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Options tab for form field properties
The options available on this tab change according to the type of form field selected. The Options tab appears for all
form field types except digital signatures.
Barcode
The Options tab for barcode field properties contains the following:
Symbology
Includes the PDF417, QR Code, and Data Matrix barcode types.
Note: If your organization processes forms by multiple methods, select the method that accommodates the lowest quality
barcode images. For example, if forms will be returned by fax and mail, choose Fax Server as the decode condition to
ensure high read rates on all forms.
Compress Data Before Encoding To Barcode
Specifies that data will be compressed before it is encoded. Data is
compressed with the Flate compression method. Compressed data usually requires less storage space in the barcode,
allowing more data to be stored. In general, select this option if you will use the Acrobat barcode forms decoder to
interpret the returned data. Do not select this option if you will use a handheld barcode scanner, because most of these
cannot decode compressed data.
Decode Condition
The preset decode conditions represent recommended starting points that you can adjust by
clicking the Custom button.
Custom
Opens a dialog box in which you can select custom processing parameters that are best for your specific
scanning and faxing hardware. (The available options vary according to barcode types.)
•
X Dimension
Width, in mils (1 mil = 0.001 inch or 0.0254mm), of the cell.
•
Y/X Ratio
Height/width ratio of the cell. For example, for a data cell that is twice as high as it is wide, enter 2.
(Available only for PDF417 barcodes.)
Note: If you are planning to decode the barcode using a handheld laser scanner, avoid creating barcodes wider than 4
inches (10.2 cm). Taller and narrower barcodes generally work better with handheld scanners. Barcode height and width
will not be an issue if you are using an Adobe barcode decoder (available separately).
•
Error Correction Level
Corresponds to the level of data redundancy that is added to the barcode to correct any
potential decoding errors. Higher levels provide more redundancy and a more robust barcode that will generate more
successful decode results. However, higher levels will also result in a larger barcode and a reduced ability to encode
user-supplied or form structure data into the barcode. A more robust barcode can reduce problems created by pen
marks, poor print quality, degradation caused by fax transmission, or folds in the document. This option is available
for PDF417 and QR Code barcodes.
Manage Barcode Parameters
Enables you to save your custom barcode selections in a file. You can then export the file
and make it available to other form authors in your organization.
Check boxes
Check Box Style
Specifies the shape of the marker that appears inside the check box when the user selects it: Check (the
default), Circle, Cross, Diamond, Square, or Star. This property does not alter the shape of the check box itself.
Note: The size of the marker inside the check box is determined by the size of the font you specify in the Appearance tab.
Export Value
Specifies a value to represent the item if the data will be exported. If left blank, the entry for Name in the
General tab is used as the export value.
Check Box Is Checked By Default
Shows the check box selected unless the user deselects it.
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Dropdown and list box
For either dropdown boxes or list boxes, you use the Options tab to create a list of items from which the user selects.
Although most of the properties on this tab are common to both these types of form fields, a few are exclusive to one
type or the other.
Item
Accepts the text that you type for options that you want to appear in the menu for the field.
Add
Moves the current entry in Item to the Item List.
Export Value
Where you type in a value to represent the item if the data will be exported. If left blank, the entry for
Name in the General tab is used as the export value.
Item List
Displays the choices that will be available in the list.
Note: The highlighted item in the Item List box appears as the default selected item in the dropdown box or list box field.
To change the default item, highlight another item from the list.
Up and Down buttons
Change the order in which the items are listed in the dropdown list. These buttons are not
available if Sort Items is selected.
Delete
Removes the selected item from the list.
Sort Items
Arranges the listed items numerically and alphabetically. A numerical sort (if applicable) is performed
before an alphabetical sort.
Allow User To Enter Custom Text
(Dropdown only) Enables users to enter a value other than the ones in the list.
Check Spelling
(Dropdown only) Checks the spelling of user-entered text. This option is applicable only if Allow User
To Enter Custom Text is selected.
