Using JavaScript to automate tasks

[JohnSmithUSA]

Hello,

I want to:

1. Count text fields with specific color using JS (text fields are created manually with PDF-XChange).
2. Insert into them their respective number or string (like SOMETHINGX, SOMETHINGX+1 and so on).
a) clean all fields before step 2
3. Change color of each text box (without mundane, manual work) of each box.

Are these magic tricks possible?

Cheers

[Will - Tracker Supp]

Hi John,

Thanks for the post - This should be possible using JavaScript. We support most of the features of the Adobe JS API. Please see the reference manual here:
https://www.adobe.com/content/dam/acom/ ... erence.pdf

We don't typically write scripts for our users, the onus is on users to write any scripts they need themselves. On rare occasions (i.e. when it's exceedingly quick simple, or when it's of a benefit to a large amount of users) we may write them.

Thanks,

[JohnSmithUSA]

Ok, I understand. I don't have IT background, but will try to fight on my own.

If anybody has too much free time, I'd be really glad to receive any help. Thanks in advance.

[Will - Tracker Supp]

Hi John,

If you do struggle, we'd be happy to help guide you. Alternately, if you can get the general outline of the script but just can't seem to get it working properly, feel free to sent the document & script and we can help from there.

Cheers,

[JohnSmithUSA]

Adobe API js handbook, page 447

var count = 0;
for ( var i=0; i<this.numFields; i++) {
var fname = this.getNthFieldName(i);
if ( this.getField(fname).type == "text" ) count++; }
console.println("There are " + count + " text fields.");

Result:
There are 0 text fields.
undefined



This script doesn't work... or it has different understanding of text field. I want to calculate text field created by user.

[Tracker Supp-Stefan]

Hello John,

Those should be actual form text fields - and the script will then work and give you their count:

Maybe the objects you have are text box annotations?
Can you share with us a sample file with the objects that you want to modify visible - and we will then be able to advise further!?

Regards,
Stefan

[peydisegna]

I'll chime in.

The same problem.
I attach my results.

http://docdro.id/3Prdck4

[TrackerSupp-Daniel]

Hello Peydisegna,
I see that as Stefan mentioned before, you've used text comments, instead of form fields.
For this to work you will need to use Form fields, This article should help you:
https://www.pdf-xchange.com/knowle ... -PDF-forms

[JohnSmithUSA]

Why my script doesn't work?

var count = 0;
for ( var i=0; i<this.numComments; i++) {
var fname = this.getNthCommentName(i);
if ( this.getField(fname).type == "comment" ) count++; }
console.println("There are " + count + " comments.");

[Tracker Supp-Stefan]

Hello John,

Where are you getting those scripts from?
I could not find methods with those names you try to use here:
https://www.adobe.com/content/dam/acom/ ... erence.pdf
So if you got this code from somewhere else - most likely those were defined elsewhere and you missed their definition?

Please try something like this to work with annotations on a PDf's page.

Code: Select all

var annots = this.getAnnots({
nPage:0, 
nSortBy: ANSB_Author,
bReverse: true
});
console.show();
console.println("Number of Annotations: " + annots.length);
var msg = "%s in a %s annot said: \"%s\"";
for (var i = 0; i < annots.length; i++) 
console.println(util.printf(msg, annots[i].author, annots[i].type,
annots[i].contents));

Cheers,
Stefan