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How to Convert Fillable Fields to Text Fields??

Forum Index > General Acrobat Topics > How to Convert Fillable Fields to Text Fields??
2008-12-04 10:56:42
vpierdomenico
Registered: Dec 4 2008
Posts: 17
Answered

Is there an Acrobat tool or utility that will automatically convert all the fillable fields on a PDF to Text fields?

I currently take a PDF form with fillable fields, save it as a Postscript file (to remove the fillable fields) and then use Distiller to convert the Postscript file back to PDF. I then manually add in Text fields where all the fillable fields used to be...these text fields are later filled programmatically.

I figure there has to be an easy way to do this but I'm just too green in this area. Many thanks for any ideas and suggestions!

~VinceP

My Product Information:
Acrobat Pro 9.0, Windows
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2008-12-04 12:17:37
#1
rhickey
Registered: Sep 27 2007
Posts: 84
If I understand what you're asking correctly you could try using "Run Form Field Recognition" from the Form menu to see if it works for your PDF. I'm using 8 pro...i assume it's in the same menu on 9.
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2008-12-04 12:43:34
#2
vpierdomenico
Registered: Dec 4 2008
Posts: 17
Thanks!

I took a look and I see that if I have a regular PDF, the "Form Field Recogniition" can automatically create fillable fields. However what I need to be created are Text fields that I can assign variable names to (so we can programatically set the values instead of user filling in). Hence I'm looking for a converter that takes the "fillable form fields" and converts them to "text fields" with default variable names.

Text fields are the objects that get created by using the "Text Field" tool on the bar. You get a Text Field properties box where you can change the variable name and change appearance, action and a bunch of other properties of the text box.
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2008-12-04 12:59:22
#3
gkaiseril
Expert
Registered: Feb 23 2006
Posts: 4307
That is the best that Acrobat or LiveCycle Designer can do and if you want any calculations, you will have to code them yourself.

George Kaiser

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2008-12-04 13:03:02
#4
vpierdomenico
Registered: Dec 4 2008
Posts: 17
I'm okay with doing Calculations...do you think this is something I could do using Acrobat Javascript (once I figure that out of course :))
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2008-12-04 13:20:18
#5
gkaiseril
Expert
Registered: Feb 23 2006
Posts: 4307
It is not that hard. Acrobat JavaScript is an object language and for the most part the variation of JavaScirpt used by Acrobat is pretty standard and Adobe has documentaion for its variation and there are a number of eSeminars on demand at this site.

Auot field recogntion makes a best guess, but one has to fill in some details and you can rename the form fields.

George Kaiser

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2008-12-04 13:31:35
#6
vpierdomenico
Registered: Dec 4 2008
Posts: 17
To followup..I just realized that the fillable fields I'm talking about are exactly the same as the text fields I'm talking about..the only difference is the text fields are all set to "Read-Only" - big light bulb just went off in my head :) So in my Javascript I just want to change all the Text fields to be "read only" and I'm home freeeee.

Many thanks again guys!
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