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Text Field Problems

Aug 9, 2012 9:42 AM

Categories: Windows Tags: #acrobat_10_pro

Subject: Creating a form for user input.

 

The text field allows the user to type in more information than the visible portion of the text field. I see where I can limit the number of characters however this is not a good option. Depending on the character or if it is capitalized the total length of the string will change where some text will be hidden or leave too much space before the end. How can the text field stop the user from adding more text when reaching the end?

 

Another question:

My form asks a question where the answer starts on the same line and then continues below. The text field below is much wider (width of the page) where I can't find the option of an odd shape text field to accommodate this. So far I will place a text field on the short line and add another text field on the line below. I can't find where the two text fields can be joined and the text cascade from one to the other.

 

My impressioin:

So far I am not very impressed with the from option as the text fields cannot be sized through the properties.

 

You cannot change the text box that the form adds to a check box without deleting the text field and creating a check box. Additionally if you copy and paste a check box multiple times it creates a new check box that is connected to the original. You have to rename each check box otherwise if the user selects a check box all check boxes that was copied and paste will receive a check.

 

Similarly if you copy a text field and paste into the form without renaming the field anything you type into the first text field will automatically be shown in all text fields that were paste into the form.

 

The text box height does not resize when selecting a font size. You have to go out of edit and type into the text field to see if the  complete font will be shown or there is too much extra space.

 

There has to be a better form making software available. Can anyone provide information towards other software that may be more suitable and eliminate the issues pointed out above?

 

Thanks for your help

3533 Views   2 Replies   Latest reply: PLangland, Sep 5, 2012 3:53 PM
 
Replies
  • MarkWalsh
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    1. MarkWalsh,
    Aug 9, 2012 10:47 AM   in reply to Photo_Timer
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    To prevent the user from entering text beyond the size of the field - set the font's size to anything other than 'Auto', and uncheck the 'Scroll long text' and 'Multiline' checkboxes in the 'Options' tab. If you need multiline text, the text will always scroll. Setting the size to 'Auto' will reduce the text to fit the box (it will fit to one line if multiline is off, or to the entire box if multiline is on)

     

    Most of your complaints I don't agree with. Why should the field resize when you change the font size? That's up to you to decide the size/position/properties of the field. You do have the ability to select multiple fields and set them to the same height/width/both.

     

    And copy pasting a field shares the same value, that's a good thing. That allows you to show the same information in multiple areas easily. You need to change the field's name if you want to have a different value (shouldn't the field's name be different if the value it represents is different?).

     

    There is an alternative to Acrobat PDF forms, you can use Adobe Livecycle to create dynamic PDF forms. It is much more advanced (you can create dynamic fields which change size, can be added as line items, and much more). It's also a much larger learning curve.

     

    If you think using Acrobats form features a problem, try creating a form in Microsoft Word.

     
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  • PLangland
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    2. PLangland,
    Sep 5, 2012 3:53 PM   in reply to Photo_Timer
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    Adobe really needs to update the flexibility of the tools for creating Acrobat forms. When converted a pdf to a form (Mac), all the small boxes are automatically converted to text fields—no matter how the boxes were created in my original layout. To manually convert them takes a major amount of time and seems ridiculous that Adobe cannot find a way to allow the empty form fields to be changed between text, check box, etc! At least give some way of re-setting the preferences so when the form fields are automatically created they could be user definable as to what type. To expect someone to have to go through a long form with a large amount of form fields and individually change each one is not a solution. I f we have to do that, why is there not a step-and-repeat function so that we do not have to place each one by eye!

     
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