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Form Distribution and Data Collection/Retrieval

AlScott
Registered: Nov 2 2007
Posts: 123

I guess this one call fall into the Acrobat forum so here although the form was created with LiveCycle.
So here goes:

I've created a form that can be 'tracked' etc. I used Tim Huff's demo which worked wonderfully.

Now the problem is that the system only works with forms I have sent using the distribution system, it doesn't work with a shared file ie one on a server.

So this is what I want to do: User completes file on shared drive, and emails it back to me, and the data contained within the file gets added to the 'data set' file.

The only way I can currently see of doing this is by having a separate email account where any user can access the 'distributed' file which is reused each time and then sent back thus adding data to the dataset.

Does this make sense, is it possible?
Thanks
Al

My Product Information:
Acrobat Pro 8.1.2, Windows
photoaz
Registered: Aug 10 2007
Posts: 45
Hi Al,

We are doing the same thing with our forms but I have it set up like this. In each folder that needs a form is another folder with the Publication PDF and the Data collection PDF. The Master PDF is in another folder labeled Master PDFs (clever huh) You have to make sure when you set up the distribution the PDF are saved to this Data Collection folder at the time of setup. Then you can just set a link to the Publication PDF on the website for others to click on and download.

It doesn't really matter what email you use so long as who ever opens it has Acrobat on their computer so they open the return PDF and send it to the right folder on the server.

Hope this helps

Bill Guy

AlScott
Registered: Nov 2 2007
Posts: 123
Hi, photoaz
Yup - that looks ideal!!

Delay in reply is due to taking my 7 & 5yr old on vacation.
Yes that does make sense and will be trying that out tonite.

Now the next trick I have to look at is: A user needs to be able to see calls that are open...........Well I'm here till 3am so gives me plenty of time to investigate.

Al
AlScott
Registered: Nov 2 2007
Posts: 123
Hi,
Now I've got it all setup as per your idea and it works perfectly. The only thing you have to watch-out for is to make sure that initially you distibute "Blank" versions of the form that users save to their desktop, and then use them for submitting data.

OK - so we now come to one last snag. We've a range of Acrobat versions floating around our department, mainly v.7
Currently the only one who can open the "Call Report Form_dataset_0001.pdf" is me - so I effectively am the sole person who can view the logged calls.

I've compiled the form in Acrobat v6 - so there shouldn't have been - in theory - any probs......

Any ideas are welcome!
Al

Al [dot] Scott [at] muckleshootbingo [dot] net
AlScott
Registered: Nov 2 2007
Posts: 123
Actually, There's another interesting point here.
So I've a "helpdesk" type form. We now have an completed form in our "database" - all well and good. But how - and here's the question - if you open a 'call' to amend the status or any other aspect of the call, do you get it to update the dataset???