Process existing PDF forms inside Oracle

PL/ACROFORM provides a focused PL/SQL API for working with the AcroForm fields in existing PDF documents. Read field values, populate form data, or turn an interactive form into a non-editable PDF for delivery and downstream processing.

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A simple, consistent PL/SQL API

Three public functions cover the primary PDF form workflow. All operations accept an existing PDF BLOB and return a CLOB or a new PDF BLOB.

-- Read form fields and values as JSON.
l_json := pl_acroform.extract(p_pdf => l_source_pdf);

-- Populate an interactive PDF form.
l_filled_pdf := pl_acroform.fill(
  p_pdf  => l_source_pdf,
  p_data => l_json_data
);

-- Fill and flatten with one PDF save.
l_static_pdf := pl_acroform.fill(
  p_pdf      => l_source_pdf,
  p_data     => l_json_data,
  pl_flatten => true
);

-- Flatten an existing filled PDF.
l_flat_pdf := pl_acroform.flatten(p_pdf => l_filled_pdf);

The pl_flatten argument defaults to FALSE, so existing fill() calls continue to return an interactive form.

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Example: fill a W-9 form from JSON

This example uses field identifiers from a W-9 AcroForm PDF. The example names and addresses are fictional. The source PDF is assumed to be available in l_source_pdf.

declare
  l_source_pdf blob; -- Load the W-9 PDF from your application.
  l_data       clob;
  l_output_pdf blob;
begin
  l_data := q'~{
    "fields": {
      "topmostSubform[0].Page1[0].f1_01[0]": "Alex Morgan",
      "topmostSubform[0].Page1[0].f1_02[0]": "Example Business LLC",
      "topmostSubform[0].Page1[0].Address_ReadOrder[0].f1_07[0]": "100 Main Street"
    }
  }~';

  l_output_pdf := pl_acroform.fill(
    p_pdf      => l_source_pdf,
    p_data     => l_data,
    p_format   => 'JSON',
    pl_flatten => true
  );

  -- Store or stream l_output_pdf from your application.
  -- Release the returned temporary BLOB after use.
end;
/

Use pl_flatten => FALSE (or omit the argument) if the recipient must continue editing the PDF form.

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One-pass fill and flatten

When flattening is requested as part of fill(), PL/ACROFORM updates the fields and generates the required appearances in a single open PDF document. It then adds the visible appearances as page content and saves the result once, rather than creating an intermediate filled PDF and reopening it.

Built for Oracle application workflows

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Supported scope and important considerations

Supported use cases: AcroForm text fields, checkboxes, radio buttons, choice fields and multi-select values; JSON extraction and filling; static flattening; classic cross-reference tables and cross-reference streams in tested PDFs.

Current limitations: XFA and XFDF processing are not provided. The appearance of unsupported glyphs may depend on the original PDF fonts; missing embedded font programs can lead to reader-dependent substitution. Digitally signed or encrypted PDF inputs require separate handling and should not be assumed supported.

Incremental output: Flattening removes active form controls, but older PDF revisions may remain physically present in the output bytes. It is not a redaction or secure data-removal operation.

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Try PL/ACROFORM

Evaluate PDF form extraction, filling and flattening in your Oracle environment. Request the install kit, the PL/ACROFORM User Guide and the W-9 demo package, or ask about testing in the hosted PL/ sandbox.