Sort form field data alphabetically

[seano338]

Hi, is it possible to sort a list of names alphabetically in a form field. I don't want to use the list function, as the names change daily and I don't want to have to edit the form for my staff every time a new name appears. Is there a script that would automatically sort the names alphabetically in the form field.

Thanks

[try67]

You need to better explain your set-up, but yes, it is possible.

Does this field have a calculated value, or a user-entered one? How are the names separated from each other?

[seano338]

Thanks for replying.

I have a multi-line form box that has names in a list format, one underneath another, which are separated by a return. e.g.

Adan Smith

Eve Jones

Jane Doe

Etc.

The field has no calculated value, as I couldn't get my head round how it would work.

I'd like the form field to automatically sort the names alphabetically by their first names, is this possible using a script?

The form was previously in MS Word, but the staff keep wrecking the layout, so was hoping that a PDF form would stop this happening.

Thanks

[try67 · Accepted solution]

You can use this code as the field's custom validation script:

if (event.value!="") {
    var names = event.value.split("\r");
    names = names.sort(function(a,b) {if (a<b) return -1; if (a>b) return 1; return 0});
    event.value = names.join("\r");
}

And setting up a calculated value is not difficult at all... If you provide more details I could help with that as well.

[seano338]

Thank you so much, that works perfectly, amazing.

[onogoro]

Hello,

I batch scan hundreds of invoices into a scan folder. I need/want to use Adobe Acrobat DC to sort those hundreds of  invoices alphabetically, is that possible?  Please advise what steps I need to follow in Adobe in order to sort the batch scanned invoices alphabetically.

[Thom Parker]

This is a new question. Please ask it on a new thread.

[Mark22957345xbiv]

Hi, I have tried to type the advised code into the java script but its not working. 

I am trying to do the same thing...

a list of names first name and last name underneath one another and I would like to sort them alphabetically using a java script.

I went into mouse up function, enter java script and copied this 

if(event.value!=“”){ 

var names = event.value.split(“\r”);

names = names.sort(function(a,b){if(a<b)return -1; if(a>b)return 1; return0});

event.value=names.join(“\r”);

}

but it tells me that there is a syntax error in the second line "var names....".

Any advise would be majorly appreciated. I am a complete newbie with javascript so would be grateful for some advise.

Thank you

[Bernd Alheit]

Use " not ” for text strings.

[Mark22957345xbiv]

I am really sorry...what do you mean by that? What do I need to change within my code? Or do I need to put it somewhere else? I put it into Form Field "Action", "Mouse up", "Java Script"

Is that wrong for this code? Still trying to get my head around the whole Java script 🙈

[Bernd Alheit]

Replace ” with " in your script.

[Mark22957345xbiv]

Perfect. Thank you soooo much. It accepted the code now. Just sorting the names isn't working 🙈.

[try67]

Don't use Word for code! Only a plain-text editor, like Notepad++.

[Mark22957345xbiv]

I am using acrobat DC and a form field. Is that wrong? 

[try67]

The issue is with the code. As Bernd pointed out, you've used an incorrect character, namely the curly quotes. You can only use straight quotes in your code.

[Mark22957345xbiv]

I see. What a silly mistake. Thank you for pointing this out. It is taking the code now but unfortunately it is not sorting my name list alphabetically. 🙈

[Mark22957345xbiv]

Fixed it. I needed to put it under Calculations - Java Script not Actions. Thank you so much for your help.