Introduction

The PDF Form Filling & Flattening Tool is used to add, edit, complete and delete form fields in PDF documents. A control file controls the creation and processing of form fields and the data entered into the fields.

The tool is addressed via the command line. This makes it possible to process documents individually and in batches.

Brief description

Performance Characteristics

• Fully automated form processing
• Easy to control via a control file
• Easy integration
• Simple connection to databases
• High throughput

Areas of Use

• Incoming mail
• Outgoing mail
• Web-based form management
• Archiving

Functions

• List existing form fields (name, page, position, value)
• Fill in existing form field
• Create new form field (name, page, position, value)
• Delete existing form field
• Read/create encrypted PDF documents
• Define minimum and maximum font size for fields with an automatic font size
• Set owner and user passwords for the generated PDF document
• Set user authorizations for the generated PDF document
• Use a control file to transfer large parameter sets in a file instead of on Shell (text file, CSV, Unicode)
• Flatten form fields
• Set flattening mode to take form flags such as "invisible" or "print only" into account

Sectors

• Software manufacturers / OEM
• IT, e.g. web service providers
• Public sector
• Automotive industry
• Telecommunications
• Banking and insurance
• Health sector

Functions

The PDF Form Filling & Flattening Tool provides a precise analysis of existing form fields. It lists information such as name, page, position or value as required. The tool can be used to create new form fields or to delete existing fields. It also allows the user to set a value for existing form fields or check boxes. All functions are controlled via control files. It is also possible to dissolve form fields and merge the content with the page, whereby the form fields are then no longer editable. The tool is also capable of reading and creating encrypted PDF.

Functions

• List existing form fields (name, page, position, value)
• Fill in existing form field
• Create new form field (name, page, position, value)
• Delete existing form field
• Read/create encrypted PDF documents
• Define minimum and maximum font size for fields with an automatic font size
• Set owner and user passwords for the generated PDF document
• Set user authorizations for the generated PDF document
• Use a control file to transfer large parameter sets in a file instead of on Shell (text file, CSV, Unicode)
• Flatten form fields
• Set flattening mode to take form flags such as "invisible" or "print only" into account
   

Formats

Input Formats

• PDF 1.x
• PDF/A

Target Formats

• PDF 1.x

Benefits

Properties and Benefits

Third-party software is not required to use this program. Document processing, or rather reading, writing and deleting form fields and their content, can be fully automated. This makes it possible to create large quantities of PDF forms from databases or to read out data from incoming forms for further processing and protect the original form against manipulation.

Performance Characteristics

• Fully automated form processing
• Easy to control via a control file
• Easy integration
• Simple connection to databases
• High throughput

Areas of Use

Incoming Mail and Mail Processing

The Form Filling & Flattening Tool is ideal for implementing specific automated processes for incoming mail. It can convert field content, e.g. from web-based forms, into unmodifiable units to ensure secure further processing in the workflow. It is also capable of integrating new form fields to record important annotations during the process. It can read out field information to control further processing.

Areas of Use

• Incoming mail
• Outgoing mail
• Web-based form management
• Archiving

Others

Web and Mail Dispatch

Automated creation of personalized PDF forms into which database content such as customer address details or article details is filled directly.

Archiving

The tool freezes form fields and variable content prior to final archiving. The process enables PDF files to be stored in a PDF/A-compliant manner.

Sectors

• Software manufacturers / OEM
• IT, e.g. web service providers
• Public sector
• Automotive industry
• Telecommunications
• Banking and insurance
• Health sector

Technical Details

Architecture and Application Options

• The PDF Form Filling & Flattening Tool is available as a Shell tool.

Product Variants

• Shell tool (command line for batch processing)

Formats

Input Formats

• PDF 1.x
• PDF/A

Target Formats

• PDF 1.x

Platforms

Operating Systems

• Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 2008, Windows 7 – 32 and 64 bit
• FreeBSD 4.7 for Intel
• HP-UX 11.0 – 32 bit
• IBM AIX (4.3: 32 Bit, 5.1: 64 bit)
• Linux (SuSE and Red Hat on Intel)
• Mac OS X
• Sun Solaris (2.7 and higher)

Interfaces and Languages

Interfaces

• Shell tool: Command line for batch processing

Product Code

• FF

Related Products

• PDF Prep Tool Suite

Further Product Details

The PDF Form Filling & Flattening Tool is a professional shell tool for manipulating form fields in a PDF document. It is executed from the command line.