PDF printing transforms data cards into preformatted PDF files using AcroForms. This article covers how to activate and utilize PDF printing for data cards within the ESM.

Configuration

To enable PDF printing for specific templates, perform the following settings adjustments in the platform's Usability and GUI section (accessible through Maintenance > Edit settings):

List Templates Which Support PDF Printing: List the template codes that should support PDF printing in a comma-separated format:

 pdf.print.supported.templates = template_code,another_template_code
 

Specify AcroForms Directory: Indicate the directory where AcroForms PDF files are stored. This path can be absolute or relative to Efecte's base directory, and it differs based on the operating system:

 For Windows: pdf.print.acroforms.location = c:\\some\\directory
 
 For Unix systems: /some/directory

Each template enabled for PDF printing must have a corresponding AcroForm PDF named after the template's code (e.g., “template_code.pdf”) in the specified directory.

AcroForms

AcroForms are special PDF files with editable fields used by Efecte to fill in data card information automatically. These forms can be designed with static fields (like images and contact info) and must include fields for each attribute intended to be printed. The name of each editable field should match the code of the data card attribute it represents.

For reference attributes, use the format “referring_attribute_code-attribute_code_to_show”. For multi-value references, index the names (e.g., “...[0]”, “...[1]”). The layout of the AcroForm is not affected by these names, as they serve as placeholders for data and are not visible in the final PDF.

Note: The number of data values printed is limited to the number of placeholders in the AcroForm. Plan the number of fields accordingly to ensure all desired information is included.

Efecte is tested to work with “static PDF Forms” produced by the Adobe LiveCycle Designer.

Automatically Saving Printed PDFs

To automatically save printed PDFs back into Efecte, the template must include a FileUpload type attribute coded as “printed_pdfs”. When a user prints a PDF, Efecte automatically saves the file to this attribute, creating a record of the printed document within the system.

This functionality streamlines the process of converting data card information into formatted PDFs for external use or archival purposes, enhancing document management and distribution capabilities within Efecte.