How to enhance your PDF forms with JavaScript

Introduction

edit

1. Your first PDF form with Scribus
2. How to create an e-Mail PDF Survey Form
3. Your second PDF form with Scribus
4. Enhance PDF forms with JavaScript

If you have attempted the previous PDF how-to’s, you will be aware that you can create some powerful forms by using Scribus and Acrobat Reader. Unfortunately, Adobe has put restrictions on Reader so that it does not have all the capabilities of Acrobat Professional. However, there are many useful features still available, especially with using JavaScript to make Scribus PDF forms very useful.

Information and References Available

The Adobe Web Site has two free references available on JavaScripting:

• Acrobat JavaScript Scripting Guide (PDF, 2.5M)

• Acrobat JavaScript Scripting Reference (PDF, 7.1M)

Acrobat Community

• JavaScript Corner

• JavaScript User Forums

• PDF Planet

Some useful JavaScript examples

Insert the current date into a Text Field (DateField) when the PDF is opened

function date() {
 var fld = this.getField("DateField");
 fld.value = util.printd("dd mmmm yyyy",new Date());
}
date(); // call my function

To place this function, select Edit - > JavaScripts -> Add in Scribus menu.

You can cut and paste the code from this page. There must be a Text Field on the page named DateField.

Insert the current year into a Text Field (Year) when the PDF is opened

function Year() {
  var fld1 = this.getField("Year");
  fld1.value = util.printd("yyyy",new Date());
}
Year(); // call my function  

To place this function, on Menu select Edit - > JavaScripts -> Add

You can cut and paste the code from this page. There must be a Text Field on the page named Year

Hide a Text Field (zzztext) when the PDF is viewed on Screen but allow the field to Print

function HideView() {
 var title = this.getField("zzztext");
 title.display = display.noView;
}
HideView();// call my function

To place this function, on Menu select Edit - > JavaScripts -> Add

You can cut and paste the code from this page. There must be a Text Field on the page named zzztext

Create a Print Button

Create a Button Field

Right click with your mouse on the “Print” Button

A menu pops up and select PDF Options –> Field Properties

Next select the Action Tab –> choose JavaScript and then in the default Mouse Up event -

Click on Edit and insert the following:

var pp = this.getPrintParams();
pp.interactive = pp.constants.interactionLevel.silent;
pp.printContent = pp.constants.printContents.formFieldsOnly;
this.print(pp);

Create a Text Field with the Date Printed which only appears on the printed document

function Print(){
 var oDate = new Date(); // get the current date time object 
 var sDate = util.printd("mm/dd/yyyy h:mm t" , oDate); // format date time string 
 this.getField("TimePrint").value = "Printed: " + sDate + "m"; // fillin the field value 
}
Print();// call my function

To place this function, on Menu select Edit - > JavaScripts -> Add

You can cut and paste the code from this page. There must be a Text Field on the page named TimePrint.

You will also need to create a HideView function for the TimePrint Field some that the field is hidden from view until the document is printed.

Create a Combo Box which updates a text field

• create the Combo Box (Text1) with the content:

one
two
three

• create the Text Field (Text2)
• add the following action on "on blur" to Text1:

var one = this.getField("Text1");
var two = this.getField("Text2");
if (one.value == 'one') {
    two.value='500'
} else if (one.value == 'two') {
    two.value='300'
}

Create a Checkbox which updates a text field

var one = this.getField("Checkbox1");
var two = this.getField("Text1");
if (one.value == 'Yes') {
    two.value='500'
} else if (one.value == 'Off') {
    two.value='300'
}