Populate forms from CSV plus free input?

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Peter2
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Populate forms from CSV plus free input?

Post by Peter2 »

Example:

In my PDF I have the forms, A, B, C and D.
In my CSV I have columns A, B and D.

Now I want to populate the PDF using the columns A, B and D from CSV
AND
I want to populate field C with free input, like "Fine day today "

Is it possible?
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Tracker Supp-Stefan
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Re: Populate forms from CSV plus free input?

Post by Tracker Supp-Stefan »

Hello Peter2,

Would the input for field C be the same for all? Or does that need to update dynamicaly?
It will probably be the easiest if you take your input .csv, add the desired column C and then populate the PDF file.

You can fill in from the CSV only the desired A B and D fields - and C will likely remain empty for you to fill in later:
image.png
Kind regards,
Stefan
Peter2
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Re: Populate forms from CSV plus free input?

Post by Peter2 »

Tracker Supp-Stefan wrote: Thu Dec 01, 2022 3:06 pm ...Would the input for field C be the same for all? Or does that need to update dynamicaly?..
In my current use case, every "populate job" has the same input for C.

I use hello.csv - I write "Jim" to column C. Then I use test.csv - and write "John" to column C.
Maybe it is easy to implement.. ??

Yes, modifying the CSV before usage is an obvious solution, but not a comfortable one.
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Re: Populate forms from CSV plus free input?

Post by Paul - Tracker Supp »

Hi Peter,

so I understand that adding the column in the CSV works, but I am not sure I understand what more you are asking for.

Do you envisage some way of doing that within the Editor itself rather than customizing the CSV?

cheers
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Paul O'Rorke
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http://www.tracker-software.com
Peter2
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Re: Populate forms from CSV plus free input?

Post by Peter2 »

Paul - Tracker Supp wrote: Thu Dec 01, 2022 9:12 pm ...Do you envisage some way of doing that within the Editor itself rather than customizing the CSV?...
Yes.
There are many features in software where you can select from a list or enter a free text. So the definition for the "Data Source Column" should be modified to "Data Source".

And a perfect solution could be the usage of
- CSV columns or
- free text or
- macros

like here:
grafik.png
I think that a pdf-field could be filled with "current user", "current date", "file name of data source", "file name of PDF-template". In first step it could be inserted manually, but in second step a macro would do it perfectly.
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Re: Populate forms from CSV plus free input?

Post by Tracker Supp-Stefan »

Hello Peter2,

We get your idea - so you would like here when no CSV column exists to be able to use macros or free text, right?
image.png
I will pass the idea for discussion - but can not make any promises. Macros will be good, but "static text" will likely be better to be added to the .csv - as you will have more control and can review the file before you do the merge of the data with the form.

Kind regards,
Stefan
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Re: Populate forms from CSV plus free input?

Post by Peter2 »

Thanks, Stefan

a present for Christmas ;-)
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Re: Populate forms from CSV plus free input?

Post by Tracker Supp-Stefan »

Hello Peter2,

Again - not making any promises - but I will ask!

Kind regards,
Stefan
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