Linking Combo Boxes'

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
June 5, 2019
3 replies
947 views

Hi,

Quite new to InDesign so I'm sure there's a simple solution but I can't seem to find it.

Basically, I'm trying to link combo boxes on different pages.

So the first combo box has 5 options, that the user has to click on.

The second combo box (the one I want linked) is at the very end of the document to Summarise the answers that have been chosen.

Is it possible that they can be linked so Combo box 2 changes itself when combo box 1 changes, rather than having to go back and forth?

It might be worth mentioning that I'm making it on an Interactive PDF if that changes anything.

Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Dan

This topic has been closed for replies.

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Laura Paris

Inspiring

Hi, my name is Laura.

I have the same request. In my case I need the original combo box selection to flow into several locations throughout my document.

So far my solution has been to create secondary combo boxes in the locations that I need them, give them the identical name of Combo Box 1 and check "READ ONLY" in the options. Read only on the secondary box prevents it from being changed.

It has been working so far in Apple Preview.

My one very fussy caveat is that the secondary combo boxes retain the drop down arrow on the right which makes it look like a different selection can be made. That and I am unable to format the text outside of font and size.

I also noted that this thread is now several years old and am wondering if there is a newer solution. I prefer not to use coding if possible.

Ashutosh_Mishra

Inspiring

Hi Laura,

Thanks for reaching out. I'd recommend checking out this help article to know the Forms workflow. You may share screenshots or a small video of your workflow for better understanding of the issue.

Looking forward to your response.

Regards,

Ashutosh

Peter Villevoye

Community Expert

The only form elements which will be synced across pages upon filling out the PDF (simply by giving them the same name) are text fields and check boxes. I've used these now and then to repeat already filled out elements on multiple pages like names and such. Radio buttons, lists, and boxes won't sync their chosen options. But like Steve already mentioned: a lot can be done by adding JavaScripts in Acrobat !

Always assure yourself that viewers use a PDF application or app which supports form elements and scripts properly. Not all of them do, like Apple Preview...

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danielr47855468Author

Participating Frequently

Thanks, i'll do that.

Steve Werner

Community Expert

Combo boxes are a PDF feature which InDesign makes more convenient by letting your create the form fields within InDesign, instead of in Adobe Acrobat.

You certainly can't do it in InDesign.

If it's possible, it would probably only in Acrobat possibly through JavaScript programming. To ask, you need to query in the PDF Forms forum (for Acrobat) at this link:

PDF forms