Using Acrobat Pro XI to create Reader Extended forms with fillable fields for saved data within, is there any special save/setup/export required to make these forms fillable and savable using Reader on an iPad or Android mobile?
(I have an Android phone with the Adobe Reader app installed, and when I view a fillable PDF form that works perfectly on my laptop with Reader, I cannot even click into a field on the phone...)
You don't need to do anything special, though I don't know why it's not working on your phone. Just make sure it's actually being opened in Reader and not some other PDF viewer.
I am certainly using Reader; I'm using specifically-downloaded Adobe Reader apps on both my Android phone and on my iPad.
The result is identical in both cases: I can't place the cursor within a field, I can't make an action button of NEXT> go to the next page, I can't get a PRINT button to launch a print window, etc.
It's as if forms aren't forms at all, but 'flat' PDFs -- even though the exact same PDF works perfectly with Reader on a Windows laptop...
George, no offense but replies of 'could be' and 'should be' are of no value -- especially when I am certain the fields are not working as they 'could be' or 'should be'.
It would help if I could look at a file that doesn't work for you, but I can only test on an iOS device. If you can't post one online somewhere and provide a link, I'd be happy to take a look at a sample if you want to email one to me: acroscript at gmail dot com
What is also interesting is that the 'checkbox' form field DOES work (and posts content to another text field as it was set up to do) on the converted FormsCentral PDF on both iPad and Android...
It turns out that the problem was that the file had security applied so that changes were disallowed, though form filling was allowed. This is fine for forms when using the desktop versions of Reader, but the mobile versions can't handle this yet. So the fix is to simply Reader-enable the forms and not use any security restrictions if it needs to work with mobile Reader.
Also, regarding navigation buttons, if you use "Go to a page view" type actions for buttons, they will work on mobile versions of Reader, unlike "execute menu item" type actions or JavaScript (e.g., pageNum = 1). The trick on a mobile device is to tap the button, and not hold it down and then release.
It is disappointing. Other forms-capable PDF viewers (on iOS at least) work fine when security restrictions are applied.
I also wanted to clarify something I wrote earlier. Forms used on mobile devices to not need to be Reader-enabled in order for them to be saved, but this is necessary for users with desktop versions (Win/Mac) prior to version 11, so it's usually a good idea to Reader-enable them.
Yes, now I see that running the form through FormsCentral as instructed in the infographic I linked to above merely made the PDF unsecured, and that's why the forms fields worked.
So using FormsCentral for this issue is not a solution.
And just so people reading this post might understand exactly what George is referencing in regards to nav buttons for mobile in Reply 10 above, those settings can be reconfigured under Forms>Edit, then double-click the button in question to get the Properties window to appear, and then change the settings under the Actions tab.
I have a form which I cannot get to work on the android phone is there any way if I emailed to someone they could have a look for me. Not to clued up on these issues.
I have specifically purchased Adobe Acrobat Pro DC to create forms that are fillable on both laptop and mobile devices. After creating the form I have discovered that Adobe does not support mobile devices. Even though their website specifically states that by using (purchasing) the Adobe Acrobat Pro DC software makes form accessible and fillable across all platforms. I have countess hours reading and discussing this issue wiht Adobe only to be told that Adobe does not support this feature. What a HUGE disappointment and quite frankly a blatant example of false or misleading advertising.
Does anyone know how to enable the form to be filled out on android platforms?
It is June, 2018 and this is still an issue for mobile devices, including the iPad. How has adobe not fixed this? The 'authors' of a series of fillable forms (hundreds of hours having gone into them) should not have to reveal the nuts and bolts to users of iPads and mobile devices. Adobe, please do not abandon this topic. Kdan pdf does a better job on mobile devices. Still a bit off. Besides telling us not to use security, anyone know how to fix issues? Thanks.
So as I understand you: the Secure Form filling of form fields on mobile Acrobat Reader is NOT supported.
This is terrible! The probelm for us is not that the user can cange the form, but USABILITY. When trying to get fat fingers into the fill fileds you often hit the other "fileds" - the text on the form and it is really hard to get to the fill items.
So the message that announces "All Adobe products enforce the restrictions set ty the Permissions Password......" Is true EXCEPT for mobile Reader!
Any word from Adobe on support this feature anytime soon.
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