Import Form Data API Tool - Fill PDF Forms, Add Data to PDF

Import Form Data is a REST API tool designed to support programmatic PDF form filling by importing data from external data files into Acroforms, static XFA, and dynamic XFA.

Key Benefits of Import Form Data API

Built upon the foundation of Adobe's PDF forms technology, ensuring robust and reliable form filling capabilities.
Offers unmatched support for dynamic XFA files, in addition to static XFA and Acroforms, providing unparalleled flexibility for complex forms.
Seamlessly imports data from external files to automatically populate PDF form fields, eliminating manual data entry.
Facilitates the programmatic filling of PDF forms, minimizing errors associated with manual input and ensuring data accuracy.
Easily integrates with existing applications and workflows to automate document generation and data management processes.

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Start right from your browser - upload files, choose parameters, generate code, and send API Calls directly from API Lab!

Request

POST

Headers

Api-Key

Don't have a key? Create an account to get one.

Response-Type

Choose between a full response after processing completes or an immediate response containing only the requestId to poll for the processing status later.

Full Response

Request ID

Required Parameters

file

File to be uploaded and processed

Alphanumeric ID (UUID) of existing file on server to be processed

data_file

Data file to be uploaded in order to import its data to an input PDF file

data_file_id

Alphanumeric ID (UUID) of existing data file on server

Optional Parameters

output

Name of the generated output file, without extension

Code

curl -X POST "https://api.pdfrest.com/pdf-with-imported-form-data" \
  -H "Accept: application/json" \
  -H "Content-Type: multipart/form-data" \
  -H "Api-Key: xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx" \

Response

The response for your API Call will display here.

Once you've sent your POST request and received a valid response, you can download your output file using the output URL.

Pro

What are Pro Tools?

Pro Tools are a suite of advanced and specialized API tools designed to tackle more complex document processing challenges. These powerful features, offering enhanced capabilities, are included with Pro and Enterprise plans. Premium plan users can also access Pro Tools on a per-call basis, allowing flexible access to premium functionalities when needed.

Build Your Solution

You have document processing problems, we have Solutions. Explore the many ways pdfRest can align your documents with your business objectives.

Browse all solutions

Integrate pdfRest with Microsoft Power Automate

Ensure GDPR Compliance for PDF Processing with EU-Based Cloud API

Integrate PDF API Tools with Salesforce Apex Code

Why is pdfRest the best API to fill PDF forms with data?

pdfRest offers the best solution for importing data into PDF forms, because it supports automated form filling, comprehensive XFA forms and Acroform compatibility, and robust data protection for professional results.

Automate PDF Form Filling with Precision and Scale

The pdfRest Import Form Data API is your ultimate solution for automated PDF form filling. This powerful API loads values into any and all form fields specified in an external data file, regardless of the form's complexity or its underlying form technology. Whether you're programmatically filling out government forms for your users, auto-populating invoices, or systematically updating your own custom forms on a repeated basis, you need technology you can trust to consistently get the job done right.

With fast, reliable results, Import Form Data allows you to easily configure an automated process for loading data from external sources into PDF form templates. This works just as well for small-scale and large-scale PDF form automation workflows, saving you valuable time and resources across a wide range of PDF forms processing objectives. Leverage our API for efficient and accurate programmatic PDF form data import at any volume.

Unmatched XFA and Acroform Compatibility for Data Import

There are different technologies used to create forms within PDF documents, and these require specialized approaches to interact with them programmatically. In particular, full support for XFA form filling is exceptionally rare across many PDF processing tools, with some capable of handling static XFA documents but most struggling or failing entirely with complex, dynamic XFA forms.

pdfRest is unique in offering full support for importing data into both static and dynamic XFA forms, in addition to comprehensive capabilities for Acroforms data importing. This ensures that regardless of your PDF form's origin or complexity, you have one streamlined API Tool that can reliably populate all fields. Choose pdfRest for XFA data importing and Acroforms data population without the headaches, guaranteeing you can fully automate your form workflows.

Flatten and Secure Filled PDF Data

The pdfRest cloud service offers powerful Pro Tools that pair perfectly together to deliver a complete end-to-end data entry and data protection solution for PDF form documents. Our Import Form Data API kicks off the process by filling PDF forms with values from an external data source. This automation minimizes manual errors and ensures data consistency across all your documents.

Once the data is accurately imported, the Flatten Forms API allows you to lock the data into the PDF, turning the document into a standard, non-editable PDF for maximum compatibility and preventing further modifications. This critical step ensures PDF data protection and document integrity. With pdfRest, you can customize PDFs at scale with variable data added and securely protected in one quick, efficient, and automated workflow, ensuring both data security in PDF forms and compliance.

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Start from Code Examples

See more code examples in our GitHub repository

Need more help?

Start with a Tutorial for step-by-step guidance

How to Import Data to PDF Forms in .NET with C#

How to Import Data to PDF Forms with cURL

How to Import Data to PDF Forms with JavaScript in NodeJS

How to Import Data to PDF Forms with PHP

How to Import Data to PDF Forms with Python

How to Programmatically Fill PDF Forms

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Customize Your Solution

Learn about the parameters for this tool to create your custom solution.

File

The file parameter allows you to select a local file to be uploaded to pdfRest’s processing server.

See Documentation

The id parameter allows you to submit a resource ID generated by one of our API Tools. Each API Tool assigns a unique resource ID to your output files, allowing you to chain requests together without having to download intermediate files between requests.

For example, you could use the Query PDF tool to determine the kind of form contained within a PDF before sending its resource ID to the Import Form Data tool.

See Documentation

Output

The output parameter lets you set a filename (without extension) for your PDF with form data.

See Documentation

Data File

The data_file parameter lets you upload a file containing data to be imported into PDF form fields.

The format of your data file should match a valid file type based on the kind of PDF form in your document.

Acroform: .fdf, .xfdf, or .xml
XFA: .xdp, .xfd, or .xml

See Documentation