Import Custom Layout allow users to use existing Fillable PDF forms for exporting and archiving purposes. Instead of designing a Custom Layout in Design Printout, users can take their existing Fillable PDF files and map the fields to bindings in the form in SYNCHRO. 

Currently, SYNCHRO only supports Acrobat Forms (AcroForm). XMF Forms Architecture (XFA) or LiveCycle forms are not supported.

Create a fillable PDF file

1. Open Acrobat and Click on the “Tools” tab and click “Prepare Form.”
   
   
   
2. Select a file or scan a document.
   
   
   Note: Acrobat will automatically analyze your document and add form fields.
   
   

3. Add new form fields. Use the top toolbar and adjust the layout using tools in the right pane.
   
   
4. Save your fillable PDF.
   
   Note: You can also share it with others or click Distribute to collect responses automatically.
   
   

Switching to Import Custom Layout

Recommended Best Practice: Before for switching to the Import Custom Layout fully complete the design of the form on the Design Form Page.

Make sure that all SYNCHRO form Control types match the field type used on the Fillable PDF form. For example, if the PDF has a Checkbox, then use a Checkbox on the SYNCHRO form. Or if the PDF has a Dropdown, then use a Dropdown on the SYNCHRO form.

Note: The export of SYNCHRO forms to fillable PDF forms is supported for all form components except:

• Grid
• Weather
• Signature
  • Signature fields in SYNCHRO forms can be exported to plain text fields in the PDF.
  • Signature fields in SYNCHRO can not be exported to certified digital signature fields in the PDF.

Also, ensure all the control Bindings have a matching or clear description of the corresponding names on the Fillable PDF Form. This will make the mapping process easier.

1. Once the form has been fully constructed to match the existing Fillable PDF on the Design Form page, users can transition to the Design Printout page. From here they can switch the layout from Standard to Import custom layout (PDF).
   
   
   
2. Import a fillable PDF to use it as the design for the printout. Drag and Drop or Browse to upload file.
   
   
   
3. If an invalid file type or no fillable fields are detected the below error message will appear.
   
   
   Note: If the PDF is flattened or scanned, fields can easily be created in the file using either desktop software (Adobe Acrobat Pro, Foxit, etc.) or using online tools (PDFescape, Sejda, etc.). These fields include text fields, dropdowns, dates, and other commonly used field types. If the PDF is an XFA, the easiest way is open it in Acrobat Reader, print it as an image to PDF and then use the methods above to re-create the fields using the AcroForm structure. Another method is to use converters found online such as Aspose. Please note that formatting may not be perfectly maintained and that some fields might be misinterpreted. If using this method, please review the output before uploading it to SYNCHRO to ensure it is the design you want to use for exporting.
   
   

4. This will bring users to the Import Custom Layout screen where they can start editing the print layout.

Import custom layout (PDF) Setup & Options

The Import custom Layout design printout page has two sections. The section on the left is the Mapping section, while the section on the right displays the imported Fillable PDF file.

The objective is to Map the form Bindings from SYNCHRO form (left) to the uploaded PDF file (right). Once the mapping is finalized the PDF will be automatically filled with data from the completed SYNCHRO form as if it had been filled out manually.
 

1. When the PDF form field is selected in the Mapping section on the left it will highlight the corresponding field on the PDF form view.
   
   
   
2. Start to match the SYNCHRO form Bindings to the PDF fields.
   
   
   
3. Bindings such as Multiselect and Dropdown will require the lists to be configured, by clicking Configure values.
   
   
   
4. Map priorities by selecting a value from the PDF dropdown to match its corresponding form value.
   
   
   
5. Once all the mapping has been completed, the form is ready to be used.
   
   
   Note: the PDF can be updated and re-mapped at any time.
   
   

Export to PDF

When exporting an Import custom layout form to PDF users will get the option to include:

• Comments
• Audit Trails
• Images
• Export Attachments
  
  

Note: When selecting the Export attachments option, a zipped file will be downloaded to the users Downloads directory. The zipped file will include a PDF copy of the Form and a folder contain all images and attachments.

Custom Exports

The following are automated system bindings only available for fillable PDF files.

• Context.Name – Project name.
• Context.Number – Project number.
• Forms.AssignedToOrg – Organization of user to which the form instance is assigned.
• Forms.AttachmentList – List of files attached to the form instance.
• Forms.CreatedBy – Name user who created the form instance.
• Forms.CreatedDate – Date when the form instance was created
• Forms.CreatedTimestamp – Date and time when the form instance was created.
• Forms.CreatedOrg – Organization of user who created the form instance .
• Forms.ClosedBy – User who closed the form instance.
• Forms.ExportDate – Date when the form instance was exported.
• Forms.ExportTimestamp – Date and time when the form instance was exported.
• Forms.ExportUser – User who exported the form instance.
• Forms.ExportOrg – Organization of user who exported the form instance.
• Forms.IdWithoutPrefix – ID number of the form instance without the prefix, e.g. ISS-0001 shows as 00001. To show the ID with the prefix, please use the default binding Id Number