People have been using Adobe Acrobat to convert paper forms to electronic ones for many years now, but developments from Adobe have created confusion about the best way to create and use PDF forms. Here we will explain the different methodologies Adobe uses with forms; from the backend database to form design interface; and, how […]
View PostForm Flattening is a technique developed by Appligent in 2001; whereby, the data contained within a PDF form field is drawn directly to the page as page content; and, the original form field is removed from the document. PDF form fields; sometimes referred to as AcroForms, are a type of PDF annotation similar to hyperlinks […]
View PostA PDF form field is a type of “Widget” annotation whose purpose is to allow an end user to interactively enter data in a manner similar to filling in a paper based form. Following is the list of available field types: Text Button Check Box Radio Button Choice Signature Form fields within PDF are extensible; […]
View PostA Forms Data Format (FDF) file is a formatted ASCII file which contains key:value pairs defining the field names and associated values that are used to populate a form. Forms Data Format (FDF) is defined in the international stand for Portable Document Format; ISO-32000. See ISO-32000-1:2008 Section 12.7.7. Following is an example of a simple FDF file: […]
View PostAcrobat JavaScript is a cross-platform scripting language. Through its JavaScript extensions, Acrobat exposes much of the functionality of Acrobat and its plug-ins to the document author. Acrobat JavaScript objects, properties and methods can also be accessed through Visual Basic or C#. Note that you cannot access the actual page contents via JavaScript. Use Plug-ins if […]
View PostIn the December issue of “Ask the PDF Expert”, we answered a question posed by Owen W., of Oak Ridge, TN. Owen asked simply: “Is there an easy way to choose between Designer/XFA and regular PDF forms?” Choosing between XFA and Acroforms technologies has to start with a sorrowful glance at the need to choose […]
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