Add text from Switch variable to PDF

[LasseThid]

I'd like to add a text to a pdf, however, the text is stored as private data in Switch.
How can I add the private data to a variable set in order to use it in an action list, or is there another way of doing it?

[r.zegwaard]

You can edit the variable-set from within Switch. When you do that, you can use a "single line with variables". This makes it possible to use the private-data.
To edit to edit the variable-set:
- select the variable-set in Switch
- in the popup, right-click the variable-set
- click "edit"

[LasseThid]

Well, I have partly gotten it to work, but unfortunately the output is not what I want...

I have created a new variable set with one variable called ID with the readable name %ID%. I have exported this variable set and put it on the Switch server.
I created an action list which will add a text, but for some reason I can't choose the variable %ID% when I click on Variable in the Enfocus Action List Editor and if I type %ID% in the Text field that is what I get placed on the pdf, even though I've selected the Variable Set in Switch and edited the %ID% variable to be the Private Data I want placed on the pdf.

I have verified that I have enabled the new variable set in PitStop, but still I don't get the variables from that set when I click on Variable in the Action List Editor. Any ideas why, as I think this is the reason it's not working the way it's supposed to?

[r.zegwaard]

Is the type of the variable %ID% (eg text/length/...) the same as is required in the actionlist?
Pitstop is quite picky when it comes to variable-types...

[LasseThid]

That was my intention and the reason I created my own variable set, however even with my variable set enabled in PitStop I am unable to choose variables from that variable set. I'm gonna look and see if I can find a variable set that is available on my mac and on the Switch server and try to modify one of those variables instead.

The Type is set to Constant and Text in the Variable Set, but in the Switch flow I change it to Text with variables and Text with the Variable Value set to the Private Data I want to place in the pdf.

[Terkelsen]

Hi Lasse,

There is no reason why this shouldn't work. I've done this on several occasions also with costum made variable sets containing only one variable.

The problem is obviously that you are not able to select variables from the set you created. You must have Pitstop Server on the same computer as Switch, so is the variable set available in PitStop Server? If not try to import it to Pitstop Server.

After you have edited the variable set in Switch (to select the private data) if you open the variable set in PitStop Server the variable is marked with a red exclamation mark indicating that it can no longer be edited in Pitstop.

[LasseThid]

I have PitStop Server installed on the Switch server and I have selected the variable set in the PitStop configurator, so that shouldn't be the problem.
I'm leaning more towards the fact that I can't select the variable on my mac when I'm creating the PitStop Action List.
I don't understand why though as it shows up as enabled in PitStop.

[Terkelsen]

Ahh, you won't see the variable you created if you just click the button "Variable". That only shows the prebuilt variables. In the upper right corner of the dialog you should click on "Actions" and choose "Enable variable names".

The attachment Skærmbillede 2018-06-23 kl. 13.57.08.png is no longer available

When you have done that there is a new light blue ikon in the value field. Click that and select the variable set you created and then the variable you want to use.

Skærmbillede 2018-06-23 kl. 13.57.08.png (73.63 KiB) Viewed 20803 times

[LasseThid]

Thanks Terkelsen.
I will give that a try!

[neecerp]

Is it possible to reference external xml in a variable set in ACrobat?
For example we use Switch and we want to create a barcode to be placed on a pdf.

[abailescollins]

You can't do that in PitStop Pro in Acrobat, that will only take manually entered features.

You could do it with PitStop Server in Switch, then you can generate Bar Codes with data from all the normal Switch data sources.

[rgpepper]

Ahh, you won't see the variable you created if you just click the button "Variable". That only shows the prebuilt variables. In the upper right corner of the dialog you should click on "Actions" and choose "Enable variable names".

I have a similar question. The part I'm hung up on is the step right before that where I'm creating my own variable set. I need 2 variables, and the value of those variables will come from a calculation within a Switch flow that includes PitStop Server and an action list referencing this variable set. Problem is, I can't figure out how to create the set to access a Switch value. This pop-up seems useless:. Shouldn't there be some option i.e. "Switch Variable" or some such? I find Enfocus' documentation always at least one step short of actually making a connection with my brain, but in the case of Variable Sets, there's at least 4 steps missing

[loicaigon]

If you want to get value from some metadata from within a Switch flow, you simply need to select the variable set from the PitStop Server Switch app, and edit the variable set there. If you have the Metadata module, you would have access to a "Text With Variables" variable type and there you could pass the value of the metadata.

[rgpepper]

We have the metadata module, but I'm not seeing the "Text With Variables" option. I should say, I see it when in Switch, but are you saying I should be seeing it when in PitStop Server - in the screen shot I included? And further, if I can't define it correctly when *creating* it to begin with, in PitStop Server, how will I ever be able to select it in the configurator in Switch?

[JimmyHartington]

Hi rgpepper

I have struggled with this as well.

My solution between Pitstop Pro on macOS and Switch with Pitstop Server on Windows has been to create a variable set database located on a shared network volume.

Then create the variable set and action list in Pitstop Pro.
Create a flow in Switch. Setup the Pitstop configurator to use the action list and shared variable set. Edit the variable set through the configurator in Switch and change the variable to use metadata from Switch.

I have made this short video (4 min.) which shows the process from creating a variable set and action list to execute it with metadata from Switch.
In this case it was just 3 private data keys set on a folder.
https://d.pr/v/HjFwMM