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Hi Sean,

My main confusion is about access to a preexisting PDF file/Form like I mentioned above.
You mentioned that

"1) I can extract the fields names, including the accepted values used in checkboxes, radio buttons, etc. Then I could automatically create the key-value pairs to save you some time. You would only have to supply the values."

How can you extract fields names and their accepted values on a form, without having Acrobat Professional ?
In your example you manually create these fields on the PDF file usingAcrobat Professional. So is it correct to assume that I would also need Acrobat Professional to do the same with the Form I mentioned above ?

Also the form I mentioned above, is "Locked" so even if I had Acrobat Professional, I don't think I can accurately find data related to the field's names ?

I don't know much about Acrobat, so I apologize for the above questions if they appear redundant.

I think your technique could have a huge impact on the way I do my forms at my work.

Thank you again.

Xoomaster

@xoomaster

Hey, I managed to figure out how to extract field names from locked forms. I needed to include two additional Java libraries, both free. I used your DMV form as a test, and here's a screenshot:
http://www.grantwoodtechnology.com/test/populating_pdf_forms_field_info_...

I could use your help with something. Should I automatically create a main key-value pair record for each field found? Maybe you don't want to populate every field, like some of the checkboxes. You would have to delete the unused key-value pairs, or you could just leave them, although that would add clutter.

Sean

This is awesome . I am very much interested in how you extracted the Filed names ?
To answer your question, Yes, it is much easier to delete what is not needed than to create. You could leave a dummy calculation in the field like "" if needed.

Here is a challenge :

Ideally, you want your users to just pick a PDF file and then automatically give them the "Name of the fields" in that PDF. At that time, they will have the option of creating their own calculations and key-value pairs and submitting only what they are interested in filling.

I appreciate your effort. Please let me know how to extract the field names though.

Xoomaster

@xoomaster

While I can extract the field names from your DMV form, I'm having difficulty populating the form. According to the security settings, the filling of PDF form fields is allowed, so you would think that the fields could be filled programatically as well. Will have to research some more.

Sean

Let me know how it goes. I had tried creating forms and doing Javascript for calculations within PDF forms, but PDFs are generally not easy to work with. One of the major problems include data import and export from and to PDFs.

Please remember the above form is just an example, so don't worry too much if it doesn't work out.
I do like to learn about the above process though.

@metamora

The solution requires version 9.

Sean