---
title: "Import and export PDF annotations effectively"
canonical_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/react-native/annotations/import-and-export/xfdf/"
md_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/react-native/annotations/import-and-export/xfdf.md"
last_updated: "2026-05-23T00:08:18.143Z"
description: "Learn how to import and export annotations using XFDF files in React Native for efficient PDF document management."
---

# Import and export XFDF annotations in React Native

XFDF is an XML-based standard from Adobe [XFDF (ISO 19444-1:2016)](https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:19444:-1:ed-1:v1:en) for encoding annotations and form field values. An XFDF file will contain a snapshot of a PDF document’s annotations and form field values. It doesn’t include the form elements or the form fields themselves — only the filled values. It’s compatible with Adobe Acrobat and several other third-party frameworks.

XFDF has various limitations. In most cases, using [Nutrient Instant](/guides/react-native/instant-synchronization.md) will result in a smaller file and better synchronization.

Nutrient React Native SDK supports both reading and writing XFDF.

## Importing XFDF

You can import annotations and form field values from an XFDF file to a document like so:

```typescript

// Reference the XFDF file from the application's documents directory.
const xfdfImport =
	Platform.OS === 'ios'? RNFS.DocumentDirectoryPath + '/' + 'import.xfdf'
		: 'file://' + RNFS.DocumentDirectoryPath + '/' + 'import.xfdf';

const result = await this.pdfRef.current?.getDocument().importXFDF(xfdfImport);

```

## Exporting to XFDF

You can export annotations and form field values from a document to an XFDF file like so:

```typescript

// Get a temporary location on the file system with write access to store the exported file.
const xfdfOutput = RNFS.TemporaryDirectoryPath + '/test.xfdf';

const result = await this.pdfRef.current?.getDocument().exportXFDF(xfdfOutput);

```

Refer to the [`XFDF.tsx` example](https://github.com/PSPDFKit/react-native/tree/master/samples/Catalog/examples/XFDF.tsx) in the [Catalog example project](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/react-native/prebuilt-solutions/example-projects.md#pspdfkit-catalog) for a runnable example.

## Exporting annotations to XFDF via Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat can export annotations into XFDF. The export menu is part of the **Comment** tool and is accessed by opening the tool in the sidebar.

You can access the export function by clicking the three dots and choosing **Export All To Data File...**.

1. At the bottom of the page, choose **Acrobat XFDF Files**.

2. Select the directory you wish to save the XFDF file to and name the file.

3. Click **Save**.

A successful export will result in a file with an `.xfdf` extension.

## Importing annotations to XFDF via Adobe Acrobat

The export function is part of the **Comment** tool and is accessed by clicking its icon.

Click the three dots to open the import menu, and then click **Import Data File...**.

Highlight the XFDF file you wish to import and click **Select**.

The import function completes with the annotations being placed on the document.

## Adobe Acrobat error conditions

| Error Description               | Screenshot                                                                                                                                                      |
| ------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Damaged/missing document body   |                   |
| Damaged/missing description tag |                   |
| Missing document flag           |  |
---

## Related pages

- [Import and export annotations in React Native](/guides/react-native/annotations/import-and-export/instant-json.md)