Why do linked form fields behave as unlinked on mobile?

[BurtonDev]

I created a PDF with linked text inputs (i.e. form fields with the same name).

The form fields work in Adobe Reader and Acrobat on a computer. However, on mobile these fields behave as though they are unlinked.

As a test, I entered data into the PDF on an iPad, saved it, and opened it on my computer.

On the iPad, I was able to type different data into the same-named text inputs (which shouldn't be possible).

On the computer I checked to see if Adobe Reader on the iPad renamed the fields - it didn't. Somehow, different data was maintained in the same-named fields until I entered new data. At that point, all the inputs updated to show the same value.

Why are linked form fields (specifically text inputs) behaving differently on computer versus mobile? Is this a bug and if so, will it be fixed?

[try67]

What app are you using on the iPad to display the PDF file?

[BurtonDev]

@try67 I see you all over the internet! You are helping a lot of people 🙂

Sorry I forgot that info. Adobe Reader was the culprit. It was giving me all kinds of problems too (like not showing form fields on a secured PDF).

[Thom Parker]

It all depends on the viewer. Most mobile PDF vierwers are total crap. They ignore the field names and other features. There are only two that are any good. Acrobat Mobile Reader and PDF Expert.

[BurtonDev · Accepted solution]

@Thom_Parker Thanks for your reply. Actually, Adobe Reader was the PDF viewer causing the problem. It caused me all kinds of other problems too (including not showing form fields on password secured PDF files).

I tried others including PDF Expert, which worked for the form fields but caused other problems (displayed a dotted stroke on a table as lines and recolored text to grayscale). The only one that worked with no issues was Xodo. I recommend that for anyome that has similar issues with using a PDF on the iPad.