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johnmc9779693
Participating Frequently
May 23, 2018
Question

Why can't I change the format in multiple fields?

  • May 23, 2018
  • 2 replies
  • 11771 views

Why can't I select a number of form fields and change all their formatting at one time? For example, change a column of text fields to number fields. As it is, I have to change one field at a time. It's laborious, to put it mildly. I understand that it's probably easier to start from the beginning by defining the field as a number. However, when I use "Use current properties as new default", it still requires that I still have to go back to each one and change the decimal places.

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    2 replies

    try67
    try67
    Community Expert
    May 23, 2018

    You can, using a script, like this one I've developed:

    http://try67.blogspot.com/2012/06/acrobat-apply-format-to-multiple-fields.html

    G
    gkaiseril
    Inspiring
    May 23, 2018

    One can use JavaScript to access each field in turn and and change the properties of the individual field. Or when I am creating a column(s) of fields I create one row with the formatting I want. If some calculation is required, then I have to create a custom calculation that can determine the row to be processed and adjust the field names as necessary. And then I highlight the row and use "Create multiple copies" form the context menu, right mouse click.

    J
    johnmc9779693Author
    Participating Frequently
    May 23, 2018

    Apparently, I wasn't clear. I apologize. I'm new at this. What I want to do is take a column of text fields and change ALL of them from none or text to the number format without having to do it one field at a time. I want to select the entire column and change ALL the fields from one format to another. When I try "Use current properties as new default" in an attempt to create the number fields with NO decimal places, it keeps defaulting to two decimal places which means that I still have to go back and change all of them one field at a time. It's the effectively same amount of effort that it takes to change the format and decimal places one at a time and I've gained nothing. I don't understand why something like this can't simply be done on an entire group of fields.

      J
      johnmc9779693Author
      Participating Frequently
      May 23, 2018

      I read your explanation of the Java script and it's what I want. However, there's just one of  me and it's not something that I can justify paying $60 to solve. I only have this problem a few times a year. Nonetheless, thanks for your help.

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