How would I go about taking an existing PDF file and intergrate an input spreadsheet where the data you input would show up in certain parts of existing pdf?
The situation: a contractors estimate sheet scanned and turned into pdf form. On pdf form I would like to be able to enter info on spreadsheet where it would transfer onto this estimate sheet and I could save,fax,email to client. I have tried a program formulate which lets me type onto sheet but I would prefer data entry and some calculations. maybe expand into entering it on my online invoice as well.
Let me know if you find a solution. We are looking for some app that let's us fill out a client form and either print or email it from the app. So far I haven't had any luck.
How would I go about taking an existing PDF file and intergrate an input spreadsheet where the data you input would show up in certain parts of existing pdf?
The situation: a contractors estimate sheet scanned and turned into pdf form. On pdf form I would like to be able to enter info on spreadsheet where it would transfer onto this estimate sheet and I could save,fax,email to client. I have tried a program formulate which lets me type onto sheet but I would prefer data entry and some calculations. maybe expand into entering it on my online invoice as well.
I hope this makes sense
What is the source of the scanned PDF --a hand written form, a spread sheet, a napkin?
Is this your own form, subcontractor form (estimate), or other?
If it's your own form, it should not be difficult to re-create the form in a spreadsheet or FileMaker and from there either substitute (re-enter) the data (if hand written) or do direct entry on site if you have a portable. My choice would be FileMaker, which can not only keep track of everything, but do calculations, create invoices, fax, email and pretty much everything else.
If it's a different scanned form each time (i.e. from various subs) then it gets rather involved. PDF forms created in Acrobat are editable, but I don't believe you can add tables or calculations. Scanned forms are just that --scanned --and whether they're jpgs, tifs or PDFs they're generally non editable.
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What is the source of the scanned PDF --a hand written form, a spread sheet, a napkin?
Is this your own form, subcontractor form (estimate), or other?
If it's your own form, it should not be difficult to re-create the form in a spreadsheet or FileMaker and from there either substitute (re-enter) the data (if hand written) or do direct entry on site if you have a portable. My choice would be FileMaker, which can not only keep track of everything, but do calculations, create invoices, fax, email and pretty much everything else.
If it's a different scanned form each time (i.e. from various subs) then it gets rather involved. PDF forms created in Acrobat are editable, but I don't believe you can add tables or calculations. Scanned forms are just that --scanned --and whether they're jpgs, tifs or PDFs they're generally non editable.
it's a pre printed estimate sheet that is ours and the same all the time. Just the difference being the price and customer information. I have the file in a scanned PDF format and would like to enter info on it electronically as opposed to hand written.
it's a pre printed estimate sheet that is ours and the same all the time. Just the difference being the price and customer information. I have the file in a scanned PDF format and would like to enter info on it electronically as opposed to hand written.
Can't be done if you want tables, calculated results and invoices.
Re-create the form template in a spreadsheet or database application.
My choice would be a database app like Filemaker. By re-using fields you could go from estimate to invoice easily. You could also store the original hand written estimate and print contracts with all pertinent information automatically filled in. All this, of course, depends on how much time you want to invest in the learning curve.
__________________
Please help fight Cancer -Donate or volunteer to the Canadian Cancer Society
--------------- MOΛΩN ΛABE
Can't be done if you want tables, calculated results and invoices.
Re-create the form template in a spreadsheet or database application.
My choice would be a database app like Filemaker. By re-using fields you could go from estimate to invoice easily. You could also store the original hand written estimate and print contracts with all pertinent information automatically filled in. All this, of course, depends on how much time you want to invest in the learning curve.
Can't be done if you want tables, calculated results and invoices.
Re-create the form template in a spreadsheet or database application.
My choice would be a database app like Filemaker. By re-using fields you could go from estimate to invoice easily. You could also store the original hand written estimate and print contracts with all pertinent information automatically filled in. All this, of course, depends on how much time you want to invest in the learning curve.
+1
Plus you will build up a history of bids and be able to do analysis.
FileMaker is very good at creating forms. I am into a project now where real estate appraisers have committed their forms to FileMaker. These are pretty fair duplicates of what their clients ask for on papaer. They are being updated an some other things done. Anything to do with real estate generally starts at 500 fields. These guys are coming in with over 1000. They have been doing it for years.
I am into another project with bidding, but they want the bids to flow into the actual work scheduling. Can't do that with a spread sheet.
Final points (a) it will network, greatly helping collaboration or work division and (b) is it cross platform so if some are runnng mac and others windows - one size fits all.
Thinking out loud.... I wonder if you could create a Numbers (or Excel or even Pages?) spreadsheet.... reproduce your PDF text in text boxes and layered into the background (or just put the PDF in there as a background image) and "hide" all the cells that you want to have invisible, leaving only the data fields required....
Thinking out loud.... I wonder if you could create a Numbers (or Excel or even Pages?) spreadsheet.... reproduce your PDF text in text boxes and layered into the background (or just put the PDF in there as a background image) and "hide" all the cells that you want to have invisible, leaving only the data fields required....
M
Years ago it was common for many Filemaker developers to "kludge" background graphics onto which they placed transparent data entry fields. Problem was that unless the graphic was optimized and the DB ran on a fast machine the fields would load before the graphic. Then more "kludges" like "freeze window" were used to prevent that from showing. The result was kludge upon kludge bogging the whole thing down.
I think the OP needs to re-evaluate his current process of going from estimate to invoice and match the best affordable technology to that need. Sometimes you need to blow thing up and start from scratch.
The simplest and cheapest solution is to buy iWorks for $100 and do this in Numbers and Pages, otherwise I'd suggest Filemaker and save the project for winter nights.
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FileMaker is the way
Linear Mode
