How do I auto populate a text field from multiple checkboxes?

[sharil56925222]

I'm working on a pdf form with 10 check boxes. I’d like the user to be able to select one or more checkboxes and have the text associated with each checkbox auto populate an editable text field. I entered the script below for the first two checkboxes "VL1" and "VL2" as a test, but the event value for both checkboxes doesn’t display at the same time. Only one shows. If this is working correctly, the user can create a list from the checkboxes and enter text for the TIMELINE, PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE, etc. for each. I am not familiar with JavaScript and am piecing this together from other posts (most useful to me was this one https://answers.acrobatusers.com/What-code-I-auto-populate-text-field-checkbox-activated-q215636.asp...). Perhaps there is an easier way to do this. Any help is greatly appreciated!

var v1 = this.getField("VL1").value;

if(v1 != "Off"){
event.value = "Video record a live session on a phone or computer and post it on YouTube or your organization’s website. \n\n TIMELINE-\n PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE-\n RESOURCES AVAILABLE-\n MEASURES OF SUCCESS-\n --------------------------------\n";
}

var v2 = this.getField("VL2").value;

if(v2 != "Off"){
event.value = "Collect videos or podcasts that you and your program staff would recommend that parents/caregivers view. Put these in one easy-to-find location and share the links with parents/caregivers. \n\n TIMELINE-\n PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE-\n RESOURCES AVAILABLE-\n MEASURES OF SUCCESS-\n --------------------------------\n";
}

[John T Smith]

Is this an Acrobat question... if now, which Adobe program?

[sharil56925222]

Yes I am creating the form in Acrobat DC. 

[Thom Parker]

So, did you enter this script as a calculation on the field that is displaying the text?

If so, then the script presents a conflict. There are two different check boxes with two different messages. What happens when both are checked? Are the messages added together? does one have presedence over the other?

[sharil56925222]

Yes I entered the script as a calculation on the text field. The problem is when both checkboxes are checked the message for VL2 erases the message for VL1 and I want both messages to show at the same time if the boxes are checked.

[try67 · Accepted solution]

Change this line:

event.value = "Collect videos..."

To:

event.value += "Collect videos..."

And add this to the top of your code:

event.value = "";

[sharil56925222]

That works perfectly! Thanks so much for your help and quick response. Much appreciated!

[sharil56925222]

I have a follow on question to this post. The code works to populate the feild when the check boxes are checked. I'd like to be able to edit the text in the feild after it populates. It doesn't seem like this is possible because when I type in the text then click out of the text feild, the new text I typed in disappears. Is there a way to allow the feild to be edited after it has been populated?

[ls_rbls]

Hey sharil this is late answer to your question.

Use this line at the beginning of  your custom calculation script:

if (event.source && event.source.name =="myField") {

//and add your code here

}

NOTE: Credit to Try67 who coached on me this.

[Thom Parker]

It is generally a bad idea to make a field that is both automatically set, and editable. To do this you need to clearly define when the field is in either state.  Does the user entry override any future changes to the check boxes, or do changes to the checkbox automatically override the entered value? 

One solution is to add another checkbox that explicitly allows for data entry.