Skip to end of metadata
Go to start of metadata

You are viewing an old version of this page. View the current version.

Compare with Current View Page History

« Previous Version 3 Next »

\uD83D\uDCD8 Instructions

Section 5.1: The PDF Form Pipeline

The following steps are the main PDF Form Pipeline or workflow used for creating accessible PDF forms.

The PDF Form Pipeline Steps:

  1. Create the Form in Microsoft Word

  2. Export to Untagged PDF

  3. Add Form Fields in Acrobat Pro

  4. Set and Verify Form Field Properties

  5. Check the Form Field Tab Order

  6. Add Tags to the Document

  7. Fine Tune the Reading Order and Tab Order

  8. Check Accessibility

If you start with a tagged PDF document, you should delete the tags and then complete Steps 3 through 8.

Section 5.2: Starting in Microsoft Word

When you think your document is nearing completion, follow these rules to make sure your project is ready for Acrobat.

  1. Ensure form instructions are clear.

  2. Create visible labels for all form fields.

  3. Ensure labels are meaningful and clear.

  4. Place labels visually adjacent to their corresponding elements.

  5. Include meaningful group labels where appropriate.

  6. Indicate which form fields are required and if there are any field constraints, such as a specific format of entering the data. (This can also be done in Acrobat).

  7. Provide help and hints where appropriate. (This can also be done in Acrobat).

Section 5.15: PDF Form Wizard

The Form Wizard scans your form and automatically add fields for you.

  1. Open the Prepare Form Tool.

  2. Click Start, your form fields will be created.

Section 5.16: Creating Form Fields with Text

  1. Click Prepare Form Tool.

  2. Select Add a Text Field to add text.

  3. Draw a square where you want the text to be.

Section 5.17: Creating Fillable Forms

  1. Click the Prepare Form Tool.

  2. To add boxes to your table, click Add a Text Field in the panel above.

  1. To add a date box, click Add a Date Field in the panel above.

  1. To add check boxes, click Add check boxes to enable options the panel above.

  1. To check if all of these boxes are working, click Preview in the top right corner. You should be able to type in your name, choose a date from the calendar, and check boxes.

Section 5.18: Creating a Checklist in PDFs

  1. Click Prepare Form Tool

  2. Select Add Check Box Icon, this will allow you to create a list where the user can choose from a selection of choices.

Section 5.19: Creating Buttons in PDFs

  1. Click Prepare Form Tool

  2. Select the OK Icon, and create an appropriate name in the Field Name.

  3. This will create a button to activate an action. Like Printing, or Submitting

  4. Select All Properties, and go to the Action Tab. In the Add an Action field, change Select Trigger to Mouse Up. For selecting an action, choose the appropriate action for your button. This example has a reset button so we will use the action “Reset a form”.

Section 5.20: Adding a Calendar in PDFs

  1. Click Prepare Form Tool.

  2. Select Add a Date Field, and place the box into a Date Cell.

Section 5.21: Protecting your PDF

  1. Click the Protect Tool.

  2. In the panel above, select Protect Using Password.

  3. Select your choice of needing a password for allowing viewers to see or edit the PDF.

  4. Create your Password and click Apply.

Highlight important information in a panel like this one. To edit this panel's color or style, select one of the options in the menu.

  • No labels