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MissyS1414
Participant
January 11, 2018
Answered

Is there a way to format instructional text to my text field that disappears when clicked?

  • January 11, 2018
  • 3 replies
  • 22172 views

I have the prompt text figured out using this script taken from this forum: Is there a way to add instructional text to my text field that will disappear when clicked? (PDF Forms)

// Custom Format script for text field

if (!event.value) {

event.value = "Instructional text goes here";

event.target.display = display.noPrint;

} else {

event.target.display = display.visible;

}

Is their a way to change the prompt text's size and make it different from the type size I have set for them to fill out in the form. I want the type size of the prompt to be smaller than what size they use to fill it out.

    Correct answer Thom Parker

    Why yes there is, and your code is already setup for adding it.  The "display" is a property of the text field object, and it is being set one way for the help text, and another way when the user enters the text. The text size is also a property of the text field object and it can be set in the same way.

    // Custom Format script for text field

    if (!event.value) {

    event.value = "Instructional text goes here";

    event.target.display = display.noPrint;

    event.target.textSize = 12;

    } else {

    event.target.display = display.visible;

    event.target.textSize = 9;

    }

    You could also set the size on the keystroke event, or the OnFocus event, to capture the moment the user starts typing in the field.

    3 replies

    C
    chris_2649
    Participant
    April 1, 2025

    Hello just chiming in here to ask a question, can I add multiple forms like this in one document? LIke if I did an instructional text for Your Phone Number, could I then use the same script for say Your Email, and just change the intructional text for a different field?

    try67
    Community Expert
    try67Community Expert
    Community Expert
    April 1, 2025

    Do you mean you want to use the same string for both fields, and be able to edit it in one place, and have it automatically apply to all of them?

    T
    Tara5F91
    Participating Frequently
    September 9, 2020

    Thanks. Now how do I apply this java script to all my text fields in one step? I want to avoid having to go to all my 300 comment boxes, open them and insert instructional text to my text field .

     

    Bernd Alheit
    Community Expert
    Bernd AlheitCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 9, 2020

    You want the same instructions for all text fields?

    T
    Tara5F91
    Participating Frequently
    September 9, 2020

    Yes for all text fields

     

    I am using the script below to add instructional text to my text field that will disappear when clicked. But the script is only valid for one box.


    Now how do I apply this java script to all my text fields in one step? I want to avoid having to go to all my 300 comment boxes, open them and insert instructional text to my text field.


    if (!event.value) {
    event.value = "Instructional text goes here";
    event.target.display = display.noPrint;
    } else {
    event.target.display = display.visible;
    }

    Thom Parker
    Community Expert
    Thom ParkerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    January 11, 2018

    Why yes there is, and your code is already setup for adding it.  The "display" is a property of the text field object, and it is being set one way for the help text, and another way when the user enters the text. The text size is also a property of the text field object and it can be set in the same way.

    // Custom Format script for text field

    if (!event.value) {

    event.value = "Instructional text goes here";

    event.target.display = display.noPrint;

    event.target.textSize = 12;

    } else {

    event.target.display = display.visible;

    event.target.textSize = 9;

    }

    You could also set the size on the keystroke event, or the OnFocus event, to capture the moment the user starts typing in the field.

    Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often
    C
    Clare29991905t33m
    Participant
    May 22, 2023

    Using this script. Is there a way to add multi-line instructions eg:

    event.value = "Instruction example one"

    next line "Instruction example two"

     

    Thank you

    Nesa Nurani
    Community Expert
    Nesa NuraniCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 22, 2023

    Yes, in field properties under 'Options' tab, select 'Multiline' and use '\n' for new line in text something like this:

    event.value = "Instructional text goes here\nText for second line goes here\nText for third line...etc";

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