How to enhance your PDF forms with JavaScript: Difference between revisions

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'''Introduction'''
[[Category:PDF_Forms]][[Category:EN]][[Category:PDF]]
 
=Introduction=
{{TOC_Forms_sidebar}}


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.  
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'''
=Information and References Available=
 
The Adobe Web Site has two free references available on JavaScripting
 
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/acrobat/javascript.html
 
Acrobat JavaScript Scripting Guide (PDF, 2.5M)
 
Acrobat JavaScript Scripting Reference (PDF, 7.1M)
 
'''Acrobat Community'''
 
'''JavaScript Corner'''
 
http://www.acrobatusers.com/tech_corners/javascript_corner/index.php
 
'''JavaScript User Forums'''
 
http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx?13@@.3bbedaa6
 
'''PDF Planet'''
 
http://www.planetpdf.com/
 
 
'''Some useful JavaScript examples'''
 
'''1. Insert the current date into a Text Field (DateField) when the PDF is opened.'''
 
snip--------------------------------------------
''function date()
 
{var fld = this.getField("DateField");
 
 
fld.value = util.printd("dd mmmm yyyy",new Date());
 
 
}
 
date(); // call my function''
 
snip--------------------------------------------
 
To place this function, on Menu select Edit - > JavaScripts -> Add


The Adobe Web Site has [http://www.adobe.com/devnet/acrobat/javascript.html two free references] available on JavaScripting:


You can cut and paste the code from this page. There must be a Text Field on the page named DateField.
* Acrobat JavaScript Scripting Guide (PDF, 2.5M)


* Acrobat JavaScript Scripting Reference (PDF, 7.1M)


'''2. Insert the current year into a Text Field (Year) when the PDF is opened.'''
==Acrobat Community==


snip--------------------------------------------
* [http://www.acrobatusers.com/tech_corners/javascript_corner/index.php JavaScript Corner]


''function Year()
* [http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx?13@@.3bbedaa6 JavaScript User Forums]


{var fld1 = this.getField("Year");
* [http://www.planetpdf.com/ PDF Planet]


=Some useful JavaScript examples=


fld1.value = util.printd("yyyy",new Date());




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


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


snip--------------------------------------------


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


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




'''3. Hide a Text Field (zzztext) when the PDF is viewed on Screen but allow the field to Print.'''
To place this function, on Menu select''' Edit - > JavaScripts -> Add'''


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


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


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


title.display = display.noView;
}
HideView();// call my function''
snip--------------------------------------------


To place this function, on Menu select Edit - > JavaScripts -> Add
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
You can cut and paste the code from this page. There must be a Text Field on the page named '''zzztext'''
 
 
 
'''4. Create a Print Button'''


==Create a Print Button==




Line 114: Line 78:
Next select the Action Tab –> choose JavaScript and then in the default Mouse Up event -
Next select the Action Tab –> choose JavaScript and then in the default Mouse Up event -


Click on Edit and insert the following
Click on Edit and insert the following:


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


''var pp = this.getPrintParams();
==Create a Text Field with the Date Printed which only appears on the printed document==




pp.interactive = pp.constants.interactionLevel.silent;
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


pp.printContent = pp.constants.printContents.formFieldsOnly;


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


this.print(pp);''


snip--------------------------------------------
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.


'''5. Create a Text Field with the Date Printed which only appears on the printed document.'''
==Create a Combo Box which updates a text field==


snip--------------------------------------------
* create the Combo Box (Text1) with the content:
<pre>
one
two
three
</pre>
* create the Text Field (Text2)
* add the following action on "on blur" to Text1:
<pre>
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'
}
</pre>


''function Print()
==Create a Checkbox which updates a text field==


{var oDate = new Date(); // get the current date time object
<pre>
 
var one = this.getField("Checkbox1");
var sDate = util.printd("mm/dd/yyyy h:mm t" , oDate); // format date time string
var two = this.getField("Text1");
 
if (one.value == 'Yes') {
this.getField("TimePrint").value = "Printed: " + sDate + "m"; // fillin the field value
    two.value='500'
} else if (one.value == 'Off') {
    two.value='300'
}
}
 
</pre>
Print();// call my function''
 
snip--------------------------------------------
 
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.

Latest revision as of 06:46, 14 January 2011


Introduction

  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

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'
}