Lori's Corner
Lori's Tips
This section of my corner contains tips that I've written in the past year or so. Most are more technical and targeting a developer or power user, but I'll be adding more that are useful to new users. And of course, if you have an idea for a tip – I'll be happy to write it and update this list.
How do I create document previews of my Adobe Presenter 7 presentations?
Dear Lori, I just downloaded Acrobat 9 and Adobe Presenter 7. I created a presentation and published to PDF – I love it! However, when I look at the preview of the document – it just looks like at blank white page – I want it to have a preview. — SF
Read answer
Overview of PDF Portfolios
This video shows you how to combine documents, drawings, e-mail, and spreadsheets into a single compressed PDF Portfolio that can be branded with your logo.
Watch [FLV: ]
What did you cover in your portion of the Acrobat 8 Seminar (June 12th)?
Dear Lori, I missed the Acrobat User Community eSeminar on June12th. What did you cover? — AH Read answer
How do I set my Open PDFs to open in Acrobat instead of Reader?
Dear Lori, When I receive a PDF as an e-mail attachment, it automatically opens in Adobe Reader 8, even though I also have Acrobat installed. — BH Read answer
What did you cover in your hands-on session at the Adobe MAX Conference?
Dear Lori, I heard about your hands-on session at Adobe MAX earlier this year. I was unable to attend that session but am curious as to what you covered. — JH Read answer
Split the screen to more easily view drawings, charts and spreadsheets
By using the screen-splitting commands in Acrobat you can view large documents, including drawings and spreadsheets, more easily on screen than you can on paper. Read online
Ensuring that your Comments and Stamps print
I'm often asked about how to ensure that Comments or Stamps I've added to a PDF document can be made permanent so that they can't be moved or deleted, and will print on another user's computer. This tip outlines how to "flatten" the comments before distribution. Read online Watch [SWF: 1:54 Sec]
Modifying your PDFs using drag and drop to/from Pages panel
I recently discovered a new trick for manipulating pages and documents using the Pages Panel. This tip outlines how to add new pages or create a new PDF. Read online Watch [SWF: 0:33 Sec]
Adding Formatting and Calculations to PDF Forms
Learn how to add formatting and calculations to your PDF forms to improve user experience. Watch [SWF: 3:14 Min]
Archiving Email as PDF from Microsoft Outlook
Learn how to create a PDF archive of your Outlook emails. Watch [SWF: 1:32 Min.]
Automating Form Field Creation
Acrobat 8 Professional has the ability to automatically add form fields to your PDF document. Watch [SWF: 0:44 Min.]
Combining Documents into a Single PDF
Understand how to combine multiple files from multiple applications into a single PDF document. Watch [SWF: 1:38 Min.]
Combining Documents into a PDF Package
Understand how to combine multiple files from multiple applications including digitally signed PDFs and secure PDFs into a PDF Package. Watch [SWF: 2:31 Min.]
Creating Basic Fillable Forms
Ever wondered how to get started with PDF forms? Learn how to create basic fillable forms. Watch [SWF: 5:50 Min.]
Initiating a Data Collection Workflow
Learn how to easily prepare your PDF form for data collection. Watch [SWF: 2:48 Min.]
Creating a Form Template Using Adobe LiveCycle Designer
Acrobat 8 Professional includes Adobe LiveCycle Designer for creating forms. Learn how to use the form templates that ship with Designer to quickly and easily create a PDF form for data collection. Watch [SWF: 3:12 Min.]
Enabling Usage Rights for Adobe Reader Users
Acrobat 8 Professional has the ability to enable additional functionality in Adobe Reader. Learn how to activate these features and use in Adobe Reader. Watch [SWF: 1:30 Min.]
Understanding Acrobat 8 User Interface
Acrobat 8 has a brand new look and feel. Learn how to work with the new user Interface. Watch [SWF: 2:55 Min.]
Printing Documents
Understand the methods and functionality available in Acrobat and Adobe Reader for printing your PDF documents. Watch [SWF: 4:09 Min.]
Can you help me understand the the Execute button?
