Why can't I change the format in multiple fields?

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
May 23, 2018
2 replies
11771 views

Why can't I select a number of form fields and change all their formatting at one time? For example, change a column of text fields to number fields. As it is, I have to change one field at a time. It's laborious, to put it mildly. I understand that it's probably easier to start from the beginning by defining the field as a number. However, when I use "Use current properties as new default", it still requires that I still have to go back to each one and change the decimal places.

This topic has been closed for replies.

try67

Community Expert

You can, using a script, like this one I've developed:

http://try67.blogspot.com/2012/06/acrobat-apply-format-to-multiple-fields.html

G

gkaiseril

Inspiring

One can use JavaScript to access each field in turn and and change the properties of the individual field. Or when I am creating a column(s) of fields I create one row with the formatting I want. If some calculation is required, then I have to create a custom calculation that can determine the row to be processed and adjust the field names as necessary. And then I highlight the row and use "Create multiple copies" form the context menu, right mouse click.

J

johnmc9779693Author

Participating Frequently

Apparently, I wasn't clear. I apologize. I'm new at this. What I want to do is take a column of text fields and change ALL of them from none or text to the number format without having to do it one field at a time. I want to select the entire column and change ALL the fields from one format to another. When I try "Use current properties as new default" in an attempt to create the number fields with NO decimal places, it keeps defaulting to two decimal places which means that I still have to go back and change all of them one field at a time. It's the effectively same amount of effort that it takes to change the format and decimal places one at a time and I've gained nothing. I don't understand why something like this can't simply be done on an entire group of fields.

Thom Parker

Community Expert

I've seen a few posts showing how to do this on a specified array where you have to type in each field. Is there a way to call the current selection as a variable instead of having to manually type them in?

Unfortunately no.

What you can do is write a script to find and set the formatting.

Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded