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Douglas_321
Participant
January 9, 2023
Question

Fillable form works for me in Chrome, but not for other users

  • January 9, 2023
  • 4 replies
  • 2261 views

I created a fillable form that contains checkboxes, text fields, and buttons. When I open the PDF in Chrome, the form elements are present and work as expected.

However, when other users open the PDF in Chrome, the form elements do not work properly. Other users can't check the boxes or enter text. Actually, it appears that the elements are no longer in the PDF. For example, if the user hovers over the checkbox, the mouse pointer does not change to a hand, which may indicate that the checkbox is not there.

Note that when other users view the PDF in Adobe Reader, all the form elements work properly.

Does anyone know why the form works for me in Chrome, but not for other users?

This topic has been closed for replies.

4 replies

ls_rbls
Community Expert
ls_rblsCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 10, 2023

++Adding to the topic,

 

You may also employ Adobe Sign in this type of workflow.

    Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com
    Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com
    Legend
    January 10, 2023

    @Thom Parker is correct.

    Browsers are not compliant with the PDF specification and, therefore, can't process interactive features of PDF files such as form fields. They can display the file on the screen, but not form fields.

     

    When placing PDFs on websites for users, we always include instructions to download the PDF to their computer and open it with the preferred PDF reading software, such as Acrobat Reader, Standard, or Pro, or other brands such as FoxIt or Kofax.

     

    |    Bevi Chagnon   |  Designer, Trainer, & Technologist for Accessible Documents ||    PubCom |    Classes & Books for Accessible InDesign, PDFs & MS Office |
      L
      Lori Bain-Lewis
      Participant
      January 10, 2023
      No I have no idea

      Lori Lewis
      Thom Parker
      Community Expert
      Thom ParkerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      January 10, 2023

      Tell them not to use Chrome, or any other Browser PDF viewer to fill the form.  These viewers are not compliant with the PDF specification.

       

      Use the genuine article Adobe Acrobat Reader. 

       

       

      Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often
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