How do I export data from my PDF form?

First, open your PDF form in Adobe Acrobat. Go to the 'Options' menu within the form tools. Select 'Export data' and choose the file type you want, like FDF, XML, or CSV. Save the file to your computer. This will put all the information from your form fields into that file.

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

Action What it does Purpose. Import Data Puts information from a file into the fields of your PDF form. To fill out a form automatically with existing data. Export Data Saves the information from your PDF form's fields into a separate file. To collect and save data that users have entered into a form.

Collect Daily Tallies in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Collect today's daily shooting tallies from Camera op [alex], Sound op [maria], and Script…+

Collect today's daily shooting tallies from Camera op [alex], Sound op [maria], and Script Supervisor [lee] and combine their files into a single status PDF for Production Manager [dana] by [deadline=5pm].

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

BImprove — “do it better”Before handing the status file to [person=Dana], stitch tallies into one PDF and add a one‑page…+

Before handing the status file to [person=Dana], stitch tallies into one PDF and add a one‑page contents sheet listing scene counts, pages, and hold‑ups; flag any days where counts differ between Camera and Script Supervisor so [person=Dana] can spot anomalies quickly.

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 manage in Adobe Acrobat.
2
Select the Prepare Form tool from the right pane or the Tools center.
3
Click the More button in the toolbar and choose Manage Form Data.
4
Choose the desired action, such as Merge Data Files into Spreadsheet, Export Data, or Import Data.
5
Follow the prompts to select files or specify locations as required by your chosen action.
6
Complete the process by saving or opening the resulting file as prompted.
Best practiceFor large sets of responses, exporting form data to a spreadsheet can simplify analysis and backup.

In the appWith the API

You can quickly export or import form data using the Manage Form Data options in the Prepare Form tool.

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

Glossary

words on this page

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.

Export form dataTo export form data means to save the information that people typed into your form into a separate file.ExampleTo analyze survey results, you can export form data into a spreadsheet for easy review.

Import data into a formTo import data into a form means to bring information from a file and put it into the fields of your form.ExampleYou can import data from a CSV file directly into the form fields to pre-fill them.

Who does this

3 roles

Office AdministratorHR SpecialistProject Coordinator

FAQ

about this task

First, open your PDF form in Adobe Acrobat.
Go to the 'Options' menu within the form tools.
Select 'Export data' and choose the file type you want, like FDF, XML, or CSV.
Save the file to your computer. This will put all the information from your form fields into that file.

When you flatten a PDF form, all the interactive parts, like text fields, checkboxes, and buttons, become fixed text or images on the page. This means you can no longer click on or edit them as form fields. It's like printing the form and then scanning it back in; the information becomes part of the document itself. This is useful when you want to make sure no one can change the data after it's submitted, but it also means you lose all field functionality.

If you edit an XFA form using a workaround, the form will be flattened. This means you will lose all the special features of the XFA form. All the fields, layers, buttons, and any JavaScript code will be removed. The form data will become fixed text on the page, and you will not be able to interact with the fields anymore. It is a one-way process, so once it's flattened, you cannot go back and edit the fields as interactive elements.

You might choose to export form data to CSV (Comma Separated Values) because it is a very common and simple file format. Many spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets can easily open and work with CSV files. FDF (Forms Data Format) and XML (Extensible Markup Language) are also useful, but CSV is often preferred when you need to quickly view, sort, or analyze your data in a table format without needing special software or advanced data processing skills. It's great for simple data collection and analysis.

Action	What it does	Purpose
Import Data	Puts information from a file into the fields of your PDF form.	To fill out a form automatically with existing data.
Export Data	Saves the information from your PDF form's fields into a separate file.	To collect and save data that users have entered into a form.

Collect Daily Tallies

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help