The Subform Set sample demonstrates the behavior of a dynamic
PDF form. Four samples demonstrate the instantiation behavior of
the Subform Set object according to the varying relationships of
the subform type and occurrence values. The sample form contains
numbered notes represented as black circles with white numbers.
The notes are explained in
About the Subform Set output
.
The sample includes these files:
File
Description
SubformSet1.xdp
SubformSet2.xdp
SubformSet3.xdp
SubformSet4.xdp
Designer form file located in the Forms
folder
DataA.xml
DataB.xml
XML data files located in the Data folder
SubformSet1 DataA.pdf
SubformSet1
DataB.pdf
SubformSet2 DataA.pdf
SubformSet2 DataB.pdf
SubformSet3
DataA.pdf
SubformSet3 DataB.pdf
SubformSet4 DataA.pdf
SubformSet4
DataB.pdf
Rendered forms with merged data located
in the Outputs folder
To run the Subform Set sample
Open one of the forms
in the Forms folder, located in \EN\Samples\Forms\SubformSet, in
Designer.
To specify the preview options, select File > Form Properties.
Click the Preview tab and do the following tasks:
In the Preview Type list, select Print Form (Two-sided).
In the Data File box, browse to the Data folder and select
one of the sample data files (for example DataA.xml).
Click OK.
To preview the form, click the Preview PDF tab.
The
output sample PDF files in the Outputs folder show the rendered
forms merged with each of the two sets of data. Use these files
to compare to the results of the previewed form.
About the Subform Set output
These numbered comments correspond to the numbered black-circle
icons on the Subform Set sample form.
1. Data
Two sample data files are available for this sample. This
section provides the name of the data file merged with the form
along with the content of the data file. This information is useful
for comparing the data displayed in section 3, “Subform Relationship”.
2. Subform Occurrence
Each form contains three subforms. This section provides
the minimum count and maximum occurrence values of the subforms. The
occurrence values are specified in the Binding tab of the Object
palette.
Subform specifications per form
Form
subformA
subformB
subformC
SubformSet1.xdp
Min Count = 0 Max =-1*
Min Count = 0 Max = -1*
Min Count = 0 Max = -1*
SubformSet2.xdp
Min Count = 0 Max = 1
Min Count = 0 Max = 1
Min Count = 0 Max = 1
SubformSet3.xdp
Min Count = 1 Max = 1
Min Count = 1 Max = 1
Min Count = 1 Max = 1
SubformSet4.xdp
Min Count = 2 Max = 2
Min Count = 1 Max = 1
Min Count = 3 Max = 3
* The Max value is unlimited when the Repeat
Subform for Each Data Item option in the Binding tab of the Object
palette is selected.
3. Subform Relationship
The third section contains three columns used to compare
the layout of the subforms inside different relationship types:
Column
Type
Comments
1
Use All Subforms in Order
The subforms are instantiated in the order
in which they are declared in the form. This has the effect of potentially
reordering the content to satisfy the form order.
2
Select One Subform from Alternatives
The subforms are exclusive of each other,
and only one subform may be instantiated. The determination of which
subform to instantiate is based on the data.
