Unlocking the Power of PDFs in FileMaker with DynaPDF and the MBS FileMaker Plugin
When it comes to handling PDF documents, FileMaker developers have a robust ally in DynaPDF and the MBS FileMaker Plugin. This powerful combination opens up a world of possibilities for creating, modifying, and managing PDF files directly within your FileMaker solutions. Let’s dive into the key capabilities that DynaPDF and the MBS FileMaker Plugin bring to the table.
For each point we can link to the relevant functions and on the documentation pages, you find listed examples and further blog articles.
1. Create PDFs from Scratch
With DynaPDF and the MBS FileMaker Plugin, you can effortlessly generate PDF files directly from FileMaker. Whether you need to create a professional invoice, a custom report, or any other document, you have full control over the layout and content. You can incorporate text, images, and graphics to design documents that align perfectly with your needs. This functionality allows for seamless integration of data from FileMaker into beautifully formatted PDFs.
See DynaPDF.New and then DynaPDF.AppendPage to add pages.
2. Modify Existing PDFs
The ability to modify existing PDFs is a game-changer for many users. DynaPDF, when utilized through the MBS FileMaker Plugin, lets you edit PDF files by adding or removing pages, adjusting content, and merging multiple documents into a single file. You can also split PDFs into smaller segments or extract specific pages. This level of flexibility ensures that your PDF documents are always up-to-date and tailored to your specific requirements.
See DynaPDF.EditPage to edit a page you imported. Note that importing existing PDFs need at least a DynaPDF Lite license from us.
3. Annotate PDFs
Adding annotations and comments to PDFs can be crucial for reviewing and collaborating on documents. With DynaPDF, you can easily incorporate highlights, notes, and other types of annotations into your PDFs. This feature is particularly useful for document review processes, where feedback and suggestions need to be clearly marked and communicated.
See functions to create annotations: DynaPDF.ChangeLinkAnnot, DynaPDF.FindLinkAnnot, DynaPDF.FreeTextAnnot, DynaPDF.FileAttachAnnot, DynaPDF.HighlightAnnot, DynaPDF.CircleAnnot, DynaPDF.StampAnnot, DynaPDF.TextAnnot, DynaPDF.SquareAnnot, DynaPDF.LineAnnot and DynaPDF.WatermarkAnnot.
4. Fill Interactive Forms
Many PDFs come with interactive forms that require data entry. DynaPDF, through the MBS FileMaker Plugin, allows you to automate this process by filling out these forms with data from your FileMaker database. This capability streamlines data entry tasks, reduces manual errors, and ensures that your forms are consistently filled with accurate information.
See DynaPDF.SetTextFieldValue and DynaPDF.SetFieldExpValue to set fields.
5. Extract Data from PDFs
If you need to pull text, images, or other content from PDF documents, DynaPDF offers powerful extraction capabilities. This means you can extract and repurpose data from PDFs for use within FileMaker. Whether you’re archiving data or importing information into your database, this functionality makes it easier to manage and utilize content from your PDF files.
See DynaPDF.ExtractText to extract text of a page and check DynaPDF.GetImage and DynaPDF.GetImageCount to loop over all images in a PDF.
6. Search and Highlight Text
Searching for specific text within a PDF can be time-consuming if done manually. DynaPDF provides a more efficient solution by allowing you to perform text searches and highlight search results within PDFs. This feature is invaluable for quickly locating and reviewing important information in large documents.
Check the new parser functions around DynaPDF.Parser.FindText and DynaPDF.Parser.ReplaceSelText.
7. Secure Your PDFs
Document security is a top priority for many organizations. With DynaPDF, you can apply various security settings to your PDFs, such as password protection and encryption. This ensures that sensitive information remains confidential and that unauthorized users cannot access or alter your documents. Customizable permissions further allow you to control what actions can be performed on your PDFs.
See DynaPDF.EnableEncryption function.
8. Optimize PDFs
Managing PDF file size and quality can be important, especially when dealing with large documents. DynaPDF offers optimization features that help you compress PDFs and adjust quality settings. This can be particularly useful for reducing file size without sacrificing document integrity, making it easier to share and store your PDFs.
See DynaPDF.Optimize function.
9. Add and Manage Digital Signatures
DynaPDF supports adding digital signatures to PDF documents, which is essential for verifying the authenticity and integrity of a document. Through the MBS FileMaker Plugin, you can embed digital signatures directly into your PDFs. This feature is crucial for legal documents, contracts, and any other documents where verification is important. You can manage and validate these signatures to ensure that your documents are secure and trusted.
See DynaPDF.GetInIsSigned function to check status and DynaPDF.SaveAndSignFile to sign a PDF digitally.
10. Generate PDF/A for Archiving
PDF/A is an ISO-standardized version of PDF specially designed for digital preservation of electronic documents. DynaPDF allows you to create PDF/A-compliant files, ensuring that your documents are suitable for long-term archiving. This is particularly useful for organizations that need to meet regulatory requirements for document retention and archival.
See DynaPDF.CheckConformance function to check PDF/A status and convert if needed.
11. Work with PDF Layers (Optional Content Groups)
PDFs can include layers, also known as Optional Content Groups (OCGs), which allow you to control the visibility of different elements within a document. DynaPDF enables you to create, manage, and manipulate these layers. This is useful for creating complex documents where certain content might be toggled on or off depending on user needs or preferences.
See DynaPDF.CreateOCG to create one or DynaPDF.SetOCGState to show or hide one.
12. Extract Metadata from PDFs
Metadata within PDFs can provide valuable information about the document, such as author details, creation date, and more. DynaPDF allows you to extract and work with this metadata. This can be useful for indexing, searching, and managing PDF documents more effectively within your FileMaker database.
See functions like DynaPDF.GetDocInfoAsJSON or DynaPDF.GetImportDocInfoAsJSON.
13. Create and Manage PDF Bookmarks
Bookmarks in PDFs help users navigate through documents more efficiently. DynaPDF lets you create and manage bookmarks, which can enhance the usability of lengthy documents by providing a structured and easy-to-navigate layout.
See functions like DynaPDF.GetBookmarksAsJSON to list all book marks and DynaPDF.AddBookmark function to add one.
Conclusion
Integrating DynaPDF with the MBS FileMaker Plugin in FileMaker significantly expands your ability to work with PDF documents. From creating and modifying PDFs to securing and optimizing them, this powerful combination provides a comprehensive set of tools for managing your documents efficiently. By leveraging these capabilities, you can enhance your FileMaker solutions, streamline workflows, and ensure that your PDF handling needs are met with precision and ease.
Let us know if you have questions and check out the examples coming with the plugin.