This document discusses how to create interactive PDF forms using Adobe LiveCycle Designer and track response data. It provides an overview of LiveCycle Enterprise Suite and how it can be used to build static and dynamic forms, validate form fields, and route submitted data to databases or other users. It also compares the capabilities of LiveCycle Designer and Acrobat Pro, and describes how to distribute forms, collect submissions, and save response data.

1. How to create interactive forms and track response data
Presented by:
Jeremy Harder
Michigan Association of School Administrators
Technology & Design Coordinator j jharder@gomasa.org

2.  http://www.adobe.com/products/livecycle/designer/
 60 DayTrial Download

3. An overview of the LiveCycle Enterprise Suite

4.  Livecycle Enterprise Suite (ES) is a platform
for developing custom workflows
 Databases and forms are used to complete
tasks
 Example of how ES might be used:
http://www.adobe.com/products/livecycle/

5.  Gathering form data via theWeb is not
intuitive
 Development/Web-coding knowledge
required for intermediate to advanced
functionality

6. LiveCycle can replace paper forms without much hassle

7.  Designer is a spin-off that is packaged with
Adobe Acrobat Professional
 Designer can be used to build static and
dynamic PDF forms

8.  Adobe LiveCycle Enterprise Suite
 ES Modules
Installed on Web accessible server to process data
▪ Forms
▪ Digital Signatures
▪ Mosaic
▪ Etc
 LiveCycle Designer
Installed on your workstation. Modules not required to distribute forms.
▪ PDF creation tools
▪ PDF distribution

9.  Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro now includes form field
tools, and distribution functions
 The difference is that Designer allows for
scripting

11. Screen capture from http://www.adobe.com/products/livecycle/forms/
 Forms is a module for LiveCycle ES
 Forms handles user-submitted data and
routes it to…
 Databases
 Processes
 Users

12. Screen capture from http://www.adobe.com/products/livecycle/forms/

14.  Static
 User input fields
 Can be printed
 Interactive
 Fields can be validated (required, pattern match)
 Subforms can be hidden/revealed based on input
Example

16.  DesignView
 XML Source
 Master PageView
 PDF Preview

17.  Examples of form objects:
 Text field
 Image Field
 Email Field
 Numeric Field
 Buttons

18.  Frequently used combinations can be saved
as form fragments and easily reused
 Shift-click to select all objects to include. Right
click -> Fragments -> Create New

19.  LiveCycle Designer comes packaged with
some great pre-built forms:

20.  Word and Excel documents can be imported
and converted to PDF forms in the wizard.

21.  Start with a blank page

22.  FormCalc equations are similar to
spreadsheet formulas
 Field value calculations ensure correct data
submissions and save time for your users

23.  Make required (and provide error messages)
 Pattern match

25.  Save as a PDF and store/send as needed
 Distribute via email using LiveCycle Designer
 Distribute via acrobat.com using LiveCycle
Designer
 Stores the form to your account
 Accessible to others via URL
 Drawback: No data submission handling built-in

28.  Print and fax
 Email
 Via form button (may not work for some users)
 User initiated
 HTTP submit
 Requires handling script onWeb server

31.  Open the PDF in Acrobat Pro
 Go to Advanced -> Extend Features in Adobe
Reader
 Distributed PDF will now allow users to Save
As… PDF
 Still not perfect though…
 Email Submit button will continue to save as XML
instead of PDF
 Use with caution. Include specific how-to
instructions in form document

32.  Example of Acrobat generated results file

33. How to create interactive forms and track response data
Presented by:
Jeremy Harder
MichiganAssociation of SchoolAdministrators
Technology & Design Coordinator
jharder@gomasa.org