filled out by member.
4. Custom made form adds to profile
5. Updated profile finishes filing out the pdf form.
6. Finalized PDF created
In order to have the website work intelligently and eventually fill out the majority of the form by itself, it will be necessary to standardize the field names common to all the forms. This will allow the profile information to find the correct fields that correlate to the database for every form.
As the member continues to use the site and build their profile, they will have less and less to fill in as the database will automatically do the work for them. Eventually, a member should be able to just choose a form and have it automatically filled and ready in a printable English version pdf format.
Is there anyway to do this through Live Cycle? I am not a programmer or a developer. However, I have business which has required looking into this. I would be willing to pay someone to help me with this. If any one should have any suggestions or can offer me their services, (paid of course) I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank You in Advance,
Maurice Kirksey
Vice President Transmunda

What application (including version number) are they using to fill-in these forms?

Setting "Filling of Form Fields" document property to "Not allowed"

I am using Adobe LiveCycle Forms, and I want to set the property "Filling of Form Fields" as "not allowed" in the pdf documents it renders (that property
can be found in the "Document Properties" window of Adobe Reader, under the Security Tab).
Is there any way to set it , in the server (using the EJBClient class that renders the form) or
in the client (via javascript)?.
Thanks

[email protected] wrote:
> I am using Adobe LiveCycle Forms, and I want to set the property "Filling of Form Fields" as "not allowed" in the pdf documents it renders (that property
> can be found in the "Document Properties" window of Adobe Reader, under the Security Tab).
>
> Is there any way to set it , in the server (using the EJBClient class that renders the form) or
> in the client (via javascript)?.
>
> Thanks
You should be able to set this on your XDP file from within Designer. Go to File-->Form Properties
and you'll see a PDF security tab there with the same options you have in Reader.
Justin Klei
Cardinal Solutions Group
www.cardinalsolutions.com

The filling of form fields is not supported

I created a fillable pdf with the 30 day trial and am trying to load onto our Wordpress website. I am receiving this message when I attempt to open the file and test, "This pdf contains fields. The filling of form fields is not supported." Help.

Your PDF is in web space. That means that to access it you have to use a browser. Today many browsers have a built-in PDF reader that is, well, less than adequate.
Some resources that may help.
Browser Troubleshooting
"Can't view PDF on the web"
http://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/cant-view-pdf-web.html
"Display PDF in browser"
http://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/display-pdf-browser-acrobat-xi.html
Be well...

Filling out PDF forms in Landscape Mode

I have used Preview to fill out PDF forms in Portrait mode and it's very nice because I can save the modified file and email it to others, or just keep it for reference. Anyway, I downloaded a PDF form and tried to fill out the text. It highlights the form fields just right, with the blue glowy rectangle and everything, and when I type in the text it appears just fine, until that field loses focus, then the text goes goofy--it shows up starting at the right hand side of the field and goes in the wrong direction. It's as if Preview still thinks that the PDF is in portrait mode even though it's in landscape mode. Do you know what I'm doing wrong or if there's a fix out there?

http://www.graniteschools.org/C13/Professional%20Growth%20and%20Evalua/Document% 20Library/SEWE20050602.pdf

Fill a pdf form with data using Java code

Hi,
Modern formats of Acrobat ".pdf" files allows to define form fields.
I have a datasource, let's say in a database.
I want to fill my ".pdf" with my database-stored data automatically, and want to write Java code for that.
1. What is the best way to achieve this ?
2. Is it necessary to install Acrobat Distiller server and if so what web services should I invoke ? Where is the doc ?
3. Are there efficient Java libraries to do so ?
Thank you for helping... As ever, this is kind of an emergency case
Have a good day.
Phil

Take a look at the FDF Toolkit for Java:
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/acrobat/fdftoolkit.html
That will allow you to, through Java, construct an FDF that contains all your form data. You then add a reference to your "template" PDF file in the FDF as well and send the FDF to the client. Acrobat will open the FDF, see the reference to the PDF, open the PDF and then merge any data contained in the FDF with the PDF.

Problems with filling out PDF forms

We have problems with filling out PDF-forms. Aotomatic filling of forms is deactivated and we use the Adobe Reader 11.0.05. The problem is: After some time the inputs are wrong put down in the form. For example: I write 120 and in the form stands 125. We have already extinguished the cache. Thanks for your help in advance.

You will get that first message when the document has been changed in a way that invalidates the internal digital signature that's applied when a document is Reader-enabled. Certain changes are allowed (e.g., filling fields, commenting, signing) and will not invalidate the signature, but others are not. The exact cause of the change is often hard to track down, but it can be due to font problems, some type of file corruption, or something that Acrobat/Reader attempts to correct when the file is opened/saved. You will also get the message if the users system time is not correct and is currently set to some time before the document was Reader-enabled. It seems best to use the most recent version of Acrobat to enabled the documents and recent versions of Reader to work with them.
It problem is probably not related to the user using anything in the Sign pane.

VBA - Fill-in PDF Fields

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