How to Create an Fdf Data File

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Printout of an Adobe pdf Form

To create a forms data format (fdf) data file, use a pdf document with Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader software. Adobe invented the fdf format based on the pdf format. Adobe provides "Advanced Settings" and "Security Settings" features to convert a pdf document to an fdf file. This is the simplest method for conversion. If you have a pdf document and Adobe software, you can create an fdf data file.

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Create an Fdf Data File in Adobe Reader

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Step 1

Click "Start" and then "All Programs" and select "Adobe Reader."

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Step 2

Click "File" and then "Open" to select the pdf file and then click the "Open" button to view the pdf file.

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Step 3

Click "Document" on the menu bar and select "Security Settings" to open the "Security Settings" dialogue box.

Step 4

Click "Directory Servers" on the left; a menu bar with an "Export" option appears on the upper right frame.

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Step 5

Click "Export" and the "Data Exchange File--Exporting Directory Settings" dialogue box is displayed.

Step 6

Make sure the radio button "Save the Exported Data to a File" is clicked to ensure that you are creating an "Acrobat Fdf Data Exchange."

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Step 7

Click "Next" to fill out the "Identity" section containing the "Name," "Title," "Organization Name," "Organization Unit" and "Email Address." Click "Next" again after all of this information is filled in.

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Step 8

Click "Next," because "Sign Data Exchange File" is necessary only if the data are shared.

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Step 9

Click "Browse" to select a path and name for the exported data.

Step 10

Click "Next" to review the options you have chosen and click "Finish." The fdf data file is created.

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Create an Fdf Data File in Adobe Acrobat

Step 1

Click "Start" and then "All Programs" and select "Adobe Acrobat 6.0" or any higher version of Adobe Acrobat.

Step 2

Click the "Open" icon on the menu bar, select an Adobe pdf document and then click the "Open" button to view the document.

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Step 3

Click "Advanced," "Forms" and then select "Export Forms Data"; the "Export Forms Data Save As" dialogue box is displayed.

Step 4

Make sure the "Save As Type" has "Acrobat Fdf Files (*.fdf)" selected from the drop-down menu and provide a "File Name" if needed.

Step 5

Click the "Save" button and you have created an fdf data file.

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