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

[michelle_8298]

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?

[PDF Automation Station · Accepted solution]

The solution is here:

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

[ls_rbls]

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.

• https://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/print/how-to-do-not-so-simple-form-calculations/

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

[PDF Automation Station]

The problem occurs when the SW field is empty.  Division by zero returns Infinity which throws an error when forced into a number-formatted field (see link in my post below).

[ls_rbls]

Yup!

Disregard my answer.... I was wrong. The issue came back.

[michelle_8298]

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

[PDF Automation Station]

If you change the value in the SW field, do you still get the error?  My article posted below explains how to troubleshoot the error.

[michelle_8298]

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.

[PDF Automation Station · Accepted solution]

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=""}

[PDF Automation Station · Accepted solution]

The solution is here:

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

[michelle_8298]

great, that works now,  thanks so much