Creating Javascript to conditionally format a fillable form field

Question

Hi - I've created a PDF Form with Acrobat. I'm automatically filling the form fields with data from a SmartSheet. I have some fields that I need to change the background fill color of depending on the content of the field, once filled. For instance, if the field value is "Green", I would want to change the background fill color of the field to Green, etc.

Would this be a Custom Format Script? It seems like it would be.

Can someone provide some assistance on what this code would look like? This is my first crack at using Javascript in Acrobat, so a bit lost. Here is my first attempt:

var status = this.getField("Risk/Issue 1 - Status Color");
if (status.value = "Green")
status.fillColor = color.green

But that results in the following error:

InvalidSetError: Set not possible, invalid or unknown.
Field.value:2:Field Risk/Issue 1 - Status Color:Format

I seem to be stuck at the starting gate. Any assistance is appreciated.

Tony

try67 · Accepted Answer

try67 - well, THAT definitely made some progress! The background color now changes, as expected based on the changing input text, per the scripting. HOWEVER, even though that works as expected when entering data manually, it is not being picked up when generating a document with these fields automatically filled from an external data source. Perhaps this has to do with WHEN the Javascript is running? Is there a way to adjust how/when the JS runs during a document generation process?

I'm using the Document Builder feature that is available in SmartSheet.com. I know that once we are talking about an integration between two technologies, things like this may start to get murky, but I'm hoping to find the magic combination of settings to get this to work. VERY close now thanks to your help.

Tony

Did you place the code above as a calculation script and added the doc-level command I provided? If so, after importing the data, save the file, close it and then re-open and the colors should change.

tackytony · Answer

Ok, so I'm making some progress. I've updated my Custom Format Script as below:

var status = this.getField("Current Status Color").value;

if (status == "Green") {
event.target.fillColor = color.green;
}
else {
if (status == "Yellow") {
event.target.fillColor = color.yellow
}
else if (status == "Red") {
event.target.fillColor = color.red
}
else if (status == "Blue") {
event.target.fillColor = color.blue
}
}

This "sort of" works.

1)For the automated form fill from SmartSheet, it doesn't do anything.

2)However, if I open the PDF in Acrobat and test it by manually typing in the field, it will change color - BUT only once I click into the field. If I click out of the field, the background color goes back to transparant.

I'm not sure if the two behavious are related, but it seems probable. Any suggestions on next steps?

Thanks,

Tony

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