Dear Lori, I have read the article - Understanding the Execute Button in LiveCycle Designer (add the link) but I'm not having much success getting the connection to work properly. — LE Read answer
Have the links in your Acrobat 8 tutorial been updated?
Dear Lori, I watched your tutorial on Acrobat 8. The links that you referred to at the end are no longer active. — KR Read answer
How do I link a button to a specific page in my PDF document?
Dear Lori, I want to add this action to a button: Go To Page X. But the only page transition that works from the "Execute a Menu Item" list is Next, Previous, First or Last pages. How do I designate a specific page number in the document? — Jan Read answer
How do I copy-and-paste editable text from PDF to Word?
Dear Lori, I need to copy and paste blocks of text from a PDF file to a Word document so that I can edit the text in word and add add additional material. — Jan Read answer
Creating a Custom Dynamic Stamp
To conduct a shared review, you and your reviewers must have read and write access to the server you use for storing comments. This tip assumes you have a properly configured location for storing shared comments. Read online Watch [SWF: 3:54 Min.]
Can I have multiple calculation buttons?
Dear Lori, I want to be able to show a calculation from a number of buttons when selected, is this possible? I have say five products with radio buttons underneath them, when the customer selects one of more of these I would like a total price at the side. Hope you can help.— M.G., UK Read answer
How do I keep a button from printing?
Dear Lori, I have created a reset button a form however is there a way when printing the form to not show the reset button. Please advise. — L.B., Wisconsin Read answer
Can I view a form from a website?
Dear Lori, I have a form that I regularly have to complete and send back to the originator. I can view this form on the internet from their website. Does Adobe offer me the capacity to take the form and "fill in the blanks" and return by email? If so, what do I need? Please understand that I will probably be using this program for this purpose only. — Steve Read answer
How do I print only the form field data?
Dear Lori, Is there a way to print only the form field data without printing the basic form itself? I want to keep the field data in the same place on the page so I can print it out on pre-printed forms — Eric Read answer
What's the best way to make a PDF from Word?
Dear Lori, when I format a book in MS Word and do the initial conversion to PDF using the PDFMaker icon on Word's toolbar, the PDF version comes out formatted differently than the original Word layout. Have I configured something incorrectly? How do I get an exact copy? — Linda, Kentucky Read answer
How do I set the viewing size of a page with a link?
Dear Lori, is there a way to set the size a page will be when accessed by a link in the document? I have a 200-page document with an index and links. I would like for the user to click the link and have the page being linked open to "fit width." Any assistance appreciated. — Mary, Indianapolis Read answer
Connecting Document JavaScript to 3D Views
This tutorial describes how to create views of 3D objects embedded in PDF documents and how to create links in the documents to display each view.
Download [PDF: 857 KB] 
Interactive [SWF: 507 KB]
Understanding the Comparing Documents Feature
In this tutorial, you'll learn how to use the Compare Documents feature in Acrobat 7 Professional and Acrobat 3D to compare two PDF files. Download [PDF: 1.2 MB] Interactive [SWF: 527 KB]
Can I hyperlink to a specific page of a PDF file?
Dear Lori, From my webpage, I'd like to have hyperlinks to specific pages in a PDF file, but I'm not sure how to do it. The PDF file does have bookmarks in it, but I'm not sure where to go to find what that URL is so I can add the link. — JS, San Francisco Read answer
Validating XML data against a schema
This tip teaches you how to save data from a form created in Designer to an XML file for validation against a schema. Download [PDF: 788 KB]
PDF 101 - Quick Overview of PDF File Format
This is a quick overview of the key elements in the PDF language for use with eForms. Download [PDF: 353 KB]
Why are menu items disabled when I send an Email-based review?
The feature in Acrobat 7 Pro (and Acrobat 3D) that allows me to start an email-based review is great. However, I've noticed that once a review is started, my customers with Acrobat 7 Standard, pro, or 3D don't have all their menus/tools available. Can you explain what is going on? — Sarah, NY Read answer
Working with Legacy Forms
This tip gives you some ideas for how to integrate paper versions of forms into electronic forms solutions. Download [PDF: 528 KB]
How do I get a high quality PDF file?
