Blank option in PDF Dropdown

[DynamicGuy73]

I have a number of PDF forms created in Adobe Acrobat that have a required drop down list.

Originally I had been adding a blank option to the top of the lists (by hitting the space bar in the Item Name and leaving the Export Value empty), so that the form displays blank when opened.

However, we had a series of forms submitted (using Adobe Reader and a "Submit a Form" button - the built-in one that comes with Acrobat not a custom javascript button) that some of the required dropdown lists have been left blank.

I then realized that because the "blank" option in the dropdown is not technically "null" or empty but a space that the Submit a Form button is not catching it as being empty and allows the form to be submitted.

1) Adobe: Why is there not a true "add a blank" option to the dropdown list properties that passes a "null" value so the Submit a Form button form works properly???

2) Since there isn't such an option, how do I keep the forms from being submitted when the dropdowns are left blank?  I'd rather not have to embed a bunch of javascript into the forms to check for something that should be built in.

[George_Johnson]

For #1, that's just the way it is. For #2, you will have to use JavaScript.

[try67]

I agree that it's a missing feature, but there's nothing we can do about it, or explain why it is so...

You can request new features here: http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/mmform/index.cfm?name=wishform

[gkaiseril]

If you load the drop down or list box using JavaScript it is possible to have null value but this is not the standardized method and can make updating the list by others difficult or Adobe could do something that treats this as an error or something else.

[Rickystudds]

#1 IS POSSIBLE! Just put a space bar!!!! and press ADD~!

YOU ARE WELCOME! I WAS WONDERING ABOUT THAT SAME THING MYSELF!

[gkaiseril]

That is how it is done using the UI.

With JavaScript using the setItems, one can add a true null.

If you expect to be changing the or editing the list on a regular basis, It might be easier to use a document level JavaScript to populate the fields.

[Marc27995244uucz]

Can you provide instructions on how to do this in JavaScript?

I have dropdowns in my form but they default to the first value in the dropdown.  I just want them to default toa blank/empty field.

[Alexandra5E10]

That worked perfectly! Thanks for the tip!

[Andrew22213884geao]

You human legend! There you have it ladies and gents

[koryautrey]

Unfortunately, this does not solve the problem.  They were using this method from the beginning, when he said, "Originally I had been adding a blank option to the top of the lists (by hitting the space bar in the Item Name and leaving the Export Value empty), so that the form displays blank when opened."

[jacquelinie36313572rcye]

Worked like a charm.   Thank you

[melanie_4173]

This creates an error on the user end if they try to request a signature. Essentially, my user had to delete every drop down on my form to get the signature request to send. The error reads "Drop Downs cannot be blank or contain spaces". 

[melanie_4173 · Accepted solution]

But I finally found an answer on another thread. It took 2 days and hours of searching. This person is a true human legend.

[nataly_9492]

This was a great answer and it looks great for the end user!

[kimberly_8881]

SO helpful!! Thanks!

[Lin Lei Lei23460016fscz]

This is genius! Thank you.