Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions and answers for FDFMerge.
How do I create forms with Acrobat? Do you support forms created by Adobe LiveCycle Designer 7.0?
Form fields can be added to your PDF file using the AcroForms tools.
In Acrobat 6 & 7 use the forms toolbar under:
Tools Menu > Advanced Editing > Show Forms Toolbar.
In Acrobat 8 and 9 the forms toolbar is under:
Tools Menu > Forms > Show Forms Toolbar.
We do not currently support forms created by Adobe LiveCycle Designer 7.0. You will need to create your form fields as mentioned above.
Updated: 2008
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Why is the formatting of my data not being preserved?
It is good practice to format your fields, directly within the FDF file, as you would like the data to appear in your output PDFs. If you are flattening formatted form fields (e.g. "currency") you will need to include the entire data string for that value in your FDF file. For example, if the value of the field is to be $1,234.00 in the output PDF file, the value in the FDF file needs to be /V ($1,234.00). The value /V (1234) in the FDF file will appear in the flattened PDF file as 1234. FDFMerge and FDFMergeLite have a new command line feature, -norebuild, which can be used to allow for formatting of merged fields. However, this feature will not work on stamped fields.
Updated: 2007
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When stamping images into a PDF, can the size and positioning of the image within the form field be controlled?
FDFMerge scales images equally in the horizontal and vertical directions to best fit the fields. It also centers images within the fields so any blank area is evenly divided between right and left or top and bottom. Users cannot specify that they want the image to always touch the upper left corner of the field or that they always want a 50% scaling. If using a limited number of images, the user can choose the field size and proportion of height and width to best display those images. For example, if all images are scans of 8.5" x 11" portrait-oriented pages, the ratio of height to width can be set to 22 x 17, meaning fields could be 66 units high and 51 units wide, or 220 units high and 170 units wide, or any other similar ratio. If using something like a random selection from a clip art library, results are not likely to be consistent.
Updated: 2007
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How do I stamp using a barcode font?
In order to stamp using a barcode font, you will need to use a FormInfo file. A FormInfo file contains information on the attributes in a PDF form field that will be applied to the fields in the output file. Here is a sample entry for a FormInfo file:
BeginField
FieldName (Field1)
FontName (Enter the font name here)
FontFile (enter the complete path to the font here)
FontSize (enter optional font size. If omitted, the font information from the original PDF form field will be used)
EndField
Make sure there is (at least) one space between the parameter and the value above. Once you have your FormInfo file created, you would use the following command line syntax:
fdfmerge -p -f forminfofilename.txt -o outfile.pdf inputfile.pdf inputfdf.fdf
Updated: 2007
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Does FDFMerge support button fields?
Yes. Button fields are supported in version 3.7 and higher.
Updated: 2007
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Does FDFMerge support signature fields?
No, FDFMerge does not support signature fields. Although the Adobe Acrobat forms tool may be used to add a Signature field, it will be ignored by FDFMerge. Fields supported are: text, multi-text, radio buttons, checkboxes, combo and list boxes. Button fields have been supported since version 3.7.
Updated: 2007
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Can I merge into a read-only field?
Yes, FDFMerge will allow you to successfully merge data into read-only form fields.
Updated: 2007
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Do you have examples of running FDFMerge?
Yes, you can find ASP, Perl, Java, PHP and Visual Basic script examples on our website at:
http://www.appligent.com/support/script_samples/script.php
You can also contact Support at support@appligent.com for additional information.
Updated: 2007
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Can I merge into a secure/encrypted PDF File?
FDFMerge does not have the ability to merge a PDF form that is secured or encrypted. However, with FDFMerge 4.0 you can secure/encrypt the output PDF.
Updated: 2007
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What are FDF Templates and does FDFMerge support them?
FDFMerge does not support FDF Templates. The Form Data Format (FDF) supports a construct known as 'Templates'; where, within the Acrobat environment, the FDF file will cause additional pages to be added to the PDF file as they are needed. FDFMerge does not support FDF Templates and will not add additional pages to a PDF file. However, our other product FormAssembler does support FDF Templates. For more information on FormAssembler, please visit http://www.appligent.com/products/form_assembler/form_assembler.php
Updated: 2007
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Is FDFMerge available for HP/UX?
Yes, FDFMerge for HP-UX is available. Please contact our Sales Department to purchase.
Updated: 2007
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Do I need to set the MIME type for FDF on my server?
Since FDFMerge delivers a completed PDF file and does not deliver an FDF file to your browser, you do not need to set the Type for FDF files to use FDFMerge. If you want to add the type for another reason it is application/vnd.fdf.
Updated: 2007
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I am getting the error "Exception: File Open Error", what could be causing this?
Causes of the "File Open Error" are:
- There are not enough permissions on the files. All files need full access permissions.(rwxrwxrwx)
- The file is open. Make sure files are closed in all other applications before merging.
- Wrong filename or directory path. (Most common and easiest mistake to make.)
- File is checked as Read Only (WindowsNT). Go into your General Properties and uncheck Read Only.
