Skip to main content
c kim
c kim
Known Participant
March 15, 2017
Answered

Custom line spacing in a fillable text form field

  • March 15, 2017
  • 11 replies
  • 116135 views

My client has a word document with lines for applicants to print out and fill in, or "fill in digitally." Is there a way to create a text form field with "custom" line spacing? I know you can do it when you preview the document, but is there a way to actually "embed" that data in the text field so the user doesn't have to do it when filling out the form.

    Correct answer ShannonReinholdt

    I figured it out, this can not be done in indesign which is something they need to work on because it defeats the idea of making a nice designed interactive pdf form.

    In Acrobat

    1. Choose Prepare Form > Select the text field and right click > Select Properties
    2. Select "Options" tab and make sure Multi-Line and Allow Rich Text Formatting is selected > Close this window
    3. Exit out of Prepare Form mode
    4. Add some text in the text field > Highlight it and press CTRL + e > this will open up text field properties > select more... now you can edit your paragraph spacing.

    NOTE: The only thing I noticed is that the text field might not hold onto those properties if the text is deleted, it seems to have reverted back to the default spacing.

    2nd option, make multiple text boxes and link them together, again this can not be done in indesign and only done in Acrobat

    1. Make multiple text boxes and name them properly. Example Text_1, Text_2, Text_#, etc
    2. Right click on the first text box and open properties menu
    3. In the "Options Tab" ensure "Scroll long text" is turned off
    4. Next open up the format tab > Select Format Category : Custom > and open up the Custome Keystroke Script: by selecting "edit"
    5. Enter this java script

    if (event.willCommit || event.fieldFull) {

        this.getField("Text_2").setFocus();

    }

    Do this for all text boxes and make sure to write the name of next text field into the java script. This will tell the text fields that when one is full, to carry onto the next text field assigned.

    11 replies

    Show previous replies
    T
    Community Manager
    Tariq AhmadCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    April 6, 2017

    Hi ckim,

    If you have attached picture or snapshot of the form. It could help us responding to your query.

    I would suggest you may design a form using Microsoft word and then use prepare form mode of Acrobat. Using Acrobat you can place the field as required. 

    Alternatively, you may use Adobe AEM designer formerly know LiveCycle Designer: http://tv.adobe.com/videos/livecycle-designer/

    Let us know if you have further questions.

    -Tariq Dar.

    A
    ADplytdy
    New Participant
    February 7, 2018

    Has this option been fixed? It seems to be a no brainer that Adobe would include type size so why not then let the designer choose a fixed leading for a multi line response field?  It seems unfathomable that one can't just have the option of saved specific line spacing in the PDF form to send out. Is this to sell us on the LiveCycle? We don't fit LiveCycle parameters. We have warranty forms for a small business.

      A
      ADplytdy
      New Participant
      February 12, 2018

      The PDF specification (not Adobe) provides default settings for the basic appearance parameters. Rich text is more complicated and I don't think it was part of the original PDF spec, so the defaults aren't there.


      Yes, my initial form is Rich Text in Illustrator and Acrobat DC.


      I can't execute javascript. Neither Illustrator nor InDesign require me to know it in order to create and hold the leading I desire. The form leading was set in Illustrator CC 2017 holds. The issue is with the Acrobat fields created in Acrobat DC. I can not match the fields with the leading of the type created in Illustrator 2017 on the questionnaire. Also, the form has a paragraph field asking for customer input up to 750 words. Very difficult reading the responses with a decent size font but too tight leading as dictated by Acrobat's lack of allowing editable leading.

      And if I understand you correctly, if someone is filling out our form and they delete their text and start over then the leading I set is gone???I have just not been able to set and stick with a preferred leading in the fillable fields of Acrobat DC. I searched the menus and find nothing. I was trying various possible work arounds to no avail.

      Why have the developers of Acrobat not gotten in sync with the software engineers of Illustrator or InDesign on this as we are up to CC? I still find it unfathomable that the Adobe family of products is not consistent in allowing the  leading default to be changed by the form creator in Acrobat DC.

      Many other great things about Acrobat Pro but this is on the level of novice software and another case of not actually having, or listening to feedback of it's users and what they need in their software.

      I do thank you for responding and trying to help.

        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices