How to Import Data to PDF Forms with cURL

Why Import Form Data with cURL?

The pdfRest Import Form Data API Tool is a powerful resource for users who need to automate the process of importing form data into PDF documents. This tutorial will guide you through the process of sending an API call to import form data using cURL, a command-line tool for transferring data with URLs. By leveraging cURL, you can efficiently interact with the pdfRest API to streamline your document management workflows.

Imagine a business that collects customer information through online forms and needs to generate personalized PDF reports for each submission. Using the Import Form Data API, the business can automate the process of merging form data with a PDF template, saving time and reducing errors associated with manual data entry.

Import Form Data with cURL Code Example

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"

Source: GitHub

Breaking Down the Code

The command begins with curl -X POST "https://api.pdfrest.com/pdf-with-imported-form-data", which specifies that a POST request is being made to the specified endpoint. This is essential for sending data to the server to process the import.

The header -H "Accept: application/json" indicates that the client expects a JSON response from the server, which is a common format for API responses.

The -H "Content-Type: multipart/form-data" header is crucial because it tells the server that the request will contain multiple parts, such as files and form data. This is necessary for uploading files.

-H "Api-Key: xxxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx" includes the API key for authentication. Replace the placeholder with your actual API key to authenticate your request.

The -F "file=@/path/to/file" option uploads the PDF file that will receive the imported form data. Replace /path/to/file with the path to your PDF document.

Using -F "output=example_out", you specify the desired name for the output file. This parameter determines how the resulting file will be named after processing.

Finally, -F "data_file=@/path/to/datafile" uploads the data file containing the form data to be imported. Ensure you replace /path/to/datafile with the correct path to your data file.

Beyond the Tutorial

In this tutorial, you learned how to use cURL to make an API call to the pdfRest Import Form Data endpoint. This process allows you to automate the integration of form data into PDF documents, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in document processing.

To explore more features and capabilities of pdfRest, I encourage you to demo all the API Tools available in the API Lab. For comprehensive details, refer to the API Reference Guide.

Note: This example demonstrates a multipart API call. For code samples using JSON payloads, visit GitHub.