Math equation not working in reader-enabled PDF form

[stevew78838053]

I have a strange problem that I need help with. I created a PDF invoice form for my boss with some basic math equations that adds up costs plus tax. I tested in on my iMac in both Acrobat Pro and Acrobat Reader and it works perfectly for me. When I export the PDF to my boss as a reader-enabled PDF form with extended capabilities, she doesn't see the dollar amounts adding up in the total area after she adds in dollar amounts in the form boxes. As a matter of fact, she doesn't see the $ sign next to the numbers in the form boxes either, but I see them on my end. She is using a Macbook and the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader. Anyone have a possible solution?

[Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com · Accepted solution]

Since your boss is on a Mac, make sure she's viewing the PDF form in Adobe Acrobat Reader and not Apple's free Preview, which tends to hijack PDFs. Preview is not fully compliant with the PDF specification and, consequently, doesn't process forms well.

Launch her copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader, and then File / Open to select the file you want to test.

[stevew78838053]

Problem solved!!!! She was using Preview instead of Acrobat Reader to open the file. Thanks a bunch!!!

[try67]

There's really no need to Reader-enable the file, unless you expect it to be used in very old versions of Reader.

However, that should not cause any such issues. As mentioned, make sure they are opening the file in Reader, and not any other application.