Using Import and Export commands, data within a PDF form can be moved to and from other file formats capable of preserving form data. The form data can be exported and repeatedly used to fill out other forms, which can be useful for speeding up form filling especially for a large number of forms.

The process includes exporting form data which can be saved in one of the following file types, FDF, XFDF, XML, or TXT and then importing those to fill empty forms.

To export form data from a single filled form

  1. Open the PDF file that contains form fields.

  2. Choose Form > Advanced > Export Data .

  3. Specify a name, location and file format in the Export Form Data As dialog box.

  4. Click Save. The form data is then stored in the file type and at the location you defined.

To import data into a PDF document

  1. Open a PDF file that contains unfilled forms.

  2. Choose Form > Advanced > Import Data .

  3. In the Select File Containing Form Data dialog box, specify a file type (FDF, XFDF, XML, TXT) and locate the file with the form data you need to import into the open form.

  4. Click The form data will be inserted into the proper fields as long as the chosen form contains data that are suitable for the currently open form.

Export data from multiple forms

Form Data can be exported from multiple forms to the file types XML and CSV (Comma Separated Values).

The file types can be opened by Excel or Notepad. The field names in the forms become the header texts for the columns. You can export form data of all field types except for digital signature fields.

  1. Open a PDF file.

  2. Choose Form > Advanced > Export Data from Multiple Forms .

  3. In the Export Data from Multiple Forms dialog box:

    • Click Add Files and choose the files containing form data to be exported. Click Open.

    • Click Remove Files to delete one or more files from the Files to Export Data Form list.

    • Check Include most recent list of files to export data from to add all recently exported form files to the list.

  1. Click Export when the file list is all set.

  2. In the Select Folder to Save File dialog box, specify a location to save, a file name, and a file type (*.csv) or (*.xml). Click Save.

  3. After the export is done, click View File Now if you would like to view the resulting file with your spreadsheet program. Otherwise, click Close Dialog to finish exporting.

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