Add debug JavaScript

The JavaScript debugger in Acrobat lets you review your code line by line, set breakpoints, and inspect variables using the debugger dialog.

To enable JavaScript Debugger, go to Edit > Preferences > JavaScript, and then select the Enable JavaScript debugger after Acrobat is restarted option.

To start the debugger, choose Tools > JavaScript > Debugger.

Manage Document JavaScript

You can use the Document JavaScript dialog box to add, edit, or delete scripts in your current document.  

To open the dialog box, choose Tools > JavaScript > Document JavaScript.

JavaScript Editor

You can use the JavaScript Editor to create and edit scripts.

To open the editor, choose Tools > JavaScript > All JavaScripts.

Document actions and JavaScript

You can associate a particular JavaScript to a specific document action. When the action is triggered, the script executes.

To open the Document Actions dialog, choose Tools > JavaScript > Document Actions.

Select an action and then click Edit to add the script to the action.

Customize PDFs using JavaScript

One of the easiest and most powerful ways to customize PDF files is by using JavaScript. Based on JavaScript version 1.5 of ISO-16262 (formerly known as ECMAScript), JavaScript in Adobe Acrobat software implements objects, methods, and properties that enable you to manipulate PDF files, produce database-driven PDF files, modify the appearance of PDF files, and much more. You can tie Acrobat JavaScript code to a specific PDF document, a page, field, or button within that document, or a field or button within the PDF file, and even to a user action.

JavaScript is useful for XML forms. JavaScript enables automated forms handling, Web and database communication, commenting, and user-interface capabilities. PDF files created with Acrobat and Adobe LiveCycle tools allow data to be extracted as XML into custom schemas. Applications written in Java and other languages easily integrate Acrobat with web services using Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP).

For more information, see Developing Acrobat applications using JavaScript.