Split up Text Boxes in Acrobat

[mcwade]

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!

[Bernd Alheit · Accepted solution]

For the text you can use read-only form text fields.

[try67 · Accepted solution]

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.

[Bernd Alheit]

Have you used form text fields for the text?

[mcwade]

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]

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

[mcwade]

They are not grouped together in the Fields box.

[Bernd Alheit · Accepted solution]

For the text you can use read-only form text fields.

[mcwade]

Bernd - just to clarify - I should not create the text boxes when using the Edit Tools.  I should do in the Prepare Form section and use "Add a Text Field" as opposed to "Add Text".  Thanks so much, just trying to clarify.

[Bernd Alheit]

Yes, you can use read-only form text fields.

[mcwade]

And set the text I want in the Default Value under Options tab?

[B.A.S.I.C.S., LLC]

I think I see what you did.  When you added the "labels", each should be in their own text box.  For example, "Date" and "District" appear to be in one text box.  Cut out the word "District," resize the box for "Date" and then add a new text box for "District."  The same with "Contract Owner," "Address," "Permit/Case No," and "Inspection Code."  They appear to all be in the same text box.  You need to add a new text box for each "label."

[mcwade]

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.

[B.A.S.I.C.S., LLC · Accepted solution]

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.

[B.A.S.I.C.S., LLC]

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

[mcwade]

Here is a photo of what I have.  Thanks!

[try67 · Accepted solution]

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.

[mcwade]

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]

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!