PDF-Based Print Forms 

Purpose

PDF-based print forms are part of the Interactive Forms based on Adobe Software solution and are used for mass printing in SAP systems. As well as standard output on printers, and the option of archiving documents, you can also use your application to send a PDF to the Business Communication Services (BCS). Here, you have the option of faxing or e-mailing your documents.

The following gives you an overview of how a PDF-based print form is structured, and also tells you how to create a PDF-based print form in the development environment of the ABAP Workbench. The integrated Adobe LiveCycle Designer software supports you when you do this. This software must be installed on your front end before you can create a layout. To see a print preview of your form, you first need to install Adobe Reader or a complete version of Adobe Acrobat.

This documentation does not discuss how documents are printed and controlled on printers. Instead, it discusses the whole process up to when a file is sent to output management functions, such as the spool system in SAP systems (for more information, see SAP Printing Guide (BC-CCM-PRN)).

Integration

An activated PDF-based print form corresponds to a callable function module in the SAP system. The complete logic of the form is represented by this function module. When a form is printed, it is called by an application program, which collects the relevant application data. The application program uses the function module interface to send the data. Therefore, the data collection process is split from the logic of the form. This means that you only need to adjust the form when you modify the logic or layout.

You can create interactive forms in two ways:

·        Web Dynpro for Java in the SAP NetWeaver Developer Studio development environment

·        Web Dynpro for ABAP in the ABAP Workbench development environment

Features

To develop a PDF-based print form, you use the Form Builder that is integrated with the ABAP Workbench. This tool enables you to create a complete form description, even if you do not have extensive programming skills. The tool supports you in the following tasks:

·        Creating layouts:

Here, you use the Adobe LiveCycle Designer to design pages or create the layout.

·        Specifying the data used in the form:

In the form context, you specify which data, tables, texts, and graphics are sent to the form.

·        Migration of Smart Forms:

By migrating Smart Forms, you can reuse them as PDF-based print forms. You can find the Smart Form migration tool in transaction SMARTFORMS.

Smart Forms are still supported; you can continue to forms created in Smart Forms without making any changes.

·        Importing existing PDF files or forms

This tool is integrated into Adobe LiveCycle Designer and enables you to use your own templates for your form.

·        Scripting

The Adobe LiveCycle Designer uses the script languages JavaScript and FormCalc. FormCalc is a simple Adobe script language for typical form calculations, including mathematical and logical functions, and date and character string functions. For more information about FormCalc, and a FormCalc language reference, see the online help of Adobe LiveCycle Designer.

To achieve the best level of performance when processing forms, use as little scripting as possible in the form. If possible, perform all calculations and data analysis in the application program, before the form is called.

·        Printing and archiving the PDF-based print form:

You can use output parameters to specify print and archive settings, and so adapt the output to your requirements. These parameters are not viewed in the Form Builder. Instead, you control them with function modules that you integrate in your application program.