Dear Lori, Will converting to PDF give me as high a quality print job as the original InDesign digital files? If I do convert to PDF, will I still need to send all the linked EPS drawings, fonts and linked photos? — HH, Ohio Read answer
Help! How do I use the typewriter tool?
Dear Lori, I am using Acrobat Professional 7.0 and am having problems filling in forms that do not have form fields. I was told that I could use the "typewriter" tool but is there a way that I can specify what type of font and size I want to use? — BB, Louisana Read answer
Can I Reset some form fields without resetting all of them?
Dear Lori, I have a PDF form with multiple fields. I have created a "reset" button, but only want to reset some of the fields. Is this possible? If so, can you give an example? — Ruth, Georgia Read answer
Understanding the Execute function in Adobe LiveCycle Designer
This tip discusses the Execute control: How it works and what happens when you implement it on a button. Download [PDF: 843 KB]
How do I remove the Document Compare symbols placed on the page?
Dear Lori, I love the document compare feature in Acrobat 7 Professional (and Acrobat 3D) and I have read your tip on the Compare Documents feature. However, after I compare two documents, I would like to remove the symbols that are placed on the page. How is this done? Read answer
Migrating from Acrobat forms to XML forms
This tip discusses converting JavaScript and actions created in Acrobat (using AcroForms) to work in Adobe LiveCycle Designer (using XML forms). Download [PDF: 298 KB]
Connecting Document JavaScript to 3D Views Download [PDF: 1.8 MB]
How do I check for layers, comemnts and forms in a collection of PDF files?
Dear Lori, I have a collection of PDF files and need a quick way to check if there are any layers, or comments/markup, or form fields. Can you help? Read answer
Determining the Adobe Acrobat/Reader Version
This tip shows you how to determine which version of Acrobat or Acrobat Reader your customer is using. Download [PDF: 1.7 MB]
How do I customize a stamp?
Dear Lori, I've read your tip on "Creating a Custom Dynamic Stamp" but I still have some questions. Where is the stamp stored on a Mac? I love this technology, but how do I ensure the stamp will print? What if my customer turns off printing of comments? Read answer
How do I make a PDF form and capture the data?
Dear Lori, We are in the process of creating a PDF form with Adobe Acrobat Pro. If we create this form with Acrobat 7 Professional, can people with Adobe Reader use this form and save their data to a database? Will I need to use JavaScript to do this? Read answer
Understanding Compare Documents using Adobe Acrobat 7.0
This tip discusses how to use the Compare Documents feature in Adobe Acrobat 7.0. Download [PDF: 1.2 MB]
Creating a Custom Dynamic Stamp
This tip reviews how to create your own custom dynamic stamp in Adobe Acrobat. Download [PDF: 800 KB]
Is it possible to set the document's initial view?
Dear Lori, I am an acrobat user and was wondering if I can make a PDF that overrides a client's reader and opens the file up in 100% or to fit the window. Can you tell me how this works? Read answer
Using the Snapshot Tool
This tip looks at how to use the Snapshot tool in Acrobat/Reader 7 to easily identify a print region in large or complex PDF documents. Download [PDF: 252 KB]
Working with Dynamic Images
This tip discusses the differences between working with dynamic images in Acrobat-created forms and Designer-created forms. Download [PDF: 474 KB]
Providing interactive database lookup from forms
Read this tip to learn how to use LiveCycle Designer to write data to and retrieve information from databases. Download [PDF: 612 KB]
Viewing all Scripts in a Template
Read this quick tip on how to view all scripts in a template in Adobe LiveCycle Designer 7.0. Download [PDF: 316 KB]
Understanding the Submit function in Adobe LiveCycle Designer
This tip discusses the Submit control in Adobe LiveCycle Designer: How it works and what happens when you implement it on a button. Download [PDF: 918 KB]
Acrobat Developer Resources
These developer resources are designed to provide you with a single site in which to find detailed technical documentation, downloads, and all the other tools you need to extend the functionality of Acrobat or build it into your own solutions.
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