Possible to link fields from two different PDF files?

[Former Community Member]

I was wondering if it is possible to link the fields from two different PDF files?

My plan is to have a form package containing a master PDF titled "My Information" in which a user can input all of his own information (name, address, number, etc.). Then I want to have the rest of the forms in the package to auto populate with the information entered in the master sheet.

This way I can save the user from entering in all of this repetitive information (particularly when we're working with hundreds of forms, all containing repeating fields).

Thanks in advance!

[Thom_Parker]

This is a question that seems to come up consistently.  But there isn't a built-in or automatic way to link fields in different forms within a package.  It's too bad because it's a great idea that Adobe should have been on several versions ago.

Your idea of moving data from the parent PDF into the embedded files is a good one. It's more robust and easier to implement than trying to move data  between the embedded forms.  You'll need to put a button the parent form that runs a script to open each embedded file and copy the data over.  To simplify the code the form fields that get the common data should all have the same name. Also, it is not necessary to explicitly "Save" the embedded file to save the transfered data.  Just closing the document object returned from "doc.openDataObject" automatically saves any changes.

You do however have one significant problem with this scheme.  It will only work in Reader if the embedded PDFs are enabled with Save Rights, and the Parent PDF is enabled with Embedding Rights.  Save Rights can be applied with Acrobat Professional 8 or higher.  Embedding Rights can only be applied with the LiveCycle Rights Server.  So unless you have access to that server this scheme is only good for users with Acrobat Pro or Standard.

Thom Parker
The source for PDF Scripting Info
pdfscripting.com

The Acrobat JavaScript Reference, Use it Early and Often
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/acrobat/javascript.html

Then most important JavaScript Development tool in Acrobat
The Console Window (Video tutorial)
The Console Window(article)

[Former Community Member]

Thank you for your recent inquiry. The Editorial Staff will get back to you as soon as possible regarding your inquiry.

Response time is typically about 24-48 hours.

Please send customer service inquiries regarding your order to customerservice@firsttuesday.us or call (800) 794-0494.

Best regards,

The first tuesday Editorial Staff

[radzmar]

Hi,

you might look at this article by John Brinckman.

It describes a technique to share data in a form packages.

http://blogs.adobe.com/formfeed/2010/07/shared_data_in_packages_part_2.html

[Former Community Member]

Thank you for your recent inquiry. The Editorial Staff will get back to you as soon as possible regarding your inquiry.

Response time is typically about 24-48 hours.

Please send customer service inquiries regarding your order to customerservice@firsttuesday.us or call (800) 794-0494.

Best regards,

The first tuesday Editorial Staff

[Thom_Parker]

I've looked into that technique before.  It's a brilliant way to move data between the embedded files.  But it's got some issues.

1.  Data is only updated in the embedded forms then they are opened.  If the document is closed before all the forms are opened there is inconsistencies.

2.  The global shared state is not restored when the package is opened, so files stay inconsistent.

3.  In Reader the Parent doc must be enabled for Embedding Rights in order to save data into the embedded forms.  So, as presented, this is a Acrobat Pro/Std only solution.

All of these issues could be resolved by maintaining the complete form package state in the parent document, i.e., every value on every form.  The embedded forms are used for data entry and display only.  Of course the form is slower and data submission gets more complicated.  But by maintaining global state the form will work across the widest range of  versions and variations of Acrobat.

Thom Parker
The source for PDF Scripting Info
pdfscripting.com

The Acrobat JavaScript Reference, Use it Early and Often
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/acrobat/javascript.html

Then most important JavaScript Development tool in Acrobat
The Console Window (Video tutorial)
The Console Window(article)