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Import Form Data

Pro

Import Form Data is a REST API tool that imports values into PDF form fields from an external data file for both XFA forms and Acroforms.

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Parameters
Required Parameters
POST
/pdf-with-imported-form-data
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 powerful API Tools that require a Pro or Enterprise plan for unrestricted access. All plans may be used to test Pro Tools, but output will be watermarked or otherwise limited below the Pro plan level.

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

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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, XFA forms and Acroforms, and data protection.

Automated Form Filling

pdfRest Import Form Data loads values into any and all form fields specified in an external data file, regardless of form complexity and underlying form technology. Whether you're filling out government forms for your users, populating invoices, or populating values in your own custom forms on a repeated basis, you'll 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 workflows, saving you valuable time and resources across a wide range of forms processing objectives.

Full XFA and Acroform Support

Not all PDF forms are built the same! There are different underlying technologies used in practice to add forms to PDF documents, and these require different technologies to import data or otherwise interact with forms through manual or programmatic processing. In particular, full support for XFA forms is rare, with some tools capable of handling static XFA documents and most tools unable to handle dynamic XFA documents.

Only pdfRest offers full support for importing data into static and dynamic XFA forms, as well as Acroforms, all with one streamlined API Tool.

Add and Protect Data

pdfRest offers two REST API Tools that pair perfectly together to offer a complete end-to-end data entry and data protection solution for PDF form documents.

Import Form Data kicks off the process by filling PDF forms with values from an external data source. Once the data is imported, Flatten Forms locks the data into the PDF, turns the document into a standard PDF for maximum compatibility, and makes forms no longer editable so that the data cannot be modified. Customize PDFs at scale with variable data added and protected in one, quick workflow.
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Start from Code Examples
  1. First, you'll need an API Key - to:
    • Stay anonymous with a Guest API Key for 10 free API Calls
    • Sign up for an upgraded API Key with unlimited, continuous service
  2. Choose your programming language
  3. Copy and paste the code to your project
  4. Update Api-Key field with your unique API Key
  5. Update file with the local path to your input
  6. Run this code to send an API Call
See more code examples in our
GitHub repository
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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: xxxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx" \
  -F "file=@/path/to/file" \
  -F "output=example_out" \
  -F "data_file=@/path/to/datafile"

Need more help?

Start with a Tutorial for step-by-step guidance

1
1 of 1 pages (4 items)
Customize Your Solution
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
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