Form TF connected to a PDF form

[Azimut]

Hello.
The answer to my question has probably already been given elsewhere but I have not found anything so here it is: I don’t know anything about javascript (that’s important to say).

I want to create TF forms that would be connected to form fields of pdf files that I have previously created. The goal is to master from TF all my documents to send to my contacts (CRM).

Do you have a solution that is not too complex? Thank you for your help.

[Sam Moffatt]

I’m not sure I understand the question so I’ll make a few guesses at paths that could work.
If you’re looking to create PDF files to send to someone, then I would suggest leveraging the built in custom layout functionality because it is designed for printing Tap Forms content. This is available on the desktop version only but provides the ability to print custom layouts with Tap Forms data mixed in. This would mean recreating your forms inside Tap Forms but it is simple to do albeit time consuming.

If you want to splice data into existing PDF’s then I would suggest exporting the data from Tap Forms (see File > Export > Records on the Mac) and then you would need some sort of PDF aware mail merge tool or use something like Word which supports mail merge. I did a search and found a PDF mail merge tool but it’s for Windows and rather expensive.

Whilst it’s been a while since I worked with Adobe’s PDF Forms, but I have a recollection that it could submit data filled in from the form to a web server somewhere. I don’t precisely recall the details of the mechanism other than it was some form of proprietary Adobe format. To get data that someone inputs in a PDF form back to Tap Forms would require a server that supported Adobe’s format and then could translate the data into Tap Forms’ internal format. This would get data into Tap Forms from a PDF form but not Tap Forms data into a PDF form (not what I think you want but going to put it out there). Getting this to work wouldn’t be simple.

[Brendan]

Another possibility (but I don’t know if this is what you’re looking for) is to drag a PDF file onto a custom layout, scale it so it’s the right size to fit a page, then place Tap Forms fields over top the fields in the PDF. Turn off the fill and strokes for the fields. And you shouldn’t need labels either since I’m assuming the PDF would have them. I would also suggest locking the PDF file before you start dragging the fields in. To lock the PDF file, click the Layers tab and then click the lock button next to the PDF file layout object. This will prevent you from accidentally moving the background PDF file.

[Azimut]

Thank you both very much. Indeed I am familiar with the solution provided with Acrobat Pro. What I want to do is to centralize in tapform all my documents and data to avoid duplication and errors. I think Brendan’s solution may be suitable. I didn’t know that I could import an entire pdf and put the TF fields over it. Sounds really cool. Thanks for your help. I’ll try that approach. Have a good day.

[Author]

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