How to create multi-line text box on top of printed lines for writing?

Question

When I create a form, I have a large area of multi-line text for people to fill the form on their computer. But when they print the form, I want to have lines appear for them to write on. But if someone types into the form with their computer, the lines of text do not correspond with the lines that I have drawn for writing into. Is there a way to have the lines not appear if the person fills the form with their computer, but print if they don't fill in the text box from their computer?

Terry Wysocki · Accepted Answer

> Is there any way to have the script run more interactively as soon as the first character is typed?

You can use a keystroke event, but the field's appearance will not update until you exit it.

Ok, here's my final solution! I created two actions. OnFocus I have this script:

this.getField(event.target.name).fillColor = color.white;

Which hides the lines as soon as a cursor comes into the field.

Then I examine the contents when exiting and set the background with an OnBlur action:

var fld = this.getField(event.target.name);
fld.fillColor = fld.value = "" ? ["T"] : color.white;

If nothing was entered, the text lines show, otherwise the box has a white background.

THANKS for all your help, Try67. I'm learning a lot!

try67 · Answer

You have to manually (and carefully) adjust the size of the font and location of the field for them to match. It's not an easy task. But there's no need for the fields if the form is filled digitally, so you can set the field as having a white fill color and as visible on the screen, but change it to be hidden when printed, if it's empty.

This requires using a script, though.

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