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Is a Reverse data flow possible in Acrobat Forms

danahoffman
Registered: Nov 15 2006
Posts: 21
Answered

Have a database created with LiveClcle Designer 8.2, a Dynamic XML form for obtaining critical information on Member data for an organization.
data from form was collected in an Acrobat responses file and exported to an Access database an .CSV file.

Now I need members to confirm and verify their original data and make changes if necessary.
Is there a process to export the collected data individually into a Dynamic PDF form which is returned to the individual member to verify or make changes in their data, and then transmit the Dynamic PDF Form back to me?

Or any other suggestions.

dana hoffman
Hoffman International Investigations, LLC
Colorado Emergency Preparedness Partnership
dana [at] dh-llc [dot] us, 303-963-9600

Hoffman International Investigations, LLC
Complex Investigations, Protection Details, with Specialties in insurance Investigations, Rollover and Seatbelt and fatality Investigations on behald of Auto Manufacturers. major liability investigations. VP of

My Product Information:
Acrobat Pro Extended 9.2, Windows
thomp
Expert
Registered: Feb 15 2006
Posts: 4411
Why yes, there is. Although you need to either write some code, spend some money, or spend some time. Data can be imported into PDF in a number of different ways. You can manually import an XML or XDP data file in Acrobat Pro with the "Forms > Manage Form Data > Import..." menu item. You can also drag and drop a data file onto the Open PDF in Acrobat or Reader. You can write an Automation script to import the data. You can setup the LiveCycle form to import the data directly from an XML or Database file. And you can write an automation script to import records from a DB file and automatically send the files out through email. And these are just the options using Acrobat Pro on the desktop. If you've got a server you could use ColdFusion to serve up the filled in LiveCycle forms directly to the users. And of course there is always the Adobe LC ES servers, which cost a fortune, but allow you to do just about anything. But like I said up front, pre-populating forms and sending them back to the users takes time, money, and/or programming skills. This is not a feature that's built into Acrobat.If you are into the do it yourself thing, I presented a session on connecting forms to a DB and doing exactly the kind of thing you're asking about, at the PDF Central conference. You can download my slides from here:
http://www.pdfcentralconference.com/pdfcentralconference/evaluations.html

The session was called "Practical DB connected forms"

Thom Parker
The source for PDF Scripting Info
[url=http://www.pdfScripting.com]pdfscripting.com[/url]

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

Then most important JavaScript Development tool in Acrobat
[url=http://www.pdfscripting.com/public/34.cfm#JSIntro][b]The Console Window (Video tutorial)[/b][/url]
[url=http://www.acrobatusers.com/tutorials/2006/javascript_console][b]The Console Window(article)[/b][/url]

Thom Parker
The source for PDF Scripting Info
www.pdfscripting.com
Very Important - How to Debug Your Script