[TriLUG] How to fill in a PDF form in Linux/OpenSource?

[Robert Dale]

Each field in a PDF has a corresponding key.  You can use iText (java)
to extract those keys.  You'll still need to figure out how they're
mapped to fields.  Sometimes they're obvious, sometimes not.  Then you
can HTTP POST the form as key: value request parameters.   Radio
button values are usually numbered sequentially.

http://www.lowagie.com/iText/

-- 
Robert Dale

On Fri, May 16, 2008 at 10:37 AM, Tim Jowers <timjowers at gmail.com> wrote:
> Steve,
>
> FWIW, at BCBS SC we had to automate insurance claims submission and one task
> was to submit PDF Forms. From what I remember, PDF Forms have some URL
> embedded to post when you submit. using the button in the Form. The "PDF
> Form" I'm talking about is a PDF technology versus "PDF form" with a lower
> case "f", basically a copmuterized paper form. I can try to surf up how we
> did it but it was basically wireshark'ed the HTTP transmission and automated
> that.
>
> Tim
>
>
> On Fri, May 16, 2008 at 9:49 AM, Owen <oberry at trilug.org> wrote:
>
>> In the past I've used a handy little program called flpsed.
>>
>> http://www.ecademix.com/JohannesHofmann/flpsed.html
>>
>> Owen
>>
>> On Thu, May 15, 2008 at 05:11:27PM -0400, Steve Litt wrote:
>> > Hi all,
>> >
>> > I need to fill out and submit a copyright form TX. My Acroread for Linux
>> won't
>> > do that. I can import the PDF into Gimp and fill it out in Gimp, and
>> print it
>> > from Gimp, but the type of the original PDF becomes extremely pixellated.
>> I
>> > can't seem to import the PDF into Inkscape.
>> >
>> > I print the PDF, scan it at 300dpi, scan it into a .pnm, and then use
>> Gimp to
>> > fill it in, but that seems a little extreme.
>> >
>> > I could print it, fill it in with pen, and then scan the result, but my
>> > handwriting is illegible.
>> >
>> > So what's a good way to fill in a PDF form in Linux/OpenSource?
>> >
>> > Thanks
>> >
>> > SteveT
>> >
>> > Steve Litt
>> > Author: Universal Troubleshooting Process books and courseware
>> > http://www.troubleshooters.com/
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