Replacing text in existing PDF

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   I need to replace a small amount of text in an existing PDF file. Ideally, I'd like to use the existing file as a 'template', by:

1. loading it
2. making a copy for output
3. searching the copy for the text to replace
4. replacing the text with new text
5. saving the modified copy

The text is currently of the form "<TXT1>" and is to be replaced with a something like "V1234", though the number can vary. I need to produce lots of copies of the original PDF, saving each with a different filename and replacement text.

I do have some control over the format of the source PDF, so if modifying the original PDF might make this job easier, please feel free to make suggestions.

Can you suggest Debenu QL functions that might help me to:

1. Locate the text in the PDF
2. Replace it with the new text

Alternatively, if you point me to some appropriate sample code, that would be great.

Many thanks for your help.

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amberwine Members Profile Find Members Posts Beginner Joined: 14 Aug 14 Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote amberwine Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Replacing text in existing PDF Posted: 14 Aug 14 at 9:04AM
	I need to replace a small amount of text in an existing PDF file. Ideally, I'd like to use the existing file as a 'template', by: 1. loading it 2. making a copy for output 3. searching the copy for the text to replace 4. replacing the text with new text 5. saving the modified copy The text is currently of the form "<TXT1>" and is to be replaced with a something like "V1234", though the number can vary. I need to produce lots of copies of the original PDF, saving each with a different filename and replacement text. I do have some control over the format of the source PDF, so if modifying the original PDF might make this job easier, please feel free to make suggestions. Can you suggest Debenu QL functions that might help me to: 1. Locate the text in the PDF 2. Replace it with the new text Alternatively, if you point me to some appropriate sample code, that would be great. Many thanks for your help.

Wheeley Members Profile Find Members Posts Senior Member Joined: 30 Oct 05 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 146	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wheeley Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Aug 14 at 8:31PM
	You had better do a forum search about this. It has been answered before. Short answer, it will be extremely difficult because of how PDFs are put together. Not because of the tool you use. Wheeley

AndrewC Members Profile Find Members Posts Moderator Group Joined: 08 Dec 10 Location: Geelong, Aust Status: Offline Points: 841	Post Options Post Reply Quote AndrewC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Aug 14 at 9:57AM
	Amberwine, A PDF file is a binary format and can also include compressed data. So it is not easily possibly to replace text unless the text is the same length as the text you are replacing. QP.ReplaceTag is designed specifically for this. To get access to the drawing commands you will need to work with the ContentStream functions. http://www.debenu.com/docs/pdf_library_reference/PageManipulation.php. Most of the required functions can be found here. Andrew.

AndyD Members Profile Find Members Posts Senior Member Joined: 30 Apr 13 Location: UK Status: Offline Points: 54	Post Options Post Reply Quote AndyD Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Aug 14 at 9:02AM
	Alternativey if you have the full version of Acrobat, you could replace the default <txt> locations with form fields and then with QuickPDF you can call and fill these fields as you need. That is the way I have done it to produce filled letters, technical documents etc from within an app. Andy