How to Align Text Top Left in a Field?

[TeachHR]

In Acrobat XI, how do I get text to align top left in a form field?  When I create a new text field, the text centers inside the field.  Thanks for any help.

[Tech_Guy]

"First, your message seems to imply that we are working for Adobe."

Not at all, Where I said "your users", I intended from the form designer's perspective. As in the users of the form you've designed.

"I can click anywhere in a multi-line box and it will start at the top. Is that what you are discussing or am I missing the point?"

if it worked like this, I wouldn't have had to make my original post. This is the behavior I expected, but as I said, the field does not work this way, at least not in my installation. I can actually click into a blank multi-line field on what would be the second or third line and am allowed to type there while the line(s) above remain blank.

this causes the field to appear as though the alignment settings are not working. Is this enough information for clarity?

[Creamer Training]

Yes but that's not normal behavior.
My GIF shows that isn't happening. 

is it possible someone entered in empty returns in the auto-text area?

Also are you sure someone didn't create multiple single line text boxes?

[Tech_Guy]

Yes, I was the creator of the form about which I posted and I am sure of both. I will try testing with a newly created document just to be absolutely sure. Thanks.

[Bernd Alheit]

Can you share a sample PDF file?

[try67]

> I can actually click into a blank multi-line field on what would be the second or third line and am allowed to type there while the line(s) above remain blank.

It doesn't work like that for me. Either the field is not really empty, or you're using some non-standard application, so please provide the full details of the app you're using, the platform, OS, etc.

[Tech_Guy]

Thanks Try67,

I created a new, blank form in Acrobat DC and placed a single multi-line field and it worked as expected (as you stated it should).

I opened the problem form and was able to confirm that a CR character was on the first line of the offending field. The thing is, I did not enter a CR in this field when testing the form and did select all test text in this field and deleted it before publishing the form. I should have gone the extra step of deleting the field entirely and recreating it, but I assumed the field was empty based on all the actions taken.

Thanks for replying enough to get this solved and providing a lesson learned for future development.

[Creamer Training]

As I mentioned, check the Default Value area for any stray returns:

[Taryn22866536xzih]

I'm experiencing the same issues as comments above, but selecting the multiline option does not solve the problem.

If I do not have the multiline option selected, my text starts in the centre of the field; when I select the multiline option, my text starts at the bottom of the field. I can't figure out for the life of me how to align my text to the top. 

[try67]

Can you share the file in question with us? Also, where are you viewing it, exactly?

[FuriousDuckling420]

There are some other strange things going on. Certain fonts seem to cause the text to start near the middle of the field.

To reproduce the issue:

• Create a text field
• In Text Field Properties / Options remove selected options and select multi-line and Allow Rich Text Formatting
• Enter Preview and enter some text in the top left of your text field
• Go back to edit and then back into In Text Field Properties / Options
• Change the Font to Cambria

The text entered in preview then moves from the top of the text field to nearer the middle.

This has been infuriating me this afternoon.

[Josh_Akins]

You are absolutely correct. Stay away from fonts like Cambria, it will cause the text to begin at the middle and space out the characters too much.