Sunday, April 6, 2008

How to Combine PDF and FDF URLs to Fill Forms?

Another way to automatically fill an online PDF form is to append an FDF file reference to the PDF form's URL. In this case the FDF file must omit the PDF form reference (the /F key). When the user follows the link, Acrobat/Reader opens the PDF and fills the form fields using the FDF data. The FDF file reference must be a full URL:

http://localhost/fine_form.pdf#FDF=http://localhost/fine_data.fdf

Or, it must reference an FDF-generating script instead of a file. For example:

http://localhost/fine_form.pdf#FDF=http://localhost/fdf_data.php?t=42

You should use this technique of referencing both the form PDF and the FDF data in a single URL when displaying filled-in forms inside of HTML frames.

You really must use a web server to test these techniques. Windows users can download IndigoPerl from http://www.indigostar.com. IndigoPerl is an Apache installer for Windows that includes PHP and Perl support.

FDF can also contain PDF annotation (e.g., sticky note) information. Use the preceding techniques to dynamically add annotations to online PDF. Create example FDF or XFDF files by opening a PDF in Acrobat and adding some annotations. Then, select Document Export Comments . . . (Acrobat 6) or File Export Comments . . . (Acrobat 5).

1 comments:

Unknown said...

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