datepicker-pro – Create a popup datepicker using SWF

One of the (many) deficiencies of Adobe Acrobat Reader/Adobe Acrobat is that they have never supported a proper date picker. This package now supplies one. The \datepicker command creates a readonly text field and a push button to its right. Pressing on the pushbutton brings forth an SWF file displaying a calendar. The user then chooses a date from the calendar, and the date is transferred to the text field.

This is a “pro” application, which, in the jargon of AeB, means that Adobe Distiller is required as the PDF creator. The only drivers supported, as a result, are dvips and dvipsone.

As with all such special features, to experience the datepicker, Adobe Reader or Acrobat are needed. Most other PDF readers do not support form field, rich media annotations, and JavaScript.

This package has become obsolete as of December 2020. Since December 2020, Adobe no longer supports Flash player (SWF, FLV). This package uses a custom SWF file (datepicker3.swf, eg); as a result this package will no longer function in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. The package will continue to produce PDFs as designed, but only if built using Acrobat XI (or a version of Acrobat prior to December 2020) and viewed in Adobe Acrobat Reader XI (or a version of Reader prior to December 2020).

Download the contents of this package in one zip archive (2.5M).