PDF fillable forms compatibility issues for MAC users?

Report · Apr 28, 2017

Hi there,

I'm hoping someone can provide insight or a solution to an ongoing problem we are having in our office.

We work in student exchanges and we have our participants fill out an in-depth multi page fillable form that includes check boxes, text fields and buttons with Java scripts to insert photos. The form seems to work fine for most PC users (with the exception of those who have zero computer aptitude). But for MAC users there are almost always issues!!

We know a form is being submitted by a MAC user right away as the fonts change, the photo fields are suddenly voided out (JavaScript settings are gone), check boxes are unmarked and the list goes on! We end up spending a ton of time fixing these forms for our participants- time that could be better spent doing other work!

It is is very frustrating for all involved! This software is supposed to be compatible for both MAC and PC users but we just haven't found that to be the case.

Does anyone know of any possible solution to this?

Report · Apr 28, 2017

The problem is likely to be this. Macs come with apps ("Preview" and the web browser "Safari") which can view PDF files and seem to fill forms. BUT THEY DO IT WRONG. The forms are bad as you've seen. Your Mac users need to open the files in Acrobat Reader DC - just installing it isn't enough, they have to make sure it is used.

In Response To Test Screen Name · Jan 02, 2019

Hi all

So if I understand this correctly, only with a paid version of Acrobat will the forms work on Mac or is there a free downloadable version for it ?

Thank you

In Response To Hansie69 · Jan 02, 2019

You can use the free Adobe (Acrobat) Reader.

In Response To Test Screen Name · Jun 19, 2024

Thank you for this information. As I know nothing about a MAC, how to I describe the process of opening the form in Acrobat Reader to my clients? My clients all swear they've downloaded the Acrobat Reader DC but they must not be opening the fillable forms in the program. I need to be able to tell them how to make sure they are filling the form in Reader. Thank You!

In Response To Melissa227681758sls · Oct 29, 2024

I was glad to see this - I am not the only one. I wanted to combine a pdf fillable form with some other documents. Preview wouldn't even see the form - kept giving me some Adobe "You need to upgrade" crap. Used the WEB BASED PAID VERSION OF ADOBE!!! and it still gave me the weird sheet. Downloaded full Adobe for Mac. Could open it, but it still won't allow me to combine - but at least the full desktop version tells me that the error is that the form is so special it doesn't want any other forms to be part of it.

I've used Adobe for as far back as its been in use, but haven't been using the professional version for the last five years. I am not impressed... things have gone downhill.

Report · Jun 19, 2024

The easiest way is to place your form in a PDF Portfolio.

Otherwise you can use these great tips (copy-paste the URLs in Google Translate if you can't read French):

https://www.abracadabrapdf.net/ressources-et-tutos/js-et-formulaires-ressources/forcer-utilisation-p...