Updated: 2007
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Can I run my one copy of FDFMerge on more than one computer?
No. The FDFMerge license is for one computer. The FDFMerge license allows you to use one copy of the software on a single server and make one backup copy of the software, provided your backup is not installed or used on any computer. To run the application on more than one server you would have to purchase additional licenses. Contact our Sales Department for additional licenses and information on multiple license discounts.
Updated: 2007
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Can I save the output PDF files anywhere on my computer?
Yes you can save the new pdf form output file anywhere on your computer provided the directory permissions allow you to do so. If you do not know anything about permissions, please check with your system administrator.
Updated: 2007
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Is FDFMerge thread safe?
Yes, FDFMerge is completely thread safe.
Updated: 2007
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I am getting the error "File does not begin with %PDF" what does this mean?
The PDF file's source begins with %PDF. The application checks to see if the file is truly a PDF File. If it is not it will return this error. Make sure that you list the PDF filename before the FDF filename on the command line. If the FDF filename is before the PDF file name, the application will return this error message. Correct Example: fdfmerge sample.pdf sample.fdf. Incorrect Example: fdfmerge sample.fdf sample.pdf - Wrong.
Updated: 2007
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I get the message "Expected a number object" when running FDFMerge on my PDF file which contains JavaScripts.
Your JavaScript most likely sets the field's background or border color to a grayscale color, such as color.ltGray. Workarounds:
- Use the RGB color when setting the color from JavaScript. You may refer to page 86 of the Acrobat JavaScript Object Specification for more information. Example:
light gray: f.fillColor = [ "RGB", .75, .75, .75 ]; white: f.fillColor = [ "RGB", 1, 1, 1 ];
- Set the color through the Field Properties Dialog as follows: Choose the field tool, select all the fields in the document (cntrl+"A"), double click on one of the fields, and select gray as the fill color. You must also remove the line from the JavaScript that sets the field's background or border color.
Updated: 2007
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My file size has increased using Type 1 Fonts, is this expected behavior?
Each time a font file (with a .pfb extension) is listed in the FormInfo file, the size of that file will be added to the final output PDF file. If a font file is 60k in size, 60k will be added to the final size of the document. If the same font file is listed ten times, 600k will be added to the final size. Keep this in mind if you need to keep file size small. If the same font is to be used throughout the document, add the font file only in the Header section, then the file size will only be added once.
Updated: 2007
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My checkboxes stamp solid black. I made my form with Liquid Office Form Designer. How can I get them to stamp properly?
Liquid Office uses grayscale colors for white, black and shades of gray. FDFMerge expects RGB colors only. You can fix this in 2 ways:
- Use Liquid Office to change the checkbox backgrounds to transparent or any color but pure white, pure black, or a shade of gray.
- Using Acrobat, examine the properties of each checkbox field and click Ok. You don't need to change anything, just click Ok.
Updated: 2007
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Can I use FDFMerge to merge the pages of a regular Word Document into a PDF form?
No. FDFMerge does not merge any other kind of file or data other than FDF (Forms Data Format) into a PDF Form. FDF files can be created in any text editor including Word, but if they are not in FDF Format FDFMerge cannot merge the data.
Updated: 2007
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What does FDF mean?
FDF stands for Forms Data Format, the file format used for Adobe Acrobat Forms data. This file would contain the form information that gets merged into a PDF form by FDFMerge. For an example of an FDF file go to our FDFMerge examples page.
Updated: 2007
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How do I "Clean Up" a PDF form that fails to merge?
You may receive a PDF form that does not merge and produces errors. This is generally due to "mal-formed" PDF files that have been created by software other than Adobe's Distiller. We usually run problem files through Distiller as a way to "clean" them up. Listed below are instructions for running your file through Distiller:
- Open your PDF in Acrobat and remove all the form fields
- Go to the File Menu > Hit Save As
- Give the file a new name
- Under Save As Type, choose PostScript File (*.ps)
- Open Distiller and browse for this file or go to the directory where the file exists and double click on the file — this will open and run Distiller
- Once you have your "distilled file", open both the original file and the distilled file in Acrobat.
- You need to copy and paste all the form fields from the original file onto the distilled file:
- To do this under Acrobat 6 or 7, you need to go to the Tools Menu > Advance Editing> Select Object Tool
- Hit Ctrl+A or go to the Edit Menu>Select All (all form fields will be highlighted)
- Hit Ctrl+C or go to the Edit Menu > Copy
- Open the distilled file and hit Ctrl+V or go to the Edit Menu > Paste - at times when you paste fields onto a page, they are not in the exact location so you will need to move the fields around on the page -You will need to copy and paste the form fields for each page following the steps mentioned above.
Updated: 2008
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Go to the FDFMerge product page.
General and Miscellaneous
Acrobat Questions and Issues
Product FAQs
APCrypt
APUtilities
AppendPDF
AppendPDF Pro
FDFMerge
SecurSign
StampPDF Batch
StampPDF Plug-in
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