Not all fill-in PDFs retain data - Why?

[Freehold Fred]

I often fill-in online PDF forms, save and can reopen with data. Some PDFs cannot save the data. If I export the data in Acrobat as a separate FDF, I can later import the same back into my PDF.

When first created, what property of a PDF (using full Acrobat or what used to be called Acrobat Writer), blocks the data from being saved with the PDF?

[Dan18960]

Fred,

When you say "on-line" - are you refering to a website or your own LAN?

Some cgi code automatically clears the forms on-line and move the data to a database report. Others just dump the data if it is for user defined options.

IF this is on your LAN then that is another issue.

[Freehold Fred]

Dan,

Thnx for the comeback.

By online, I really mean that either I open a PDF (originated from the web) in my browser or save to disk and then open. The former creates a tmp file, the latter creates a bonafide .PDF. Either way, I edit and fill in my data. I am not referring to my LAN. Examples are IRS forms, which permit fill-ins and saves with data as opposed to many NJ Tax forms which do not permit the data to be saved with the form. File | Export exports the data into a .FDF (sic) file. In order to recall the data, first the PDF must be opened (comes in unpopulated) and then File | Import imports the form data.

There has to be a setting (security or otherwise) in the created PDF file to make it work this way. It is NOT a network issue. There is no CGI as far as I know, because I can download the PDF file and get exactly the same results.

Another late one, tax filing extension notwithstanding.

Fred,

When you say "on-line" - are you refering to a website or your own LAN?

Some cgi code automatically clears the forms on-line and move the data to a database report. Others just dump the data if it is for user defined options.

IF this is on your LAN then that is another issue.

[kelly]

I don't know the exact answer, but it's something the author of the files does when they generate the pdf. As you said, some forms allow you to enter data, most only allow you to view/print. As far as I know, there's nothing you can do to change it using a pdf Viewer.

Acrobat, Corel Writer, and probably other apps will allow you to edit pdf files, but that's not your question. I just threw that in because I use Acrobat a lot to edit pdf files.

- tony

[Freehold Fred]

Exactly, I want to know what the author did. I have Acrobat and want to understand this setting/option --- wherever it is --- more clearly.


I don't know the exact answer, but it's something the author of the files does when they generate the pdf. As you said, some forms allow you to enter data, most only allow you to view/print. As far as I know, there's nothing you can do to change it using a pdf Viewer.

- tony