16 Replies Latest reply: Oct 28, 2014 6:57 PM by hcase@casadecase.com

Acrobat XI fillable forms on iPad and Android with Reader?

AllenFreeman Jan 29, 2014 9:19 AM

Using Acrobat Pro XI to create Reader Extended forms with fillable fields for saved data within, is there any special save/setup/export required to make these forms fillable and savable using Reader on an iPad or Android mobile?

(I have an Android phone with the Adobe Reader app installed, and when I view a fillable PDF form that works perfectly on my laptop with Reader, I cannot even click into a field on the phone...)

1. Re: Acrobat XI fillable forms on iPad and Android with Reader?

George Johnson Jan 29, 2014 10:54 AM (in response to AllenFreeman)

You don't need to do anything special, though I don't know why it's not working on your phone. Just make sure it's actually being opened in Reader and not some other PDF viewer.
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
2. Re: Acrobat XI fillable forms on iPad and Android with Reader?

AllenFreeman Jan 29, 2014 11:02 AM (in response to George Johnson)

I am certainly using Reader; I'm using specifically-downloaded Adobe Reader apps on both my Android phone and on my iPad.

The result is identical in both cases: I can't place the cursor within a field, I can't make an action button of NEXT> go to the next page, I can't get a PRINT button to launch a print window, etc.

It's as if forms aren't forms at all, but 'flat' PDFs -- even though the exact same PDF works perfectly with Reader on a Windows laptop...
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
3. Re: Acrobat XI fillable forms on iPad and Android with Reader?

AllenFreeman Jan 29, 2014 11:04 AM (in response to AllenFreeman)

(Removing the PDF from opening within any type of 'browser' or other display window was the first issue I removed from the consideration set.)
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
4. Re: Acrobat XI fillable forms on iPad and Android with Reader?

AllenFreeman Jan 29, 2014 11:28 AM (in response to AllenFreeman)

I found this post that uses FormsCentral:

http://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/how-to-create-pdf-forms-for-use-on-mobile-devices

This process does make the form fields themselves work as expected, but not any of the button functions created in Acrobat Pro XI...
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
5. Re: Acrobat XI fillable forms on iPad and Android with Reader?

George Johnson Jan 29, 2014 11:32 AM (in response to AllenFreeman)

It is true that certain actions are not supported (as you've found), but the fields should be fillable.
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
6. Re: Acrobat XI fillable forms on iPad and Android with Reader?

AllenFreeman Jan 29, 2014 11:41 AM (in response to George Johnson)

George, no offense but replies of 'could be' and 'should be' are of no value -- especially when I am certain the fields are not working as they 'could be' or 'should be'.
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
7. Re: Acrobat XI fillable forms on iPad and Android with Reader?

George Johnson Jan 29, 2014 11:48 AM (in response to AllenFreeman)

It would help if I could look at a file that doesn't work for you, but I can only test on an iOS device. If you can't post one online somewhere and provide a link, I'd be happy to take a look at a sample if you want to email one to me: acroscript at gmail dot com
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
8. Re: Acrobat XI fillable forms on iPad and Android with Reader?

AllenFreeman Jan 29, 2014 11:52 AM (in response to George Johnson)

Thank you, will email you the original and 'FormsCentral' versions momentarily!
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
9. Re: Acrobat XI fillable forms on iPad and Android with Reader?

AllenFreeman Jan 29, 2014 12:03 PM (in response to AllenFreeman)

What is also interesting is that the 'checkbox' form field DOES work (and posts content to another text field as it was set up to do) on the converted FormsCentral PDF on both iPad and Android...
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
10. Re: Acrobat XI fillable forms on iPad and Android with Reader?

George Johnson Jan 29, 2014 3:41 PM (in response to AllenFreeman)

It turns out that the problem was that the file had security applied so that changes were disallowed, though form filling was allowed. This is fine for forms when using the desktop versions of Reader, but the mobile versions can't handle this yet. So the fix is to simply Reader-enable the forms and not use any security restrictions if it needs to work with mobile Reader.

Also, regarding navigation buttons, if you use "Go to a page view" type actions for buttons, they will work on mobile versions of Reader, unlike "execute menu item" type actions or JavaScript (e.g., pageNum = 1). The trick on a mobile device is to tap the button, and not hold it down and then release.
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
11. Re: Acrobat XI fillable forms on iPad and Android with Reader?

AllenFreeman Jan 29, 2014 3:53 PM (in response to George Johnson)

Thanks George!

It's truly disappointing that Adobe would consider 'remove all document security' as an acceptable way to get a PDF form to work fully on mobile.

Pretty shocking, actually.

Let's hope Adobe provides a real solution to a very obvious issue quickly.
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
12. Re: Acrobat XI fillable forms on iPad and Android with Reader?

George Johnson Jan 29, 2014 5:21 PM (in response to AllenFreeman)

It is disappointing. Other forms-capable PDF viewers (on iOS at least) work fine when security restrictions are applied.

I also wanted to clarify something I wrote earlier. Forms used on mobile devices to not need to be Reader-enabled in order for them to be saved, but this is necessary for users with desktop versions (Win/Mac) prior to version 11, so it's usually a good idea to Reader-enable them.
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
13. Re: Acrobat XI fillable forms on iPad and Android with Reader?

AllenFreeman Jan 29, 2014 5:13 PM (in response to George Johnson)

Yes, now I see that running the form through FormsCentral as instructed in the infographic I linked to above merely made the PDF unsecured, and that's why the forms fields worked.

So using FormsCentral for this issue is not a solution.
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
14. Re: Acrobat XI fillable forms on iPad and Android with Reader?

AllenFreeman Jan 29, 2014 5:17 PM (in response to AllenFreeman)

And just so people reading this post might understand exactly what George is referencing in regards to nav buttons for mobile in Reply 10 above, those settings can be reconfigured under Forms>Edit, then double-click the button in question to get the Properties window to appear, and then change the settings under the Actions tab.
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
15. Re: Acrobat XI fillable forms on iPad and Android with Reader?

knowclue Jun 2, 2014 7:23 AM (in response to AllenFreeman)

I have a form which I cannot get to work on the android phone is there any way if I emailed to someone they could have a look for me. Not to clued up on these issues.
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
16. Re: Acrobat XI fillable forms on iPad and Android with Reader?

hcase@casadecase.com Oct 28, 2014 6:57 PM (in response to AllenFreeman)

OK, I think you answered my post here: secure form on mobile Acrobat reader can't enter fields
So as I understand you: the Secure Form filling of form fields on mobile Acrobat Reader is NOT supported.

This is terrible! The probelm for us is not that the user can cange the form, but USABILITY. When trying to get fat fingers into the fill fileds you often hit the other "fileds" - the text on the form and it is really hard to get to the fill items.

So the message that announces "All Adobe products enforce the restrictions set ty the Permissions Password......" Is true EXCEPT for mobile Reader!

Any word from Adobe on support this feature anytime soon.
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions