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emcsquare26
Participating Frequently
September 18, 2017
Question

Interactive Form Tab Order

  • September 18, 2017
  • 5 replies
  • 5577 views

Hello,
I am having trouble with maintaining the tab order in an interactive PDF form in InDesign CS6. I want to simply resize or re-align some of the text fields that I have, but if I move them even one key stroke for whatever reason the entire tab order seems to almost completely randomize. To add to my frustration, I am having trouble keeping track of which text field is which, and the only way I've been able to view this is via trial and error by exporting the document as a PDF and testing each field individually (it's almost as if the text field names get completely re-assigned if you move anything even slightly around). Is there any way I can see which text field corresponds with which object more easily? Or is there any way I can lock the tab order in place so that if I want to move or re-size and text field the order won't change?

Please let me know!

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5 replies

Buydesign
Buydesign
Participant
November 2, 2017

Using Indesign CS6; I first make sure that all fields have unique names and are not on a master page. Then I go to the following, in the menu:

Object / Interactive / Set tab order

From there, you can either drag the fields up or down the list, or use the 'move up' or 'move down' buttons.

    S
    Shepard
    Participant
    June 26, 2020

    I am having a similar problem. I have looked at my Interative Tab Order, which is correct. Upon testing it, the pdf tabs in a different order on a few items. How do I fix this?

     

    J
    Community Expert
    Jeffrey_SmithCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 30, 2020

    In Acrobat

    E
    emcsquare26Author
    Participating Frequently
    September 18, 2017

    Altering the size and moving the elements shifting the tab order seems to have been a bizarre glitch on my end. However, I am very grateful for everyone's input. Thank you so much!

    Derek Cross
    Community Expert
    Derek CrossCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 18, 2017

    Name each field with an understandable name (to you) and ensure you don't duplicate any names. Its easy the reorder the order.

    J
    Community Expert
    Jeffrey_SmithCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 18, 2017

    Indesign CS6 will set the tab order based on the creation time of the form element. The first created form element will be the first in the tab order. Edits to form element will not bump up in order.

    You will need to change the tab order in Acrobat.

    Bill Silbert
    Community Expert
    Bill SilbertCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 18, 2017

    Could you please explain the process you used to create your forms. I just ran a test creating text fields using the Buttons & Forms Panel where I created the first field and then pulled off a copy and then another copy from my first copy and so on. When I checked them in the Interactive pdf they tabbed correctly. Then I went back to InDesign and moved them left and right and slightly up and down and they still tabbed correctly in the Interactive pdf. In other words the order can be established quickly by dragging copies from one another and even moving them or changing their size does not upset the tabbing order.

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