PDF 2 text fields must be filled in for the comments section to be readable

[Ashley5E16]

I am extremely new to JavaScript.
I have 2 different text fields named, item and quantity. I want those 2 fields to be filled out in order to be able to fill out the comments field.

I know I need an if statement. I don't know where it is supposed to go. I tried putting it in the custom calculations script, but I'm not even sure if that's right. I know the script is not even right.  If someone could help me out I would greatly appreciate it. But could you also explain the answer in detail.

Also is read only the only way you can deactivate/disable a field. Is there a way to make it so you cannot click in the field?

if (event.value=="" && this.getField("Quantity").value="";)
this.getField("Comments").readonly = false;
else
this.getField("Comments").readonly = truse;

[try67]

You have several errors in the code. Also, I would move the code to the custom calculation script of the Comments field. It can be something like this:

if (this.getField("Item").valueAsString=="" || this.getField("Quantity").valueAsString="") {
	event.target.readonly = true;
	event.value = "";
} else {
	event.target.readonly = false;
}

I also added a command to reset the field when it is set as read-only, you'll notice. Otherwise whatever the user entered into it will remain there, and they won't be able to edit it any longer...

[Ashley5E16]

Thank you for your fast response. However I am getting a error message. It says "invalid assignment left-hand side". And it highlights this line . I am not familiar with this message

event.target.readonly = true;

[try67]

I tried posting a reply but it seems to have been lost in the ether... Anyway, you can use this code as the custom calculation script of the Comments field to do it:

if (this.getField("Item").valueAsString=="" || this.getField("Quantity").valueAsString="") {
	event.target.readonly = true;
	event.value = "";
} else {
	event.target.readonly = false;
}

[ls_rbls]

Use the script as custom calculation script of the "Comments" field, something like this should work fine:

if (this.getField("Quantity").value !=="") event.target.readonly = false;
else event.target.readonly = true;

open the "Prepare Form", select "Properties " from the context menu and see slide below to see where you need to place this line of code:

[ls_rbls]

Sorry again, try67.  Seems like I'm always crashing into the discussions almost at the same time as you. I didn't see you already answered.

[Ashley5E16]

Thank you for your fast reply. But this this equation take into account that both fields need to be empty? I appreciate the visuals as well.

[ls_rbls]

Then like this: 

if ((this.getField("Item").value !=="")&&(this.getField("Quantity").value !=="")) event.target.readonly = false;
else event.target.readonly = true;
 

[Ashley5E16]

I entered your equation like you said and it doesn't save in the custom calculations. I click edit, enter the equation, and click save and it remains blank.

[ls_rbls]

I made a mistake, but try67 code is the correct answer.

You original inquiry stated: 

• I have 2 different text fields named, item and quantity. I want those 2 fields to be filled out in order to be able to fill out the comments field.

So that means the custom calc script needs a little tweak.

Out of my respect towards try67,  I would let him handle the rest of the conversation.

I consider him my mentor in JavaScript scripting, and it is mostly from his direct guidance that I am able to contribute with some spontaneous creativity.

It wasn't my intention to jump in in this discussion like that.

[Ashley5E16]

Thank you for your help. I am learning from both of you so I greatly appreciate it

[Ashley5E16]

Okay, combining both of your equations and using the validation section instead of the calculation section, I was able to enter the following code:

if ((this.getField("Item Code").value !=="")&&(this.getField("Quantity").value !=="")) {
event.target.readonly = true;
event.value = "";
} else {
event.target.readonly = false;}

However it makes the field read-only all of the time. Does anyone know what is wrong? It should only be readable if text is entered into both fields.

[try67]

It seems fine... Are there any error messages in the JS Console after you change the value of one of the fields?

[Ashley5E16]

I don't see an error in the JS console.

But I was wondering if I could do something like this. Since there needs to be something entered into both the item and quantity fields in order for the comments section to be readable, then could I use something like this? I get a syntax error, but could it work?

if ((this.getField("Item Code").value.length > 0)&&(this.getField("Quantity").value.length > 0))) {
event.target.readonly = false;

} else {
event.target.readonly = true;}

[try67 · Accepted solution]

Yes, but it's not different from the other code... However, you should be using valueAsString instead of value.

Try this:

if (this.getField("Item Code").valueAsString.length > 0 && this.getField("Quantity").valueAsString.length > 0) {
event.target.readonly = false;
} else {
event.target.readonly = true;
}

[Ashley5E16]

It worked! Thank you. One question, why should you use valueasstring? When should you use that versus value

[try67]

The value property can return a value of various types: string, number, boolean or even an array (object, technically). That means comparing it to another value (like an empty string) can fail. If you use valueAsString the result will always be a string, so you could safely compare it to another string and know you're comparing apples to apples, not apples to oranges. Also, the value property is read/write, while valueAsString is read-only, so you can't accidentally overwrite the original value if you make a mistake using it.