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michelle_8298
New Participant
May 7, 2025
Answered

basic simplified notation get the value entered does not match the format of the field error

  • May 7, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 1022 views

I have a form that has data entry field called SW (setup as required, number to 1 decimal point) then results field (SW6, view, number to 1 decimal point) simplified field notation 45/SW, the form does the calculation but i get the error "the value entered does not match the format of the field

SW field will only have possible entry of 1 thru 8


In the same form I have another data entry field AW (setup as required, number to 1 decimal point), then another results field (AW6) which does a simplified field notation AW*45, which does not get the error.

I've tried various things like removing required, or view, does not make a difference. 

 

Not sure what to do.  Why does it work in one spot and not the other?

    Correct answer PDF Automation Station

    when I view the pdf in a browser everything works fine no errors.  When i view the pdf in acbrobat reader dc I get the error.

     

    When i'm in acrobat in edit mode  and do a preview works with no errors, but when I clear the form  that is where I get the errors as well.


    I repeat, the error is from division by zero when the field is empty.  Use the following custom calculation script instead:

    if(this.getField("SW").value)

    {event.value=45/this.getField("SW").value}

    else

    {event.value=""}

    2 replies

    PDF Automation Station
    PDF Automation Station
    Community Expert
    May 7, 2025

    The solution is here:

    https://pdfautomationstation.substack.com/p/mathematical-errors-in-pdf-forms

    M
    michelle_8298Author
    New Participant
    May 9, 2025

    great, that works now,  thanks so much

    ls_rbls
    ls_rbls
    Community Expert
    May 7, 2025

    Hi @michelle_8298 ,

     

    This simplified field notation (SFN) of 45 divided by a value entered in field SW (45/SW) seems OK.

     

    However, as explained in the article linked below, Field Names are interpreted as operands. Besides that point, it seems like using SFN in Acrobat is a little clunky when emplying a division like that. 

     

    In which case, because the entire line of characters in that code is all stuck together, try doing it like : (45)/SW , (45+0)/SW or using a space 45 / SW.

     

     

    After testing it like that a few times, it didn't throw that error if I switched it back  to 45/SW

     

    M
    michelle_8298Author
    New Participant
    May 7, 2025

    I tried each one of the combinations and still get the same error.  The calculation works on all of the combinations

    PDF Automation Station
    PDF Automation StationCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    May 7, 2025

    when I view the pdf in a browser everything works fine no errors.  When i view the pdf in acbrobat reader dc I get the error.

     

    When i'm in acrobat in edit mode  and do a preview works with no errors, but when I clear the form  that is where I get the errors as well.


    I repeat, the error is from division by zero when the field is empty.  Use the following custom calculation script instead:

    if(this.getField("SW").value)

    {event.value=45/this.getField("SW").value}

    else

    {event.value=""}

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