Checkbox character font not recognized as a form field

[jg43511995]

I was asked by a client to create a pdf form from an InDesign file they had created. Their checkboxes were a simple rounded corner box pasted into the text as an anchored object. I made a pdf and Acrobat recognized the box as a checkbox and added the form fields. I was then asked to create additional new forms in Indesign and then create pdf forms. Rather than paste hundreds of the checkboxes as anchored graphics, I created a font from the original checkbox and made a paragraph/character style. That worked fine except that Acrobat now ignores the checkbox and won’t create a form field. I tried a bunch of different tests (changing sizes and colors of the checkbox font, converting the text to outlines, etc.) with no change. Interestingly, I can paste the original checkbox as an anchored object right next to the font version of the checkbox and Acrobat will add a form field to the anchored object and ignore the font version.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

Acrobat Pro DC 19.12.20034.328841

MacOS 10.14.1

[try67]

It might be possible to do it with a script, like this (paid-for) one I've developed that recognizes Wingdings characters and places check-boxes or radio-buttons on top of them: Custom-made Adobe Scripts: Acrobat/Reader -- Convert Wingdings To Fields

[jg43511995]

Thanks, I saw that before I posted the question. Already have workarounds, I'd like to know the reason/solution if any.

[try67]

We don't know how Acrobat identifies form fields, or why. It's basically trial-and-error. If it works, great. If not, you need to change it or do it differently.

[Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com]

johng43511995  wrote

...Rather than paste hundreds of the checkboxes as anchored graphics, I created a font from the original checkbox and made a paragraph/character style. That worked fine except that Acrobat now ignores the checkbox and won’t create a form field..,Any thoughts? Thanks.

Yes, that is what happens when a "faux checkbox" is made using a font character. Software, including Acrobat and other technologies, don't know what it is, so it's just another random character of text to them.

InDesign is a great program for making interactive PDF forms, but in order for the PDF to be interactive, the form fields must be real clickable, fillable, interactive form fields — not "faux checkboxes" from a font. You either add the real checkbox field in Acrobat, or you make a form field in InDesign and anchor it.

Plus, don't forget the programming behind the checkboxes to identify them as either mutually exclusive (like radio buttons) or not. And tooltips. And Tab Order. And overall Reading Order of the form. And accessibility if that's required.

The best, most efficient workflow is to create the real form fields in InDesign, anchor them into a correct reading order, set the tooltips and other requirements, and then output to PDF.

In our shop, we've found that with checkboxes, it's best to paste them as inline in front of or after their text label. So that makes it faster to design the form: create one checkbox form field and copy/paste it in front of or after its text label. Copy/paste. Copy/paste. You then need to customize the settings on each field.

Forms are very labor intensive, and it doesn't matter what kind of form your developing or what software you use. You must spend time on the details to construct a form that looks good, is interactive, and produces the results you need.

[jg43511995]

Thanks for the suggestions. Looks like copy/paste is still the best way to do it.