Tutorial: Importing a Fillable PDF Form and Collecting Responses

created by Randy Swineford on Oct 6, 2012 10:18 PM, last modified by Josh_Corey on Jan 29, 2014 7:51 PM
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    FormsCentral allows you to import an existing fillable PDF form and use the FormsCentral service to collect and analyze the submitted data. You no longer have to recreate your existing PDF forms within the service in order to take advantage of FormsCentral’s data collection/analysis capabilities.

     

    You can use popular tools like Adobe Acrobat or Adobe InDesign to create fillable PDF forms that work with FormsCentral.

     

    To import a PDF form go to the “Create New Form” tab, and select “Import a PDF Form.” Note: FormsCentral does not support most PDF forms created using the LiveCycle Designer (XML-based forms). The following FAQs describes what types of PDF forms can/cannot be imported and what functionality is limited within the PDF once imported:

    Issues encountered while importing an existing PDF form

    Import PDF error for Dynamic XFA form from LiveCycle Designer

    Import PDF: Static XFA form PDFs (LiveCycle Designer)


    Import PDF - My Forms Menu Item.PNG

    Once imported the normal Design tab is replaced with an “Imported Form” tab that allows you to place a Submit button on the PDF form. You can place it on the top left or right of the first page, or place it on the bottom left or right of the last page. A thumbnail shows where the button will appear.

    Imported PDF - Form File.PNG

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    The Options tab shows options that are available for PDF forms (Note: PDF Forms do not support Redirect URLs or Payments so these are not shown)

    Import PDF - Options tab.PNG

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    The Distribute tab allows you to Open the form and download the submit-enabled PDF file for distribution.

    Import PDF - Distribute tab.PNG

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    The Response and Summary Report tabs will show the data submitted from the PDF form. They function as they do for a normal form file that you created from scratch or template.

     

    Anyone with the free Adobe Reader or Acrobat (versions 8.0 or later) can fill, save and submit the PDF form.

    Note: If you respondents cannot submit the PDF or are having issues while filling out the form they probably are not using the Adobe Reader/Acrobat. Read this FAQ for more info: http://forums.adobe.com/docs/DOC-2653