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J
jimmymac2
New Participant
May 29, 2020
Answered

Set initial size for "Default Auto Size"

  • May 29, 2020
  • 5 replies
  • 4239 views

I think that's an interesting approach to what is requested but not quite what is needed. I have the same problem.

 

When you choose "Auto" as the font size for a fillable field and then a user starts to use the field, the font begins appearing at a particular size. For me, it seems to be 14pt.

 

Then when the user reaches the character limit of the field, the font gets smaller as expected.

 

The question is, can that initial "default auto" size be defined and if so, how?

 

I attempted your idea. I want a fillable field that initially defaults at 36pt and reduces as necessary. I created a field with 36pt and set it as the default. I then created a new field (which defaulted ot 36pt) but then made the font size auto. Unfortunately, the "default auto" is still something like 14pt.

 

Other suggestions?

 

 

[Branched to new thread by moderator]

Correct answer try67

Not possible. You can set a field's font size to Auto or to a fixed value, but not both.
What you can do, though, is use a script to set change the font size based on the length of the text in the field, but it will only update the display when you exit it and the value is committed.

5 replies

JR Boulay
JR Boulay
Community Expert
October 28, 2025

When set to ‘auto’, the initial text size is directly linked to the height of the field.
It's not an exact science, but this example should help you.

 

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
F
Fermpi
New Participant
October 27, 2025

I'm having the same issue, but in my case the default text on 'Auto' mode is too small and you can barely read it. I wish we could control it and then if the text is too long it would shrink according to the space available. 

P
p33183694l4mw
New Participant
October 26, 2023

The initial size for auto mode seems like a very basic function we are missing in Acrobat. Let's say you have a box of a specified size you want people to fill in with text. If they want to write more than you expected, you want the text to shrink accordingly. At the same time if they just write one word you do not want that word to be as huge as the box. It dominates the document's appearance and puts less important value in the center of attention.
"Auto, start from:" would solve the problem. Not that much to ask for very expensive subscription.

    try67
    try67Correct answer
    Community Expert
    May 29, 2020

    Not possible. You can set a field's font size to Auto or to a fixed value, but not both.
    What you can do, though, is use a script to set change the font size based on the length of the text in the field, but it will only update the display when you exit it and the value is committed.

    J
    jimmymac2Author
    New Participant
    May 31, 2020

    Thanks all.

    Was afraid that might be the case.

    Not script savvy so will have to do some research on that.

    It is interesting though that sometimes the default auto font size is different for different fields. Another joyous Acrobat oddity.

    J
    jimmymac2Author
    New Participant
    May 31, 2020

    Why is that an "oddity"? If the fields have different sizes then it's only normal that the automatic font size used in them is different.


    What I find odd is that default auto font size isn't necessarily larger for larger multi-line fields.  Sometimes it's the same font size, sometimes it's larger. Doesn't seem to have a clear correlation to the field.

    J
    jimmymac2Author
    New Participant
    May 29, 2020

    Also note that my "default auto" is a multiline situation which may cause addiitonal limitation to what's possible.

    jane-e
    jane-e
    Community Expert
    May 29, 2020

    "For me, it seems to be 14pt."

     

    Hi

    What happens when you change the height for your text field and use Auto for the size?

     

    ~ Jane

     

     

    J
    jimmymac2Author
    New Participant
    May 29, 2020

    Hi Jane,

    That works if the field is not set for multi-line, but when it's multi-line, adjusting the field size isn't affecting the default auto pt size (from an increasing perspective).

    It is a challenge...

     

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