About the Scripting Reference

The Adobe® XML Form Object Model, based on the Adobe XML Forms Architecture, represents the underlying technology behind the Adobe XML form solution and incorporates XML architectural concepts such as Document Object Model (DOM). Using this technology, form developers can create complex and flexible form-based applications for use with the client or the server.

Designer enables a form developer to build intelligent forms using only the options provided in the Designer graphical interface.

By scripting against the XML Form Object Model, form developers may further manipulate all aspects of the form, extending the functionality of the form beyond what is available through the Designer interface. For example, you might use a simple calculation to automatically update costs on a purchase order, or you might use scripting to modify the appearance of your form in response to the locale of the user.

Scripting is supported in two languages: FormCalc, a calculation language created by Adobe Systems Incorporated, and JavaScript, a powerful and popular scripting language.

Each host, such as Adobe® Acrobat and Adobe® Reader, is responsible for implementing the available methods. Some methods, such as beep, do not make sense on a server. The server does not implement these methods and instead can output an error message if a user tries to call the method.

For information about the basics of creating scripts, see Scripting Basics .

Subforms and containers

In Designer, forms are documents that are created from a hierarchy of optionally repeating building-blocks known as subforms . Each subform controls a portion of the overall structure, presentation, and behavior of the form. Individual subforms enclose a combination of objects that produce fillable regions (fields) and non-fillable regions (draws). Subforms may also contain other subforms, and each subform may have properties that determine how and when the subform is instantiated into a constructed form.

Within each form is a concept of a container. A container is an object that holds data or values. Simple containers, those that are not capable of holding other containers or objects, include fields (text, numeric, buttons) and drawn objects (text, circle, line). All containers capable of holding other containers as well as non-container objects are considered complex containers . Subforms are an example of a complex container.

Version mapping to the XML Forms Architecture (XFA)

Each version of Designer ships with a specific version of XML Forms Architecture (XFA). XFA represents the underlying technology beneath the Adobe XML forms solution.

The version of XFA in which a scripting property or method was added is included in the description of each property and method.

XFA Version

Designer Version

3.6

No public release

3.5

10.0

3.3

No public release

3.2

9.0.1

3.1

9.0

3.0

8.2.1

2.9

No public release

2.8

8.2

2.7

No public release

2.6

8.1

2.5

8.0

2.4

7.1

2.3

No public release

2.2

7.0

2.1

6.0

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