unchecking radio buttons in fillable PDF

[_Judy_Gay_Buchholz_]

I want those checking check box to have the ability to uncheck a box (or radio button). For instance, if there's a question that says, "If you checked "yes" to 8a above, skip question 8b," but someone accidentally checks the radio button in 8b, how do they get BOTH radio buttons unchecked. Right now, there are two radio buttons for each statement -- one for yes, one for no. One can click "yes" and then change their mind and click "no" and "no" is checked and "yes" is unchecked. HOWEVER, I find no way to uncheck BOTH once one or the other has been checked.

How can that be done?

Thank you.

jgb

[gkaiseril]

In Acrobat set the value of the radio button group to "Off". You can also group check boxes and change the symbol, this will allow one to uncheck a checked button.

[_Judy_Gay_Buchholz_]

Thanks, Geo

But, the values listed for radio button is either "default" or something else -- but NOT off. At least I can't figure out where it might be.

As for the check boxes -- once checked they remain checked even when the other check box is checked. I need the corresponding box to become unchecked when the other (yes/no) box is checked.

Any advice?

thanks.

[gkaiseril]

(Judy_Gay_Buchholz) wrote:

Thanks, Geo

But, the values listed for radio button is either "default" or something else -- but NOT off. At least I can't figure out where it might be.

As for the check boxes -- once checked they remain checked even when the other check box is checked. I need the corresponding box to become unchecked when the other (yes/no) box is checked.

Any advice?

thanks.

The value is "Off" not "off". Capitalization is important in JavaScripting.

You might want to check the value of the radio button group when none are selected.

[_Meabh_]

use check boxes with the same field name but different export value, gives you the best of both worlds

HTH
Meabh

[Guest]

How about one radio button? I need one radio button to toggle on and off when the user clicks it repeatedly.

[gkaiseril]

A radio button does not toggle on or off, it toggles on and remains on until another radio button in the exclusionary group is toggled on. The form field received its name from the mechanical car radio buttons one use pushed in, it remained pused in until another button on the radio was pushed in.

But could add a button to reset the radio button field.

[Guest]

thx!!  very very useful tip!

[Guest]

ok. well, we will have to sub in checkmarks as they toggle on and off. I hope Adobe will change that one day. thank you.

[Bill12]

A toogle is a Check box, not a Radio button. You are using the wrong tool. You can change the box to a circle and it will look the same as the radio button, but provides the functionality you have requested. Radio buttons are simply for selecting one item from a group of items by checking the button. Each button would be named the same, but have a different output.

[ujokasjdflkjawkfjasdf]

This is such a frustrating answer.  "You are using the wrong tool"....did you forget about the other property of the check box?  You can select more than one check box.  Maybe somebody is filling out a form, selects a radio button (out of let's say 3 choices) but then realizes "ehhh....this question isn't actually applicable to me"....well now they're screwed and have to get the clean un-filled out form and start over and make sure they don't touch the radio buttons.  That's just one of many examples of why you'd want to uncheck a radio button (I'm positive other people can think of others).  The functionality of only being able to select one is perfect, but there is just functionality missing from the tool because you should ALWAYS be able to just unselect it.  Or there should be another option that acts like a radio button (you can only choose one) BUT you can unselect the one you picked....your solution below is helpful and a good idea, but just that "No, YoU aRE usINg thE wROnG TOoL" attitude is frustrating.

[try67]

But you are... even if it annoys you.

And it was explained above how to create a group of check-boxes where only one can be selected at a time. To reiterate, give them the same name but unique export values.

[lf_877]

Thanks, this is exactly what I am trying to find an answer to today. I have several groups of radio buttons and only one button should be selectable in each group. BUT, it should also be possible to simply make no choice at all. To leave a group of buttons without a selection. I have read the answer above, check boxes, but do not understand how to proceed. If someone can explain in easy to understand English for someone who is not a seasoned Acrobat user I would be very grateful. Thank you!

[Tariq Ahmad Dar]

Hi @lf_877,

Here is a similar discussion: https://adobe.ly/4aBUBbp which talks about grouping check-boxes

Let us know if that answers your question.

~Tariq

[Bill12]

You could always add another radio button to basically turn the others off. You could make it filled so it will not appear checked or unchecked, just act like a reset. In that case, you would still have to provide something to be sent, like a null.

[Guest]

excellent tip bill. thanks

[joshww]

you can uncheck radio buttons in acrobat 6........... why not 9?

[~graffiti]

Sounds like they were not radio buttons. Maybe check boxes that looked like radio buttons (round)

joshww wrote:

you can uncheck radio buttons in acrobat 6........... why not 9?

[gkaiseril]

you can uncheck radio buttons in acrobat 6........... why not 9?

I have never seen a single radio button unchceck in any version of Acrobat from version 4 on up.

One can use an appearance of 'Circle' to make a check box look like a radio button. So you need to carefully look at the form field properties to see what type of form field you are dealing with. Both radio buttons and check boxes have the same appearance options and both have a value of 'Off' in JavaScript when unchecked, and the value of the 'Export Value' when a given widget is selected.

[Bill12]

These are the same properties as in most form structures, including HTML. It is not an Acrobat issue, but a common use definition of forms. The difference between buttons and check boxes provides the different forms of functionality requested by design.

[Machine76]

Hello,

I hope this helps you out! Go to Forms>Clear Form.

Regards

[smehrdad]

Have you been able to uncheck a toggle checkbox finally--I want the unfilled situation back! And obvioiusly, I dont want to reset the whole form!

[Bill12]

As mentioned, just add a 3rd radio button that is to clear the other 2. You can set that button so nothing really displays, but it appears as a button to push as a reset. You might even make it round to have it appear differently.

[Ross248965884ae9]

If you have a question that is for example "Are you married?" if you select "No" skip this section or "Yes answer the following questions".  Use your check boxes to Show/hide the radio buttons.  I.e.  Are you married.   (X) Yes  answer question 1 through 5 or "( ) No skip this section"

If you Check box Yes,  go to 1. Properties, 2. Actions 3.  Select "Show/hide a field  4. Add, 5 Select "Married Group" radio buttons, 6. Select Show.   For "Married No" Select Hide.  This will take away the option to select any radio buttons if they are not needed.

[LilliesCareTeam]

It is actually quite simple, I consistently experienced the same issue and checked all over google and adobe and it led me nowhere until I experimented, and the solution has worked perfectly for the last 5 yrs. The issue of accidentally selecting the wrong radio button when filling out a form selection will not allow you to remove it without clearing the form and starting over. Convert the document to Microsoft word.  With/without making additional changes to your document; convert it back to Adobe/Acrobat DC, click the edit button, point the mouse on the bubble and click delete to remove the selection, you can choose to select another or leave it blank. Continue to edit your doc and save. I have tried this for years, especially when downloading a fillable document from the web that will not allow you to possibly type, change or modify particular content. This even works for the annoying warning message regarding editing with LiveCycle.

Warning