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dianed97898145
Inspiring
July 11, 2023
Answered

How to right-align the text in a dropdown list?

  • July 11, 2023
  • 6 replies
  • 11493 views

Hi!

 

I need to right-align the text in the dropdown list but I'd like to set it as a field-level function if that makes sense (so that they don't all align right, just the ones I want to align right). I can't find the option to do so in the properties box.

 

I'd also like to know how to center-align the date when using a "date field".

 

Is that possible?

 

Thank you so much!!

Diane

    Correct answer JR Boulay

    Got it!

    You don't need to use Acrobat in Hebrew or in Arabic (RTL languages), just use the appropriate option in the Preferences.

     

    6 replies

    cb4232021
    cb4232021
    Participating Frequently
    October 20, 2025

    Hello! I followed these directions and it worked!
    However it also moved the first numbers of an address to the end of the address (screenshot below).

     

    The validation script does not have it like that (screenshot). How do I fix this?

     

    T
    Community Manager
    Tariq AhmadCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    October 23, 2025

    Hi @cb4232021, 


    Thanks for reaching out. 

    The “Enable right-to-left language options” setting in Acrobat preferences allows the application to properly support languages that are written from right to left, such as Arabic, Hebrew, or Persian semantic language support.

    Here’s what it means in practice:

    • Text Direction: It enables correct text flow for right-to-left scripts in comments, form fields, and editing tools.
    • UI Adjustments: Some interface elements (like alignment options) adapt to accommodate right-to-left reading order.
    • Document Handling: This option ensures proper display and editing behaviour when working with PDFs that contain right-to-left content.

    What kind of Form you have it is XFA form? 



    Best regards,
    Tariq | Adobe Community Team

    JR Boulay
    Community Expert
    JR BoulayCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 18, 2023

    See this great tip to force a PDF to be opened with Acrobat:

    https://www.abracadabrapdf.net/ressources-et-tutos/js-et-formulaires-ressources/forcer-utilisation-pdf-avec-acrobat/

    (Google Translate is your friend)

    Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
      Thom Parker
      Community Expert
      Thom ParkerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 18, 2023

      Very clever!!

       

      Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often
        JR Boulay
        Community Expert
        JR BoulayCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        July 15, 2023

        hmmm, now to figure out to remove my wish from the wish list since it exists already...

        No, leave it because it's not really an obvious option.
        It took 3 internationally renowned experts a week to come up with the trick, I think a company like Adobe that claims expertise in user experience could do better.

        😉

        Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
          D
          dianed97898145Author
          Inspiring
          July 15, 2023

          Will do and again thank you so much! I realize that you spent time to figure it out and I do truly appreciate you doing that! 🙂  Have a great weekend! And you guys are definitely experts in my book! 🙂

            JR Boulay
            Community Expert
            JR BoulayCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            July 17, 2023

            I don't like not understanding and this has aroused my curiosity.

            Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
            JR Boulay
            Community Expert
            JR BoulayCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
            Community Expert
            July 15, 2023

            Got it!

            You don't need to use Acrobat in Hebrew or in Arabic (RTL languages), just use the appropriate option in the Preferences.

             

            Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
              D
              dianed97898145Author
              Inspiring
              July 15, 2023

              YES!! THANK YOU, JR!! It worked! I had to climb out of bed, put my contacts in, and come to my computer to check this out, thank you SO, SO MUCH!! 🙂

               

              hmmm, now to figure out to remove my wish from the wish list since it exists already...

               

              Thank you so much!

              Diane

                JR Boulay
                Community Expert
                JR BoulayCommunity Expert
                Community Expert
                July 12, 2023

                It is not possible to change the alignment of a dropdown list, either via the UI or via JavaScript.

                Wrong assertion, see below

                 

                Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
                  try67
                  Community Expert
                  try67Community Expert
                  Community Expert
                  July 11, 2023

                  1. To do that you would have to reverse the field's direction. Go to its Properties and under Options set Direction to "Right to Left". This will align the text to the right, and move the arrow to the left.

                  2. Just set the field's Alignment setting to Center, again under Properties - Options. The selected Format does not matter.

                  D
                  dianed97898145Author
                  Inspiring
                  July 11, 2023

                  Well, hello again! 🙂

                   

                  Thank you!

                   

                  Unfortunately, that option doesn't exist on mine. When I go to "options" I have the following choices:

                   

                  Sort items

                  Allow user to enter custom text

                  Check spelling

                  Commit selected value immediately

                   

                  I'm using Standard, not Pro, does that make a difference?

                   

                  Again, thank you!!

                  Diane

                  try67
                  Community Expert
                  try67Community Expert
                  Community Expert
                  July 12, 2023

                  I'm not seeing it on my Acrobat Pro. What's the JavaScipt Property name?

                   

                   


                  It's not accessible via JS, unfortunately.

                  I'm surprised you don't see it, though. Maybe Adobe removed it? It's very useful for RTL forms.

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