Form number in header that exports with form data

[DKinsley]

How can i have a form number that is entered into a textfield located on the Master page that will export that form number with the form data? I tried Global binding with an identically named textfield on the design page (hidden) but the data does not export to the spreadsheet.

[Niall_O_Donovan · Accepted solution]

Hi,

That's not what I am seeing here. When exported to XML data files and when these are then merged into a spreadsheet, all Master Page objects (with Global Binding) are in the spreadsheet with their data intact.

Can you share your form?

Niall

[DKinsley]

I see now that if you have the textfield on the Master page and the user tries to enter data into it, it is not saved and therefore not exported. I will have to come up with another way to get a field in the Master Page that will export.

Thanks for your time Niall.

~Don

[Niall_O_Donovan]

Hi Don,

That is not the behaviour that I would expect. Something else must be amiss.

If I have an object on the Master Page and the user inputs data, I would expect that data to be saved and for the data to export. The export is dependant on the object binding been set to Name/Normal or Global.

Is there script in the object or a default value that is kicking out the inoutted data?

Also check that the File > Form Properties > Defaults tab, has Preserve Script Changes set to Automatic.

Niall

[DKinsley]

Niall,

I checked File > Form Properties > Defaults tab, has Preserve Script Changes set to Automatic and it is set to automatic. That's where it should be set right?

I did find the binding was set to "No Binding". I fixed that and changed it to the name of the field. Now it saves the number I add as a user when I save the form. However, it still does not export. Here's the form example...

https://acrobat.com/#d=TsrZjskpRGoACeacpMPdaA

[Niall_O_Donovan]

Hi Don,

When uploading files to Acrobat.com you need to Publish them so that others with the URL can access them. Just complete the Publish step and I can then use the link above.

Niall

[DKinsley]

Sorry - first time using that service.

https://acrobat.com/#d=TsrZjskpRGoACeacpMPdaA

~Don

[Niall_O_Donovan]

No problem Don.

Here is the form back with an exported XML file and a merged spreadsheet (csv format).

https://acrobat.com/#d=bXKajK*JWrKAUE4ujAR6cw.

You will see that the string (1234) that I inputted into the Master Page TextField did export.

I did change the binding from Name/Normal to Global, becuase objects like this on the Master Page will need a Global binding, so that the inputted value will appear on all pages. However from an export point of view Name/Normal would also work.

Does that solve it?

Niall

[DKinsley]

Maybe I have not explained this well.

After I place the textfield in the Master Page and save the form, that textfield is blank.

The user opens the form and enters a form number in that textfield. He says the form and then exports it. When I do that, the data does not export.

[Niall_O_Donovan]

Hi Don,

I understand what you are saying, but that is not the experience I am seeing here.

• I took your form and opened it in Acrobat.
• I inputted a value (1234) and saved the form.
• I closed it and opened it again. The data was still in the textfield.
• I exported the data to an XML file. The data exported.
• Using Acrobat, I merged the XML file into a spreadsheet and the data was in the spreadsheet.

It is behaving as I would expect it to.

When the user opens the form are they using Acrobat or Reader?

If they are using a third-party PDF viewer OR if they are in a Mac environment and opening the form in Apple Preview, then this may explain why the data is not present.

Niall

[DKinsley]

They are using Acrobat. To export they go to Tools/Forms/More Form Options/Manage Form Data/Merge Files Into Spreadsheet  - choose the saved form and export.

[Niall_O_Donovan]

Okay,

I am using Acrobat X and got it working.

Then try exporting to XML first and then merge the XML into a spreadsheet (two-step process). All from the same menu.

Let me know how you get on,

Niall

[DKinsley]

we are also using Acrobat X Pro. Yes, this two step process does work.

Thank you for solving this for us!

~Don

[Niall_O_Donovan]

You're welcome!