How to Add Photos to a Custom PDF in Adobe Acrobat

Using Adobe Acrobat

When creating a custom PDF in Adobe Acrobat please note that it is not a dynamic document. The PDF boxes cannot grow and shrink based on how many photos you have on your Multi-Photo Field. The amount of photos allowed in your custom PDF is limited to the specified amount within the custom PDF. If you allow for 4 photos and take 5 photos, you will only see 4 photos. It is important to keep this in mind when building your custom PDF. This also applies to sub-forms and photos within those sub-forms when using custom PDF.

Using the Single Photo Field

Like other field types, you will use the field key in the builder to map the information from the app to your custom PDF.

In the example below, I have a single photo picker field key (photo_picker_21) in my form, and when someone submits my form with this picture, I want it to get mapped to my custom PDF.

In Adobe Acrobat Pro, create a Button field. Since Adobe Acrobat doesn't have a specific field for mapping an image, you can use the Button field type to display an image in your report. Next, manipulate the dimensions by dragging the button borders to meet specified dimensions. This may take a bit of trial and error to get the photos to appear exactly as you'd like.

Next, you'll need to rename the button to the exact field key of your photo. In my case, it's photo_picker_21.

You are done! Now all you'll need to do is save your custom PDF, upload to the builder, and save and publish your form in the builder. 

Using the Multi-Photo Field

The process for adding a Multi-Photo Field to your custom PDF is almost exactly the same as the single photo field, with just a few minor differences. In the example below, I have a Multiple Photo Capture field with a field key of multiphoto_picker_22.

Here are where the few differences come into play. Now I am in Adobe Acrobat Pro, and I need to think about the maximum amount of photos I want to bring into my custom PDF. At the beginning of this article, I explained that custom PDFs are not dynamic.  I need to create a button field for each spot to allow a photo into my custom PDF. This means that if I create two button fields and take only one photo in the app, only one photo will show in the custom PDF. But if I take 4 photos, only the first two will show in your custom PDF.

I have created two button fields in Adobe Acrobat Pro and sized them according to my needs in the example below. Since Adobe Acrobat doesn't have a specific field for mapping an image, you can use the button field type to display an image in your report.

Now, I need to change their names to match the field key of my multi-photo picker. The only difference now is I need to signify which one is photo 1 and photo 2. You do that very simply by adding a _1 and _2 at the end of the field key for each photo.

If I wanted to add a few more photos to my PDF, I would add those button fields and name them with a _3 and _4 at the end of the name. Very simple to do once you understand the naming convention.

 

Custom PDF Requirements

• Adobe Acrobat - To design your custom PDF, you will need Adobe Acrobat. Our tools DO NOT support Adobe LifeCycle or other third-party solutions. Adobe Acrobat Reader is not sufficient for setting up report templates. It does not allow you to create documents and is a read-only application.

Note: If you do not have Adobe Acrobat or need assistance setting up your custom PDF Report Template, we can help. We offer customizations and can provide you with a quote to set up your report. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us at [e-mail].