Custom action workflow - merge data files into spreadsheet?

hello,

 

i handle many pdf form submissions daily. looking fastest , efficient way extract form fields' data these pdf forms , export excel spreadsheet (csv file). first let me describe process done manually acrobat pro dc:

 

i) locate , press "merge data files spreadsheet" option. option seems accessible in 2 ways:

     a. edit -> form options -> merge data files spreadsheet ----------- note "form options" seems present under "edit" if pdf open

     b. run "prepare form" action on file -> press "more" (hammer & wrench icon, located in right sidebar) -> merge data files spreadsheet

ii) press add files, navigate , select files, press export

iii) give csv file name , choose export destination, click export

 

this helpful see several ways process improved further through automation of kind.

 

1) have adobe give more descriptive default name "report.csv" in step iii. suggestions include filename having current date, title(s) of form files being merged csv report, letting user specify default naming scheme, etc. way 1 not have type "w4forms2016-24-08.csv" or similar each report. or @ least, have suggest different "report.csv" default if there report.csv file in folder, such report(1).csv instead.

 

2) improve headings (in row 1) of excel csv report. default "topmostsubform[0].page1[0].f1_01_0_[0]" (cell b1), "topmostsubform[0].page1[0].f1_02_0_[0]" (cell c1), , on. 1 option have user able specify headings of each column beforehand more descriptive (e.g. b1 = "name", c1 = "age", etc.)

 

another solution, seems should plausible, merge data existing csv file rather create new 1 each report. way form field data exported existing excel spreadsheet headings defined user. this single biggest improvement suggest/feature want know if already exists. right workaround copying , pasting csv data spreadsheet have headings set me, though can imagine less ideal.

 

3) least plausible suggestion have acrobat pro monitor specified folders new pdf forms added them. monitoring either continuous or periodic check (e.g. daily). upon detection, acrobat pro automatically creates csv report pdf file's form field data (or better, adds existing csv report file described in suggestion 2). tried mess custom actions , commands achieve along these lines, not farther having "prepare form" action. doesn't seem able conditionally triggered (by either additions monitored folders or amount of time, day, elapsing). leaving aside, not deeper basic functionality of "prepare form" action. said in ib when describing current process, "more" button suboption of prepare form action, yet cannot seem call functionality when making prepare form actions. far can tell, actions can little assist me process, whether through automated report-generation or if not that, @ least making manual step one-to-few click process rather navigating through various menus , submenus described @ beginning of post.

 

i know it's long post hope can either spark discussion or others may dealing similar workflows. other suggestions may make process easier me not explicitly mentioned here welcome. i'm on free trial purchase product if of concerns addressed. thanks.

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