prgMan
asked on
Adobe PDF (Livecycle) Drop down box is populated with ID field not the descriptor field and won't let me select a different value.
I am using Livecycle to create a PDF form, however the drop down box doesn't seem to populate correctly nor will it allow me to select a different value.
Thanks in advance!
Problem
Select a new value from the drop down box that is bound to an ADBC database backend.
Steps taken
1. Open the PDF using Adobe Pro with the form wizard. The wizard does a pretty good job of detecting the text boxes, radio buttons.
2. I then save the file as form_input1.pdf.
3. I open the file using Livecycle so I can connect it to the database backend (SQL Server) via a stored procedure called spClientData.
4. I added a New Name Connection via OLEDB database calling it dsClientData.
a. Build the connection string via the Wizard:
Provider=SQLOLEDB.1;Persis
Catalog=testDB;Data Source=192.168.0.126;Use Procedure for Prepare=1;Auto
Translate=True;Packet Size=4096;Workstation ID=WS134;Use Encryption for
Data=False;Tag with column collation when possible=False
b. Select record source: Stored Procedure – spClientData
5. Repeat the process for another connection (dsOrigination) to populate the drop down box using another stored procedure called spOriginationList.
6. Change the Origination text box to a Drop Down box.
7. Select the Object tab/Binding tab and select Default.Binding field selecting dsClientData as the datasource and the origID as the binding field.
NOTE: If I allow it to update all related properties it changes the type back to Numeric type,
which I change back to the Drop-down type.
8. At this point I click on the Object/Field tab.
9. List Items should be enabled as a link to allow the list items to be bound to the dsOrigination. However it is not enabled even after following the steps to enable this per this link (http://it.toolbox.com/blogs/enterprise-modeling/dynamic-dropdown-lists-in-adobe-livecycle-designer-32393):
a. File > Form Properties and open the preview tab, preview type: Interactive form.
b. Tools > Options > Data Binding and making sure the Show Dynamic Properties option is selected.
10. At this point I got stuck, so to at least get the drop down box working I decided to start with a blank form.
11. I added the 2 datasources as in steps 4 & 5.
12. When I follow steps 7, 8, 9 the List Items link is enabled.
13. I entered into the dialog box:
a. Data Connection: dsOrigination
b. Item Text: origText
c. Item Value: origID
d. Click Ok
14. At this point I Saved the file to my desktop as NewForm.pdf
15. I run the form on the desktop inside of PDF reader 9.0 and the dropdown box displays only the origID and I am unable to click the drop down box to select another value.
16. What am I missing, why isn’t the origText displaying and why can’t I select a different value?
Thanks in advance!
Problem
Select a new value from the drop down box that is bound to an ADBC database backend.
Steps taken
1. Open the PDF using Adobe Pro with the form wizard. The wizard does a pretty good job of detecting the text boxes, radio buttons.
2. I then save the file as form_input1.pdf.
3. I open the file using Livecycle so I can connect it to the database backend (SQL Server) via a stored procedure called spClientData.
4. I added a New Name Connection via OLEDB database calling it dsClientData.
a. Build the connection string via the Wizard:
Provider=SQLOLEDB.1;Persis
Catalog=testDB;Data Source=192.168.0.126;Use Procedure for Prepare=1;Auto
Translate=True;Packet Size=4096;Workstation ID=WS134;Use Encryption for
Data=False;Tag with column collation when possible=False
b. Select record source: Stored Procedure – spClientData
5. Repeat the process for another connection (dsOrigination) to populate the drop down box using another stored procedure called spOriginationList.
6. Change the Origination text box to a Drop Down box.
7. Select the Object tab/Binding tab and select Default.Binding field selecting dsClientData as the datasource and the origID as the binding field.
NOTE: If I allow it to update all related properties it changes the type back to Numeric type,
which I change back to the Drop-down type.
8. At this point I click on the Object/Field tab.
9. List Items should be enabled as a link to allow the list items to be bound to the dsOrigination. However it is not enabled even after following the steps to enable this per this link (http://it.toolbox.com/blogs/enterprise-modeling/dynamic-dropdown-lists-in-adobe-livecycle-designer-32393):
a. File > Form Properties and open the preview tab, preview type: Interactive form.
b. Tools > Options > Data Binding and making sure the Show Dynamic Properties option is selected.
10. At this point I got stuck, so to at least get the drop down box working I decided to start with a blank form.
11. I added the 2 datasources as in steps 4 & 5.
12. When I follow steps 7, 8, 9 the List Items link is enabled.
13. I entered into the dialog box:
a. Data Connection: dsOrigination
b. Item Text: origText
c. Item Value: origID
d. Click Ok
14. At this point I Saved the file to my desktop as NewForm.pdf
15. I run the form on the desktop inside of PDF reader 9.0 and the dropdown box displays only the origID and I am unable to click the drop down box to select another value.
16. What am I missing, why isn’t the origText displaying and why can’t I select a different value?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
Hi Glenn,
Still not letting me see the values, the odd thing is I can populate a text field pointing to the database.
Not sure if this might also be a factor, I am working on a Windows 7 (64 bit machine), I'm going to try your suggestion on my old laptop at home. See if that works. So far W7 is not developer friendly everything is locked down. Is this a precursor to HAL? Open the door HAL....
Still not letting me see the values, the odd thing is I can populate a text field pointing to the database.
Not sure if this might also be a factor, I am working on a Windows 7 (64 bit machine), I'm going to try your suggestion on my old laptop at home. See if that works. So far W7 is not developer friendly everything is locked down. Is this a precursor to HAL? Open the door HAL....
SOLUTION
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This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
Hi Glen,
Sorry for the delay I got grabbed to build another app in .net. I feel a more comfortable in that environment, speaking adobe is like speaking surfer speak. Kinda like English but not quite. It is odd that the dropdown converts into a text box, I thought it was just me doing something wrong.
I think your right on the 64 bit issue, I tried it on my older laptop which is using Windows XP Pro and it worked. I don't understand why but that's just odd. My network/boss insists that 32 bit machines are going to be hard to come by. Not sure on that with all the problems we have been having with the 64 bit. I upgraded my new laptop to 64 bit last night and then spent 4 hours installing/finding drivers.
I think I will go with your suggestion with the 32 bit Windows XP pro and work on these. I have Virtual PC and I believe I should be able to do it in there.
Thanks again for your help.
Sorry for the delay I got grabbed to build another app in .net. I feel a more comfortable in that environment, speaking adobe is like speaking surfer speak. Kinda like English but not quite. It is odd that the dropdown converts into a text box, I thought it was just me doing something wrong.
I think your right on the 64 bit issue, I tried it on my older laptop which is using Windows XP Pro and it worked. I don't understand why but that's just odd. My network/boss insists that 32 bit machines are going to be hard to come by. Not sure on that with all the problems we have been having with the 64 bit. I upgraded my new laptop to 64 bit last night and then spent 4 hours installing/finding drivers.
I think I will go with your suggestion with the 32 bit Windows XP pro and work on these. I have Virtual PC and I believe I should be able to do it in there.
Thanks again for your help.
ASKER
thanks Glen and Matt, much appreciated
ASKER