title: Manipulating PDF Files and using Adobe Form Fields
body: <p>I have searched through stack-overflow in response to a similar question.</p>
  
  <p>I currently have a pre-made PDF, which I have gone and used Adobe Acrobat PRO to create some entry fields within the PDF. </p>
  
  <p>Once I have completed the entire form, I would like to use PHP to run through the PDF fill in the form with the associated information from a database, and re-save the PDF.</p>
  
  <p>Currently I am using an X,Y value system and using ZEND_PDF to make that happen, which works great, but effeciency is down the tubes when i'm trying to create a complex PDF. And I think creating the form within the PDF first would be a much more effecient way of doing it.</p>
  
  <p>I have read about using FDF as a possible solution, but not sure if this is a the best route.
  After I created the fields in Acrobat, I save it, and go to  FORMS -> EXPORT FORM DATA AS -> FDF or XML</p>
  
  <p>But my response in the file is as follows if i open it in notepad:  </p>
  
  <pre><code>%FDF-1.2
  %âãÏÓ
  1 0 obj
  &lt;&lt;/FDF&lt;&lt;/F(this-is-my-pdf-pro.pdf)/Fields[&lt;&lt;/T(contractType)/V/Off&gt;&gt;]/ID[&lt;545A7F611C15BEFE4DFE4C7C829256AE&gt;&lt;60AD70B6B530BF42B5F2D52956886AA7&gt;]/UF(this-is-my-pdf-pro.pdf)&gt;&gt;/Type/Catalog&gt;&gt;
  endobj
  trailer
  &lt;&lt;/Root 1 0 R&gt;&gt;
  %%EOF
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>And I don't seem to see any reference to fields at all other than the 1 RADIO selection option... I have text-fields in there as well but not being displayed.
  So my question comes down to, what is the best solution for this?</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>Continue using X,Y coordinates to fill in my PDF</li>
  <li>using Adobe Acrobat to create the fields and run a search and replace or something?</li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>If anyone has any solutions I would be much appreciative! </p>