Creating your first application using Interactive Forms

Working with Adobe Forms

Basic requirements (for beginners)

The requirements given here are for beginners who can start with SAP NetWeaver 04s, where ADS is installed by default.

Server-side requirements

Follow the steps mentioned below. This includes step-by-step procedures for server-side installation and configuration of the NetWeaver Application Server and Adobe Document Services.

• SAP Netweaver 04s Sneak Preview

• Configure Adobe Document Services
  • Select a security model and configure Web services (Basic Authentication / SSL)

    Basic Authentication: You can go ahead with the Basic Authentication. For this you need not configure anything specific, as they are configured by default with NW04s installation.

  • Install and configure Reader Rights credentials (interactive forms scenario)

    Use the certificate available in the zip file ,which is required by SAP Web AS for assigning usage rights.

    • Installing a PKCS #12 credential
      • Copy the credential file (filename.pfx) to the /usr/sap/<SAPSID>/SYS/global/AdobeDocumentServices/TrustManagerService/trust/credentials directory.
      • Configure the credential attributes:
        • Log onto the Visual Admin
        • On the Cluster tab, choose Server - > Services -> Document Services Configuration.
        • On the Runtime tab, select Credentials.
        • From the Type field, select the type of credential you are configuring (P12 record).
        • In the Alias field, enter the alias 'ReaderRights'.
        • Choose Browse to search for the name of the credential and then Select.
        • In the sha1 field, enter the sha1 value. This value is available in the text file which is found along with the certificate in the zip file.
        • In the password field, enter the password you received along with the credential. In this case, you can enter your own password or the same value in the text file.
        • Confirm the password and click Add.
        The Credential will now be available at the top of the page as a registered credential.
    • Restart the service PDF Manipulation Module for changes to take effect.
      • Log onto Visual Admin.
        
      • On the Cluster tab, choose Server -> Services -> PDF Manipulation Module.
      • Right click and stop the service.
      • Once stopped, right click and start the service.
  • Checking the user and password (optional)

  This is a test for checking whether the entries for the user, security role and passwords are correct in a system that uses Basic Authentication.

  • Enter the following URL in the browser: http://<server>:<port>/AdobeDocumentServices/Config
  • The Web page of the Web service AdobeDocumentServices is displayed. Choose Test.
  • Choose rpdata (test...)
  • Choose the Send button without entering any parameters.
  • Enter the user name and password.
    User Name: ADSUser
    Password: <Your admin password>
  • Choose Submit.
    If the configuration is correct, the system displays the version number in the response area.
  • Configure the ADSUser (optional)

    The ADSUser is configured by default during installation. However, if your application does not work, stating the user does not exist or password is expired, then you can follow the steps below to reconfigure or reset the password for the ADSUser.

    • Log onto Visual Admin.
    • On the Cluster tab, choose Server -> Services - > Security Provider.
    • Choose User Management and then the Tree tab.
    • Select ADSCallers -> ADSUser.
    • In the Authentication area, you have a Password field to enter your new password.
    • In the Authentication area, now select No password change required.
  • Set up Licensing Service.

    If you need to create a new form designs or customize previously developed form designs, then you need to acquire the license. Refer to SAP Note 750784.

    • Log onto Visual Admin.
    • On the Cluster tab, choose Server -> Services - > Document Services License Service.
    • In the Serial number box, enter the license key provided by SAP for Adobe Document Services and click on SET.

Note: Please be aware that without configuring Reader Right Credentials, you will not able to deploy and view the Interactive PDF Form.

Client-side requirements

Follow the steps mentioned below. Please make sure the following prerequisites are met before working with Adobe Interactive Forms.

• NWDS 7.0 / 6.0
• Adobe Live Cycle Designer 7.1 / 7.0
• Adobe Reader 7.0.8 [ Minimum : 7.0.1]

• Adobe Reader 7.0.8 [ Minimum : 7.0.1]
• Active Component Framework (ACF) - SPS 9, SPS 10

Creating applications using Interactive Forms

Interactive Forms - Hands on

Online Interactive PDF Form

• Create a Web Dynpro application.
• Embed an interactive form element to a WebDynpro iview.
• Define Data context for the interactive form.
• Editing the form layout.
• Define actions for the form.
• Deploy and test the application

Offline Interactive PDF Form

• Obtain PDF with Adobe Reader Rights.
• Create a WebDynpro view for form upload.
• Edit the upload view.
• Transfer the uploaded form for display.
• Modifying the Online view to display the uploaded form.
• Deploying and testing the offline scenario.

Dynamic Non-Interactive PDF Form

• Generate a dynamic form within a Web Dynpro application.
• Use the Interactive Form UI Element.
• Lay out a PDF Form.
• Integrate tables into the PDF Form.
• Integrate images into the PDF Form.

Tips on developing SAP Interactive Forms using Adobe

Conclusion

You will now be able to create your first application using Interactive PDF Forms. Hope the blog serves the purpose.

Venkat Ramana is a Technical Analyst for Cognizant Technology Solutions

Want to read more from this author? Click here to read Venkat Ramana's Weblog. Click here to read more about Web Dynpro on SDN.