How do I import data into a PDF form?

Open your PDF form in Acrobat. Go to 'Options' in the form tools. Select 'Import data'. Choose your data file (FDF, XML, or CSV). Acrobat will fill the form fields with the data.

What is the difference between importing data and flattening a PDF form?

Action What it does Result. Import Data Fills interactive fields with information from a file. Form fields remain editable, but now contain data. Flatten Form Turns interactive fields into fixed text on the page. Form fields are removed and cannot be edited or used anymore.

What is the purpose of using FDF, XML, or CSV files for importing data into a PDF form?

FDF files are small and only contain form field data, making them efficient for sharing. XML files are good for structured data and can be used with many different systems. CSV files are simple text files that store data in a table format, easy to create from spreadsheets.

◆ Acrobat · fill

Populate From Database

Fill permit application fields in the permit PDF from our project database for Permit 2026-45 so consultants receive a…

2ready prompts

1real task

4roles

See the prompt↓More fill workflows

When to use it

real situations

A company needs to fill out many forms for new employees using existing HR data.
A student wants to update a survey form with results from a spreadsheet.
A business needs to pre-fill customer information into a contract before sending it.

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Fill permit application fields in the permit PDF from our project database for Permit 2026-45…+

Fill permit application fields in the permit PDF from our project database for Permit 2026-45 so consultants receive a pre-filled form and don’t have to retype information before Friday’s submittal.

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

BImprove — “do it better”Auto-fill the permit form for consultant handoff: populate all identified fields from our…+

Auto-fill the permit form for consultant handoff: populate all identified fields from our database for Permit 2026-45, double-check legal names, parcel ID, and contact info, lock filled fields that consultants shouldn’t change, and attach a short note listing source fields used.

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open the PDF form you want to populate in Adobe Acrobat.
2
Go to the Tools tab and select Prepare Form.
3
In the Prepare Form toolbar, click More and choose Import Data.
4
In the file dialog, select your data file (FDF, XFDF, CSV, or XML) and click Open.
CautionOnly fields with matching names between the PDF and the data file will be populated.
5
Review the form to confirm the fields have been populated with the imported data.
6
Save the populated PDF form.

In the appWith the API

You can quickly fill out multiple copies of the same PDF form by importing different data files for each recipient.

This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.

Glossary

words on this page

FDFFDF stands for Forms Data Format, a file type that holds only the data from PDF form fields.ExampleAfter filling out a PDF form, you save an FDF file containing only your entered information.

XFA formAn XFA form is a special type of PDF form made with Adobe LiveCycle Designer, which has complex features.ExampleAn XFA form allows fields to expand or shrink based on the amount of text you type.

Flatten a formMake all form fields permanent and unchangeable by turning them into normal page text.ExampleYou flatten a form to ensure no one can change the information you typed into the fields.

Who does this

4 roles

HR SpecialistAdministrative AssistantLegal ClerkData Entry Operator

FAQ

about this task

Open your PDF form in Acrobat.
Go to 'Options' in the form tools.
Select 'Import data'.
Choose your data file (FDF, XML, or CSV).
Acrobat will fill the form fields with the data.

Action	What it does	Result
Import Data	Fills interactive fields with information from a file.	Form fields remain editable, but now contain data.
Flatten Form	Turns interactive fields into fixed text on the page.	Form fields are removed and cannot be edited or used anymore.

Editing an XFA form using certain workarounds can cause it to flatten because XFA forms are complex. They have special features like layers and JavaScript. When you try to edit them in a simple way, Acrobat might remove these complex parts to make it a standard, flat PDF. This means you lose all interactive elements.

Yes, if you import data into a form, you can still export the data later. Importing data fills the fields, but it does not remove the form's ability to be interactive. You can always export the current data in the form to an FDF, XML, or CSV file.

FDF files are small and only contain form field data, making them efficient for sharing.
XML files are good for structured data and can be used with many different systems.
CSV files are simple text files that store data in a table format, easy to create from spreadsheets.