adobe pdf forms convert to PowerApps form

[leung2019]

Our adobe pdf forms with many content and columns, we want to replace them with PowerApps forms and store them in SharePoint Online. Just wondering, is there a way to convert adobe pdf forms ( its content and columns) to PowerApps form? Thanks

[poweractivate · Accepted solution]

@leung2019 

It should not be too difficult to just go ahead and model your data source yourself to match those columns, add the data source to the Canvas App, and then insert your form in the Canvas App .

There is probably not really a specifically automated solution out there in the particular way you have in mind out there at this time to directly parse an Adobe PDF and convert it to Power Apps form. The reason for this is likely because a Power Apps form is more than just the conversion of the PDF to a "form" - it also consists of a live connection to a "data source" - which means it involves modeling on the data store side as well. On the other hand, if someone else on this forum is aware of such a solution, please chime in here.

However, in case you were interested in such a solution, please provide the following information:

1) Which data source would you be using in this case?

2) What is a pattern of the PDF? Could you provide two or three different PDF's with sample, fake information with just a few columns and what they should look like and then what should they come in converted as with screenshot of the corresponding sample fake/mock Power Apps Form in Canvas App?

3) If it were a little bit less difficult to have this automated solution do it where instead of a Data Source, the conversion came in as just the Power Apps Form and Mock Collections only, would you still be interested in it? Note that if it were done this way, the mock Collections would be "stub" and likely need to be replaced with a Data Source created manually just like you would without the solution, the only thing it would do is slightly guide you only.

4) Let's suppose it was Dataverse that was the data source in #1. Would the solution need to also create all the Tables and Columns for you automatically as well in the underlying data source, and then also to hook this data source into the app and then also create the form and select the correct columns? Or, would the columns have to be created first manually in the way you were thinking in the data source, and those provided in the PDF must simply match one of columns in an existing Table?

5) If #4 above is that it must create the columns, does it have to support to create Tables for you automatically as well and also create all the relationships between Tables for you as well without any manual intervention at all? Even if it doesn't, does it have to be able to know about such existing relationship and if so, how would this be indicated exactly or inferred upon from the provided PDF?

6) In your mind. does the concept of #5 above have to apply to the solution even if it were modeled in mock "stub" local collections only? (which means, it would have to be so smart as to make multiple inline Collections, and have fields where one corresponds to the other and imitate a 1:N or N:1 relationship).

There are many considerations about such a solution, the above just being part of it, and in most cases, just modeling that data yourself would take much less time and result in a much more optimized, customized, and much more correct experience for you compared to using even a sophisticated solution that automated this. One reason for this could be because the expression in the static format of the Tables, columns and possibly relationships, from the automated solution must be reverse-engineered and inferred / derived upon to create a back-end data store. Your original question implies this one way or another, whether you are aware of it or not. This conversion to a data model by this kind of inference, may actually result in a sub-optimal or even incorrect model at the data store level.

So for this reason, and for all the other reasons above - even if such a solution were to exist, I would actually recommend that if possible,  you were to not use it at all for most production scenarios.

In the case that there is very strong interest about this kind of solution nonetheless, please check about the questions above as it may help advise you on a potential solution to this in the specific way you want - though note, that solution may end up being quite complex. To create such a solution would likely be a somewhat large undertaking, the questions above are intended to clarify the specific scope and usage of the solution you have in mind for this sort of endeavor.

[leung2019]

Really appreciated your reply dynamicsedge, thank you very much. 

1. Basically it is a adobe application form  4 pages it is very similar as the real estate purchase house agreement form. It has 6 sections each section has different input, total around 100+ fields on form. Now my boss want to digitize this adobe form and collect all the data from the from to SharePoint list in case later will use it. 

The most important need interface similar design as current adobe form. 

2. The form has table design, for example, one section has 2 column, another section has 3 column, another section has 1 column. I checked the Powerapp form, for one data gallery only allow setup same columns. is that a way I can setup one section 1 column, another section 2 columns for the same data gallary/datasource in this powerapp form?

3. Inside this applications PowerApps form, it does want to input many relationship detail. since it is dynamic, so I put this into different SharePoint list,  how can I insert this input table from another SharePoint list inside the data gallery? is that possible? It need input not read only.  Alternative way, I am thinking about put a link open a new window to input and refresh back readonly 1-many table? 

4. The form has 4 pages, and I need make it printable, so have to page them into 4 pages, if create 4 screens with 4 data gallery, when user submit, can it cause issues for submission? 

5. After submit the powerapp need be save it as pdf, is that possible to save to pdf for this big size 4 pages over 100 fields and have relationship detail table powerapp? 

6. This form need docuSign after all the initial reviewed. 

I am really wondering for this kind of complicated digitization adobe form what is best solution to do it? 

1. Solution 1: Instead of customized as PowerApp form, can we submit the adobe form and extra the data to SharePoint list? It that possible, I knew adobe form can extra to excel.  my image for this upload fillable adobe template to SharePoint document library, user filled and save it. how to extra data out at this moment? 

2. Design PowerApp form need be very close to adobe current form with above requirement in my description? 

3. customized solution as SharePoint framework? I have no experience for this too.

Now I am really appreciated for advice for direction now. 

[leung2019]

Any thought?

[WarrenBelz]

@leung2019 ,

Have a look at Part 3 of this video from @RandyHayes - this may suit your model overlaying the form with Power Apps fields and storing the data in SharePoint.

Please click Accept as solution if my post helped you solve your issue. This will help others find it more readily. It also closes the item. If the content was useful in other ways, please consider giving it Thumbs Up.

[RandyHayes]

@leung2019  Definitely take a look at the video that @WarrenBelz mentioned.  I believe you will find it as a very easy way to do highly custom forms in PowerApps without all the hassle.

[MDado]

@leung2019 Hello,

@RandyHayes 

I have exact similar PDF form. My boss asked me to change it to electronic and store data in SharePoint. The pdf form fields have automation and interact with other fields. It has required fields which changes depending on options selected in the form. The form has out filled functionality based on the selected field.

@leung2019 How did you solve your problem? Did power apps work in your situation?
Randy, is it possible to replace this much complicated forms with PowerApps?

Thank you.

[jazucco]

I was curious about the possible solution here, but there is no link to the video. Just a link to your profile page and I am not seeing the video readily on that page.

[MLCarter1976]

@jazucco I am glad you mentioned NO video, I don't know what happened to it, yet I looked and saw "nothing."  I am assuming nothing has been updated / worked on.  I don't know if you found anything.  I can recreate the process, yet for me, with maybe 75 items or so, it is a LOT to create say a checkbox that will be a radio / yes / no button for people to click in SharePoint Online to then make a Power Apps app.