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March 27, 2019
Question

Multi-line text field - text doesn't show up after first line?

  • March 27, 2019
  • 4 replies
  • 9596 views

This is the first time I've ever used Acrobat to create a fillable form.  I think I've got the basics down, but my problem is that I've run into an issue when trying to insert a multi-line text box in my document.

I've created the box to the needed size and set the following in the properties:

  • Appearance:  Size - 12  —  Font - Cambria
  • Options:  Both the multi-line & scroll long text boxes are checked

What's happening is that when I attempt to actually use this text box, it isn't working right.  I thought that the settings I used above would allow the text to automatically drop down to a new line and continue typing.  What's happening is that the cursor does automatically drop down to the next line in the box, but the text is invisible. I'm including 2 screenshots to show the section I'm talking about.

This is what it looks like while I'm typing:

This is what it looks like when I click outside of the box:

[The full text that I typed into the box was:  The defendant is incarcerated on other felony charges which violates the terms and conditions on his bond.]

Could someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong?

This topic has been closed for replies.

4 replies

iman.barabadi
Participant
September 4, 2024

Hi there,

I'm not sure if you have resolved the issue or not. As I had the same problem, I replaced Cambria with Times and multiline is working fine! Times New Roman is the base typeface for the web and digital media. There might be a bug with other fonts or specifically, Cmabria.

Cheers, Iman

 

Participant
November 3, 2024

So...I FINALLY got it to work after changing the font size to 12, changing the font from Helvetica to Adobe Arabic, and then Times Roman.  I guess this feature is limited to Times Roman.

Participant
November 3, 2024

Nevermind...it worked last night, but it doesn't work today.

Participant
January 29, 2024

I'm still looking for a solution to this same problem. 

 

BarlaeDC
Community Expert
Community Expert
February 3, 2024

HI,

 

Can you share a document where you are not able to get it working?

BarlaeDC
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 4, 2020

Hi,

 

Can I check which version of ACrobat you are using as in this version

 

I was able to get it to work as expected.

 

Malcolm

 

Steph.Perez
Participant
February 1, 2021

Hi Malcom, I might have missed your response to my question of what specific steps you took to make multiple lines visible, aligned at the top of the text box, without selecting Auto for the text size?

Participant
October 28, 2021

Did you figure it out? I have the same issue.

AkanchhaS8194121
Legend
March 28, 2019

Hi Thebooknerd,

I've created the box to the needed size and set the following in the properties:

  • Appearance:  Size - 12  —  Font - Cambria
  • Options:  Both the multi-line & scroll long text boxes are checked

What's happening is that when I attempt to actually use this text box, it isn't working right.  I thought that the settings I used above would allow the text to automatically drop down to a new line and continue typing.  What's happening is that the cursor does automatically drop down to the next line in the box, but the text is invisible. I'm including 2 screenshots to show the section I'm talking about.

Change Appearance: Font Size- Auto 

This is what it looks like when I click outside of the box:

This is how Output would look like. Even though the text would spread into multi-line while typing, but when you'll click outside or save form then form field content would only appear when you will click inside.

Thanks,

Akanchha

March 28, 2019

I changed the font size to Auto as suggested.  While that did allow the full text to show up as needed, the text was decreased in size as the sentence continued instead of keeping the text full-sized and dropping down to a new line when the right margin of the text field was reached.

Screenshot:

As you can see, it also moved the justification of the text to the bottom of the text field instead of the top as I had set it (see original screenshots above from yesterday).

I really need someone to help me figure out how to format this text field so that the following are met:

  • I need this box to keep the same sized text without shrinking it to fit a single line as it did in the new screenshot when text size was set to Auto.
  • I need this box to automatically drop down to the next line when the text reaches the right margin of the field.
  • I need the text to be justified at the top of the text field instead of it moving to the bottom like it did in the new screenshot.

Thanks for anyone who can assist me with this!!

Steph.Perez
Participant
December 4, 2020

@70858 

 

were you able to find an answer or find a work around? i have the exact same question so curious what, if anything, you were able to learn? 

 

appreciate the help!