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mcwade
Known Participant
November 5, 2020
Answered

Split up Text Boxes in Acrobat

  • November 5, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 19528 views

I have created a fillable PDF.  I created it completely in Acrobat Pro DC.   Now that the functionality is in place, I need to rearrange things a bit.  Somewhere along the way, it has combined individual text boxes in to one.    I don't see any easy to move a text box without moving 2 or more that I don't want to move.  Is there a way to split these up back into individual pieces?

Thanks!

Correct answer B.A.S.I.C.S., LLC

These were all added individually.  At some point when adding javascripts to the dropdowns, they had merged themselves into one. I remember when it happened, but didn't think it was a big deal, becasue I assumed I could split them apart.

 


I believe the only way you can split them is manual.  You will need to add new text boxes and cut and paste the text from the current text box to the new one.  Then resize the original text box.

3 replies

try67
Community Expert
try67Community Expert
Community Expert
November 5, 2020

It is an extremely bad idea to create a PDF file from scratch in Acrobat, as it's not a word-processing tool and should not be used as such. Create your file in Word or InDesign or something like that, and then convert it to a PDF, add form fields, scripts, etc.

If you need to make changes go back to the original file and make them there, then create a new flat PDF file and use the Replace Pages command to insert it instead of the old page. That will keep all the fields you added in tact.

    M
    mcwadeAuthor
    Known Participant
    November 5, 2020

    Thank you very much!!  Lesson Learned!!

    I started with a word file originally and we only needed about 20 % of the original version.  It didn't come over clean enough to clean up.  

     

    A lot to learn here.   I am a GIS Analyst who does some web and social media, so I then became the person in the organization to get Adobe products 2 months ago and expected to meet all Adobe needs within a department of 150 employees with zero training.  

     

    I appreciate the help you guys are giving me!

      B.A.S.I.C.S., LLC
      B.A.S.I.C.S., LLC
      Participating Frequently
      November 6, 2020

      It's not uncommon at all for unintentional formatting to occur when importing or exporting documents in and out of Adobe, respectively.  While it can definitely save a significant amount of time, depending on the size and complexity of the document, you will very often need to do some reformatting before proceeding.  Best of luck!

      B.A.S.I.C.S., LLC
      B.A.S.I.C.S., LLC
      Participating Frequently
      November 5, 2020

      It sounds like you may have grouped the text boxes.  Can you upload the file or an image of it?

      M
      mcwadeAuthor
      Known Participant
      November 5, 2020

      Here is a photo of what I have.  Thanks!

       

      Bernd Alheit
      Community Expert
      Bernd AlheitCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      November 5, 2020

      Have you used form text fields for the text?

      M
      mcwadeAuthor
      Known Participant
      November 5, 2020

      No.  I just used the Add Text Button under Edit PDF.  Then I went to Prepare Form to add all my input options.  Should I have these the Add Text tool under Prepare Form?

      B.A.S.I.C.S., LLC
      B.A.S.I.C.S., LLC
      Participating Frequently
      November 5, 2020

      If you used the add button, then they are grouped. Click "Prepare Form" to see if they are grouped together in the "Fields" toolbox.

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