Multiple Selection
(List boxes only) Enables users to choose more than one item in the list.
Commit Selected Value Immediately
Saves the value as soon as the user selects it. If this option is not selected, the value
is saved only when the user tabs out of the current field or clicks another form field. For list boxes only, this option is
not available if Multiple Selection is selected.
Radio buttons
Create a group of radio buttons if you want the user to select only one choice among a set of choices. All of the radio
buttons in a group share the same Name but each button has a different Button Value.
Button Style
Specifies the shape of the marker that appears inside the button when the user selects it: Check, Circle
(the default), Cross, Diamond, Square, or Star. This property does not alter the shape of the radio button itself.
Radio Button Choice
Identifies the radio button and differentiates it from other radio buttons that share the same
Name value.
Button Is Checked By Default
Sets the selection state of the button when the user first opens the form.
Buttons With The Same Name And Content Are Selected In Unison
Allows single-click selection of multiple related
radio buttons. For example, if the user selects a radio button that has the same field name and selected content as
another, both radio buttons are selected.
Text Fields
Text fields accept user input, which can be alphabetic characters, numbers, or both.
Alignment
Aligns the text left, right, or center within the field.
Default Value
Specifies the text that appears until the user overwrites it by typing in the field. Enter the default value
by typing in this option.
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Multi-line
Allows more than a single-line entry in the text field.
Scroll Long Text
Compensates for text that extends beyond the boundaries of the text field.
Allow Rich Text Formatting
Allows users to apply styling information to the text, such as bold or italic. This might be
useful in certain text fields where such styling information is important to the meaning of the text, such as an essay.
Limit Of Characters
Allows entries of up to the number of characters you specify.
Note: If you entered a default value, that value is clipped to this limit.
Password
Displays the user-entered text as a series of asterisks (*). This option is available only if Check Spelling is
deselected.
Field Is Used For File Selection
Allows the user to enter a file path as the field’s value when a file is submitted along
with the form. This option is available only when Scroll Long Text is the only selected option in the Options tab.
Check Spelling
Checks the spelling of user-entered text.
Comb Of Characters
Spreads the user-entered text evenly across the width of the text field. If a border color is specified
in the Appearance tab, each character entered in the field is separated by lines of that color. This option is available
only when no other check box is selected.
Text fields with and without the Comb property
A. Four text fields with a border color, using the Comb property B. Text field without the Comb property
Actions tab for form field properties
Actions properties specify any actions that you want to associate with the form field, such as jumping to a specific page
or playing a media clip. The Actions tab appears for all types of form fields and includes the following options:
Select Trigger
Specifies the user action that initiates an action: Mouse Up, Mouse Down, Mouse Enter, Mouse Exit,
On Focus, or On Blur.
Select Action
Specifies the event that occurs when the user triggers the action: Execute A Menu Item, Go To A
3D/Multimedia View, Go To A Page View; Import Form Data, Multimedia Operation (Acrobat 9 and later), Open A
File, Open A Web Link, Play A Sound, Play Media (Acrobat 5 Compatible), Play Media (Acrobat 6 And Later
Compatible), Read An Article, Reset A Form, Run A JavaScript, Set Layer Visibility, Show/Hide A Field, and Submit
A Form.
Add
Opens a window for the selected action.
Actions
Displays the list of triggers and actions that you’ve defined.
Up and down buttons
Change the order in which the selected action appears listed under the trigger. (Available only
when you have defined multiple actions for the same trigger.)
Edit
Opens a dialog box with specific options for the selected action.
Delete
Removes the selected action or trigger-action pair.
A
B
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Calculate tab for form field properties
The Calculate tab appears in the Properties dialog boxes for only text fields and dropdown boxes. Use these options to
perform mathematical operations on existing form field entries and display the result.
Value Is Not Calculated
Select this if you want the user to type.
