Hyperlink-Based Form Fields That Survive PDF Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional word processing applications lack the ability to efficiently create and maintain form field elements, which are lost when documents are converted to interactive formats like PDF, requiring manual re-creation and multiple conversions, and require technical knowledge of text tags for form field generation.
Innovation Solution
A form authoring add-in integrated into word processing applications generates hyperlinks with embedded form field properties as URL parameters, allowing seamless conversion to interactive forms without losing form field elements during document edits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If form field elements are created manually in word processing documents, then the document can be converted to interactive format, but the form field elements are lost during conversion requiring manual re-creation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary encoding of form field properties into hyperlinks during the word processing stage. The hyperlink contains embedded form field properties (type, name, defaultValue) that are prepared in advance, so when conversion occurs, the form fields can be automatically reconstructed without manual re-creation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hyperlink serves as an intermediary carrier that bridges the word processing document and the interactive form. It encodes form field properties in a format that can be interpreted during conversion, acting as a mediator that preserves form field information through the conversion process.
2Ease of operation
If conventional word processing applications are used without form authoring tools, then the application remains simple, but form field generation requires technical knowledge of text tags
Solution Approach 1:
The word processing application is enhanced with multi-functionality by integrating form authoring capabilities through the add-in. The same application can now both process regular text and generate form fields with proper properties, eliminating the need for separate form authoring tools or technical knowledge of text tags.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service form field generation by automatically creating hyperlinks with embedded form field properties when users specify form field parameters through the user interface. The application handles the complex encoding and conversion processes automatically without requiring users to manually write text tags or understand conversion mechanics.
3Reliability
If multiple conversions are performed to maintain form fields, then form field elements can be preserved, but the process becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The form field properties are encoded into hyperlinks during the initial word processing stage, preparing the document in advance for single-step conversion. This preliminary encoding ensures that all necessary form field information is embedded before conversion occurs, enabling reliable form field preservation in a single conversion operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are disclosed for generating form field elements in a document based on hyperlinks with the form field properties representing properties of a form field. In particular, in one or more embodiments, the method may include generating a visible anchor element in a first document, the visible anchor element representing a hyperlink containing the form field properties of a form field of the first document. The method may further include converting the first document from a first format to a second document in a second format. The method may further include generating a form field element in the second document based on the hyperlink containing the form field properties.