Overview

FDFMerge Lite and FDFMerge fill data into PDF forms automatically or on the fly. You can deliver live forms or “flattened” forms so field data cannot be changed. Filled in forms can be opened in Adobe® Reader®. You can also fill in high volumes of PDF forms on your server.

Note: This documentation provides instructions for both FDFMerge Lite and FDFMerge. Content that is specific to FDFMerge is followed by the notation: (FDFMerge only).

What Do FDFMerge Lite and FDFMerge Do?

FDFMerge Lite and FDFMerge are server-based, command-line applications that reliably combine PDF forms with form data to create a new populated PDF form.

In addition to combining forms and data, FDFMerge Lite and FDFMerge can:

  • Flatten forms — remove the active field and stamp the field contents directly onto the PDF document
  • Encrypt files — apply standard Acrobat security settings at 40- or 128-bit strength
  • Process XML — use XFDF in addition to FDF files
  • Process multiple forms using one FDF file

Addition features in FDFMerge only; a FormInfo file can be used to provide for:

  • Partial form flattening — you can flatten the entire form, or specify individual fields to flatten
  • Additional support for fonts — specify font information for form fields
  • Image stamping — you can stamp an image onto a form field
  • Format text fields — set font, point size, alignment, color, and more
  • Advanced typography – manage character spacing, word spacing and line leading
  • RGB and CMYK Color

FDFMerge Lite and FDFMerge can be used within a world wide web interface with CGI scripts. For your reference we have included a sample CGI script in Sample Perl CGI Script. CGI scripts are discussed in more detail in Automating FDFMerge Lite or Automating FDFMerge.

FDFMerge Lite and FDFMerge Components

FDFMerge Lite and FDFMerge use the following components:

  • PDF forms — PDF documents with form fields
  • FDF files — Text files which contain form data
  • XFDF files — XML files which contain form data
  • FormInfo files — Text files which contain information about customizing form fields (FDFMerge only)

PDF forms

PDF forms are interactive documents you create by inserting form fields into existing PDF documents. FDFMerge Lite and FDFMerge support the following form fields:

  • Buttons
  • Radio buttons
  • Check boxes
  • Combo boxes
  • Text boxes
  • List boxes
  • Multi-line text boxes

Note: FDFMerge Lite and FDFMerge do not support Signature fields.

FDFMerge Lite and FDFMerge identify the form fields by the names you assign to each. Refer to Acrobat’s on-line help for information on creating and using forms.

FDF files

An FDF file is a text file that contains data for a PDF Form. Data is associated with each form field by the name you assigned. FDFMerge Lite and FDFMerge can combine this data with a PDF form to fill in the form fields with the FDF data.

An FDF file or set of files may be generated from information contained in a database or gathered from data submitted on a web page. This kind of conversion requires user written scripts (for example, using Perl, Visual Basic, or JavaScript) to transform the raw data into one or more FDF files.

XFDF files

An XFDF file is an XML version of an FDF file. Data and form field names are embedded in XML tags.

FormInfo files (FDFMerge only)

FormInfo files allow you to specify individual fields to flatten, and to customize the properties of those fields.

Preliminary Concepts

Merging

When FDFMerge Lite or FDFMerge merges a PDF form with an FDF file, it places the data from the FDF file into the form fields on the PDF form. Each form field on the form has an associated value in the FDF file, identified by the name of the field. The form fields remain “live” fields, their values can be changed, and form actions taken.

Flattening

When FDFMerge Lite or FDFMerge flattens a form field, it removes the field and places the value of the field directly into the document. This is called stamping the information into the document. The information becomes a static part of the document.

How FDFMerge Lite and FDFMerge process a document

FDFMerge Lite and FDFMerge can merge and/or flatten a document in several ways. FDFMerge Lite and FDFMerge can:

  • Merge a form with an FDF file, leaving it a live form
  • Merge a form with an FDF file, and flatten the entire form at the same time
  • Flatten an already filled-out form. You do not need to use an FDF file for this
  • Merge a form with an FDF file, and flatten and customize some or all of the fields, using a FormInfo file to specify which fields (FDFMerge only)
  • Flatten and customize some or all of the fields of an already filled-out form, using a FormInfo file. You do not need to use an FDF file for this (FDFMerge only)

User Guide Conventions

This User Guide uses certain styles of text to indicate different information throughout the documentation. The following is a description of these styles:

  • Command Line user input: 
    $fdfmergeliteapp  -p -l <logfile.txt>
    $fdfmergeapp  -p -l <logfile.txt>
  • Cross Reference to other locations in the documentation: Introduction to FDFMerge. Click the colored text to go to the referenced link.
  • References to web sites for information: www.appligent.com. Click the colored text to open a browser to the website.
  • Code snippets: #!/usr/local/bin
  • Content that is specific to FDFMerge is followed by the notation: (FDFMerge only).

Note: You may see some paragraphs that start with “Note:”. These paragraphs are special notes relating to the subject matter where they are located.

.

In This Guide

The remainder of this guide comprises the following chapters:

  • Form Data Format (FDF) is a more in-depth treatment of FDF data files and PDF forms.
  • General Options describes the general options available to FDFMerge Lite.
  • FDFMerge Lite Options describes the command-line options specific to FDFMerge Lite.
  • Running FDFMerge Lite provides details and practical examples of running FDFMerge Lite on the command line.
  • Command Line Option Reference describes the FDFMerge Lite commands and the options you can use with them.
  • Applying Standard Security describes how to apply standard Adobe® Acrobat® security to the FDFMerge Lite output file.
  • Automating gives an overview of scripts, which you can use to create a Web interface if you plan to use FDFMerge Lite as an Internet solution.
  • Command Line Introduction provides a brief introduction to using command-line software on Windows and Mac OS X operating systems.
  • Sample Perl CGI Script is a sample script, based on the script used on our website for the FDFMerge email demo.
  • Example ASP and Java includes the code and notes for examples that come with FDFMerge Lite.
  • Troubleshooting contains tips and hints on solving some common problems.
  • Support provides instructions on how to contact Appligent if you run into problems.