Value Is The
Select this to make further options available:
•
Pop-up menu
Lists the mathematical functions to apply to the selected fields. Choose Sum to add the values entered
in the selected fields, Product to multiply them, Average, Minimum, or Maximum.
•
Pick
Opens a dialog box with a list of the available fields in the form that you select to add or deselect to remove
from the calculation.
Simplified Field Notation
Uses JavaScript with field names and simple arithmetic signs. The Edit button opens a dialog
box in which you can write, edit, and add scripts.
Note: Field names are case-sensitive.
Custom Calculation Script
Displays any custom scripts you have added for calculations. The Edit button opens a dialog
box in which you can write and add new JavaScripts.
Set the calculation order of form fields
When you define two or more calculations in a form, the order in which they are carried out is the order in which you
defined the calculations. In some cases, you may need to modify the calculation order to obtain correct results.
For example, if you wanted to use the result obtained from calculating two form fields to calculate the value of a third
form field, the first two form fields must be calculated together first to obtain the correct final results.
1 Choose Forms > Tasks > Other Tasks > Edit Fields > Set Field Calculation Order.
The Calculate Fields dialog box displays all calculable fields in your form and the order in which the calculations are
performed.
2 To change the field calculation order, select the field from the list, and then click the Up or Down button as needed.
Acrobat automatically performs all assigned field calculations when you are creating and testing your form fields. For
convenience while you work, you can turn off automatic calculation in the forms preferences.
Signed tab for form field properties
The Signed tab is available only in the Digital Signature Properties dialog box. Selections made here determine what
happens when the user applies a digital signature to the form.
Nothing Happens When Signed
This is the default.
Mark As Read-Only
Prevents further changes to the digitally signed form, according to the selection in the pop-up menu:
•
All Fields
Prevents any changes to any form field.
•
All Fields Except These
Allows changes only to the form fields you select by clicking the Pick button and selecting
check boxes for the fields that you want the user to be able to edit after signing.
•
Just These Fields
Prevents changes in only the form fields you pick.
This Script Executes When Field Is Signed
Activates a custom JavaScript when the user digitally signs the form. Use the
Edit button to change or create a new JavaScript action.
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More Help topics
“Adding JavaScript to forms” on page 179
Format tab for form field properties
The Format tab appears in the Properties dialog box for only text form fields or dropdown form fields. The options
that are available depend on your selection in the Select Format Category pop-up menu.
The Example of Current Format field displays a live preview of the settings.
None
No additional options are available. The input in a text or dropdown box with this property does not require any
specific formatting.
Number
Automatically imposes the selected formatting options on numeric data entries.
Decimal Places
Sets the number of digits that appear to the right of the decimal point.
Separator Style
Sets the placement of commas and periods.
Currency Symbol
Sets the type of currency, such as Euros, Dollars, or Yen.
Symbol Location
Sets the location of the currency symbol in relation to the number. This field is enabled if a currency
symbol is selected.
Negative Number Style
Sets how negative numbers are displayed. You can choose Show Parentheses, Use Red Text,
neither, or both.
Percentage
Automatically imposes the selected formatting options on numeric data expressed as a percentage.
Decimal Places
Sets the number of digits that appear to the right of the decimal point
Separator Style
Sets the placement of commas and periods.
Date
List includes one-, two-, and four-digit variations where d stands for the day, m stands for month, and y stands for year.
Time
List includes display variations where h stands for the hour on a 12-hour clock, H stands for the hour on a 24-hour
clock, MM stands for minutes, ss stands for the seconds, and tt stands for AM or PM.
Special
Zip Code
For a five-digit U.S. postal code.
Zip Code + 4
For a nine-digit U.S. postal code.
Phone Number
For a ten-digit telephone number.
Social Security Number
For a nine-digit U.S. Social Security Number. Hyphens are inserted automatically after the
third and fifth digits.
Documents you may be interested
Documents you may be interested
