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Participant
August 10, 2025
Question

Wiring multple dependent dropdowns

  • August 10, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 312 views

Ok I am at my wits end. I have a youth portfolio form that contains a dropdown for the project (category). Once this is selected there are 6 seperate subheader boxes (subcaterory1-6) that should update based on the category selected the right under each of those are items1-6 which are the outcomes they are selecting they achieved which should update from the subcategory. I have all the data for this saved in an excel file both as tab for each project (category) or a master that has all in 3 columns. I got the first set to work and update. I now have updated data and also need it to the same for subcategories2-6 and items2-6. It is a complex system but would be wonderful for our youth if they could just use one form that updated for them regardless of the project. Any help is appreciated. 

 

2 replies

try67
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 10, 2025

You can easily set it up in a few clicks using this (paid-for) tool I've created:

https://www.try67.com/tool/acrobat-create-cascading-dropdowns

All you need to have is a spreadsheet that contains the full data-set. The script will take care of everything else for you.

Thom Parker
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 10, 2025

Yes, this is complex, but doable if broken down properly.   

And to get it all worked out you have to start simple, i.e., with the mimimum set of fields necessary for testing. 

Read these articles:

https://www.pdfscripting.com/public/List-Field-Usage-and-Handling.cfm 

https://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/change_another_field/

https://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/js_list_combo_livecycle/

 

You'll also need to learn a bit about how scripts are built in the Acrobat model. For example, to trigger a script from a selection in a dropdown, use a value related event, such as Validation or Keystroke Commit. The script will also need to use the event object to acquire the selected value. 

   

Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often