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This tool will automatically add form fields to your document and your PDF will be open in Form Editing Mode. One thing to keep in mind is that the tool will only create text box form fields. If you only use form fields for typing in text, that is okay, but if you need to create check boxes, or dates, or other complex form fields, you will need to make those manually. Field Names and Tooltips are also added automatically, but you may want to edit them.

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Section 7.5: Editing and Swapping Form Fields

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  1. Double click on your form field.

  2. In the Text Field Properties box, go to the General Tab. Type in your Tooltip in the Tooltip box.

    The tooltip highlighted in a black box that says Enter your 5 digit zip code.Image Modified

Marking Fields as Required

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  1. Double Click on your form field.

  2. In the Text Field Properties box, go to the General tab and check the Required Box.

    The Required box is highlighted with a black box.Image Modified
  3. When you click on the Close button, your form field will turn red. That means it is required. However, people who are color blind or have low vision may miss this queue.

    The Zip Code box is colored red.Image Modified
  4. If all fields in the form are required, you should note this in the instructions at the top of the PDF. If certain fields are required, mark them with an asterisk or the word (Required) in parenthesis within the visible field label. Also, include a note in the instructions like “All fields with an asterisk are required.” Then for screen reader users, you should include the word (Required) in the tooltip.

    A warning that says All fields are required in parenthesis.Image Modified

Text Field

Text fields allow users to type in text like addresses, phone number, and names.

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  1. Double click on the Social Security Number field to open the Properties box.

    Social Security Number Form Field Box.pngImage Added
  2. Go to the Format Tab. In the Select Format Category dropdown menu, click Special. In the Special Options List, click on Social Security Number.

    Text Field Properties Format Tab.pngImage Added
  3. Go to the Validate Tab, and check Run Custom Validation Script, then click the Edit Button.

    Text Field Properties Validate Tab.pngImage Added
  4. In the JavaScript Editor, type in your JavaScript.

    JavaScript Editor Example.pngImage Added

Section 7.6: Tab Order

Now that all of your form fields have been completed, you need to test the tab order of your PDF. A user may not be able to use the mouse to click from one form field to another. A good alternative to access the form fields is by using the Tab Key. To test your PDF, click the Preview Button and hit the Tab Key several times. What should happen is that the first form field at the top of the PDF should be highlighted first. Then by clicking the Tab Key again, the form next to or underneath the first form field will be highlighted. If a form field is skipped, that means the Tab Order is out of order. To fix the Tab Order,

  1. Go into to the All Tools pane, click on the Prepare a Form Tool Edit Mode.

    The All Tools pane with the Prepare a Form tool highlighted with a black box.Image Added
  2. On the right side of the screen, go to the Fields Section.

    Fields Section.pngImage Added
  3. The Fields Section contains all of your form fields and gives you the ability to rearrange the order of the form fields. To move the form field order, click and drag the field you want into a new position.

    Selected Form Example.pngImage Added
    1. Go back to Preview Mode and press the Tab Key to test the new location of your form fields.

      Date Field Selected.pngImage Added
  4. Keep tweaking the Fields Section until everything is in order.

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