Can't scroll multiline text boxes when form sent for Signature

[chrisb_MBCG]

Using Adobe Acrobat forms for a large NFP (for project governance and approval processes).

Some of the forms are extensive - up to 15 pages, with many fields per page. Some of the text fields are large - windows with 500 words, with 350 words or so visible, and the balance of accessed by scrolling withion the text box. (Multiline and Scroll options ticked).

When the form is sent to multiple recipients for signature, they complain they cannot access text below the text box outline, i.e. text that was accessed by scrolling when the document was filled in by the originator.

It appears from my reading of the Community Forums this situation has existed for quite some time.

Is there any way around it other than:

1. Redesign all the forms with much larger text boxes, or;
2. Limit the number of characters that can be input, so the box never overflows and therefore never needs to scroll?

If not, does anyone know if there is any likelihood of Adobe improving the product in the immediate future?

Does anyone else find this situation a bit sub-optimal?

[ls_rbls]

Hi,

I have to ask what PDF viewer are the users opening the document with?

[chrisb_MBCG]

Adobe Acrobat DC Pro

[ls_rbls]

Would it be possible for you to share a sampe of the file?

It doesn't have to be the original document but to get a solid idea if what you're dealing and maybe some of the developers in the community can also suggest other things with javascript.

[chrisb_MBCG]

Here's a depersonalised version: 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vs1kq6oh94dsx37/IPSF_Community_Share.pdf?dl=0

Some of the text boxes e.g. Section A box 3 are multiline and scrollable, but we want the signatories to be able to see all the text when they sign.  I have a feeling - if the subsequent poster is correct about the form being frozen so the signatory is signing off based on visible content, that we're going to have to either limit the text allowed in the boxes, or else redesign the form. 

If there were any other options I'd be grateful for any ideas anyone may have.

[Bernd Alheit]

Does you use Adobe Sign?

[chrisb_MBCG]

The organisation is using Adobe Acrobat DC Pro, and sending the form to recipients using the Fill & Sign function.

[JR Boulay]

Text fields cannot scroll in a Adobe Sign Form, this is by design and this make sense since every thing must be visible before being signed.

Adobe removed Calculation, Validation, Format and Actions panes, and just forgot to remove this option in Properties : Options for Sign form fields.

Edit: they also forgot to remove the Rich Text option

[chrisb_MBCG]

Thanks, you may be right. 

Do you know this by deduction, or have you read it somewhere in Adobe's documentation?

[JR Boulay]

I took it in the face and I lost a big client at the time when Acrobat (version 9 or 10, I can't remember) did not yet differentiate between the two types of forms.
After signing the calculation fields displayed inconsistent values, the scripts and actions disappeared as if by magic, the text fields in RTF format changed appearance by displaying the code (I believe that this is still the case), the fields with scrolling no longer scrolls, etc, etc.

The logical and common sense argument of theAcrobat development team is that everything must be visible in a document that must be signed, and that no function (script, action, etc.) should be able to modify it, whatever happens next.

However, the fact that the document changes appearance just at the time of signing does not seem to shock any of them…

In France this behavior is prohibited by law, a document cannot change its appearance at the time of its signature, which makes the use of AdobeSign very delicate.

Especially since the documentation on the subject is almost non-existent in English and completely non-existent in French.

So answer is yes, this is by deduction, because this kind of error no longer surprises me.

😉

[chrisb_MBCG]

C'est formidable!  And yet when you are asked to sign up to the Adobe EULA Terms and Conditions, you have to scroll the box all the way down...

But it is what it is, and I've found the Adobe support systems to be virtually non-existent.  Without the Community forum I'd simply be guessing.   So thank you, merci beaucoup!

[Michael30461556ktwf]

Hello!

Anybody know if this is still the same? Any changes or workarounds? 

[ls_rbls]

@Michael30461556ktwf ,

There is no change yet, I'm afraid.