How to Exclude Form Fields from Exported Data in Adobe Acrobat DC
Question details
The user wants to know how to exclude certain PDF form fields from being exported to merged data (like Excel) in Adobe Acrobat DC, seeking an alternative to LiveCycle's 'Binding set to None' feature.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Exporting filled PDF form data into an Excel spreadsheet while omitting specific fields.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat DC lacks the direct 'Binding' property found in LiveCycle, causing all form fields to be included in the exported data by default.
Determine which specific form fields you need to exclude from your final dataset, and ensure you have a backup of your original fillable PDF before making structural changes.
Manage Unwanted Fields via Post-Export Deletion or Form Restructuring
Since Acrobat DC does not offer an exact equivalent to LiveCycle's binding option, the most effective workaround is to either remove unnecessary fields from the form or delete the excluded data columns after exporting to Excel.
Adobe Acrobat DC utilizes AcroForms, which manage data differently than LiveCycle's XFA architecture. AcroForms do not natively support a 'Do not export' property for individual fields. Therefore, any field containing data will be included when merging data files into a spreadsheet.
Launch Adobe Acrobat DC, open your PDF form, and select the 'Prepare Form' tool from the right-hand pane.
If certain fields are strictly for visual or layout purposes and do not need to collect user data, right-click them and select 'Delete'.
Click 'More' (the three dots) in the right-hand panel, select 'Merge Data Files into Spreadsheet', and choose the files you want to process.
Once the CSV file is generated, open it in Microsoft Excel or WPS Spreadsheet, highlight the columns for the fields you wanted to exclude, and delete them manually.
Easily Extract and Edit PDF Form Data with WPS Office
If you are looking for a straightforward way to handle PDF forms and extract data, WPS Office offers an integrated suite. You can seamlessly convert your PDF forms directly to Excel, allowing you to instantly delete unwanted columns and format your dataset without dealing with complex form properties.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your filled PDF form using the WPS PDF editor.
- 2. Convert to Spreadsheet: Navigate to the 'Tools' tab and click on the 'PDF to Excel' conversion tool.
- 3. Edit the extracted data: Once converted, the file will automatically open in WPS Spreadsheet. Simply select the columns you do not need and delete them to finalize your dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set a form field to not export data in Acrobat DC?
No, Acrobat DC does not have a direct 'Binding: None' or 'Do not export' property for individual fields like LiveCycle did. You must either remove the field, exclude the column post-export, or use a custom JavaScript submission button.
How do I export multiple PDF form data into one Excel sheet?
In Acrobat DC, open the 'Prepare Form' tool, click on the 'More' options icon in the right pane, and select 'Merge Data Files into Spreadsheet'. Add all the filled PDF files you want to extract data from, and export them as a single CSV file.
Why did Adobe replace LiveCycle's features in Acrobat DC?
Adobe transitioned away from XFA-based LiveCycle forms toward standard AcroForms in Acrobat DC to ensure better compatibility with modern web browsers, mobile PDF viewers, and third-party applications.
