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rachaell33313311
Participating Frequently
January 15, 2019
Question

Tagged form fields - failed, Found work around. What is happening behind scenes?

  • January 15, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 5285 views

Hi folks.  I'm hoping you can explain what is happening behind the scenes and why this method works when it seems it should be unnecessary.

Specifications:

1 page pdf form

  • 9 fields
  • 1 Signature Field
  • 1 simple table, 7x6
    • Table has summary
    • each cell contains 1 field
  • ALL fields were created manually, in tab order using the Prepare Form tools.
  • ALL fields have a unique Properties Name and a Tooltip.
  • One graphic logo, with alternate text.

Preview of the form shows all fields working correctly and tabbing in the correct order.

The Accessibility Full Check returns:

  • Tagged annotations - Failed
  • Tab order - Failed
  • Tagged form fields - Failed order
    • Expanding the error reveals ALL fields as failed.

Work Around

  1. Accessibility menu item Autotag Document
  2. Rerun Accessibility Full Check
    1. Lose Alt text on graphic logo - right click Figures alternate text-Failed --> Fix and retype alternate text for logo.
    2. Lose Table summary - Click Accessibility Reading Order, Right Click TH tag on table, Edit Table Summary --> retype table summary
  3. Rerun Accessibility Full Check
    1. Returns a clean report.
  4. Double check field names:  Prepare Form Tool
    1. All field names are unchanged.  Tab order unchanged.

Can anyone tell me why I had to go through the work around to get a clean accessibility report?  Why didn't Adobe recognize my field names and tabbing order in the first place?

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

K
KimDP21
Participant
November 4, 2020

I am having the same troubles. I create a form using Acrobat Pro DC 2020.012. I use Acrobat's form creater. Each field has a unique name and tool tip completed. Yet, it fails when I run the accessibility checker. Having to make the form accessible using the Touch-up Reading order tool is a pain when I set the form up right in the first place. Has anyone fould a fix. Or can Adobe please fix the issue.

A
Anonymous
November 4, 2020

There's a lot more steps to make an accessible AcroForm than what you describe.

What's the exact error that Acrobat's accessibility checker is flagging?

 

K
KimDP21
Participant
November 5, 2020

I created the form from an InDesign file that was exported as a PDF. I open the PDF using Acrobat Pro DC and used the Prepare Form to start the process. I applied all the appropriate field properties.  I can send the form if you would like.

 

I have been creating accessible forms for several years and haven’t had this problem. This issue has been going on since the last two updates. I have fixed them manually within the Accessibility checker when I only had a few fields. This form has 117 fields. I really don’t want to have to do them manually. As a workaround, I am sending the form to my colleague who has the CommonLook application. I am on a Mac OS 10.15.7. CommonLook currently does not make the application for a Mac. My hope is you can find a solution so I can complete my work using Adobe products.

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