Import annotations and form fields into PDFs with Instant JSON using Zapier and the Nutrient API

What is Zapier?

Zapier is a no-code automation tool that connects your apps and services. With “Zaps,” you can automate tasks such as annotating PDFs, generating contracts, and handling form data — all without writing a single line of code.

What is the Nutrient API?

Nutrient Document Web Services API allows powerful document workflows like conversion, form generation, OCR, and redaction. With your free account, you get 100 credits to try all tools.

What is Instant JSON?

Instant JSON is a structured format used to describe annotations, form fields, and even values inside a PDF. With this API, you can dynamically apply structured data to your PDF files in seconds.

What you’ll need

• A Zapier account (a pro plan is necessary for multi-step Zaps)

• A Google Drive account

• A PDF file and a JSON file with annotation or form structure uploaded to Google Drive

• A Nutrient API key — sign up here

Step 1 — Trigger a new file in a Google Drive folder

1. Select Google Drive as the trigger app.

2. Choose the New File in Folder event.

3. Connect your Google Drive account and choose the folder that will receive your PDF files.

4. Test this step with a sample PDF file.

Step 2 — Find a matching Instant JSON file in Google Drive

1. Add Google Drive > Find a File as a new step.

2. Configure the fields:

   • Filename — Enter the name of the JSON file you want to match (e.g. annotations.json).

   • Search Type — Select Filename contains.

   • Drive — Select My Drive.

3. Test this step to ensure Zapier finds the file.

Step 3 — Import JSON to PDF (Nutrient API)

1. Select Nutrient Document Web Services API as the action app.

2. Choose the Import JSON to PDF action.

3. Connect your Nutrient API account using your API key.

You can get your API key from the Nutrient dashboard.

4. Configure the fields:

   • PDF File URL — Use the PDF file from step 1.

• JSON File — Use the output from step 2.

• Output File Name — Optional (e.g. annotated_contract.pdf)

You can use our sample document (annotations.pdf) and sample Instant JSON file (annotations.json) for testing this step.

5. Test the step to verify the PDF is correctly updated with imported annotations and/or fields.

Step 4 — Upload the annotated PDF to Google Drive

1. Add another action: Google Drive > Upload File.

2. Select your drive and target folder (e.g. annotated-outputs).

3. In the File field, use the PDF output from the Nutrient step.

4. Test to ensure the PDF uploads correctly.

Conclusion

You’ve just built a fully automated workflow that imports annotations and form fields into a PDF using Instant JSON and Nutrient’s API on Zapier. This is great for prefilling fields, applying saved markups, or generating consistent document templates at scale.

Want to go further? Combine this with digital signing, OCR, or flattening for secure, validated PDF workflows.