Printing a fillable PDF form with scrolling text fields

[peggyf1015]

Is there a way to show all typed text typed into a scrolling text field when you print a fillable PDF form even if all of the text is not visible on screen (because it extends the text box)?

[try67]

You can set the font size to Auto before printing it, or copy it to another location (where there's more place). Either solution will require using a script, though.

[peggyf1015]

Do you know the script for "font size Auto?"

My boss is concerned that the type may print incredibly small if it is set to Auto though. This is an employee evaluation form and she says supervisors often have a lot to say

But I'll try it and run it past her.

Is your 2nd suggestion to simply include a 2nd document? If so, she's against that.

[try67 · Accepted solution]

The basic code is something like this:

this.getField("FieldName").textSize = 0;

You can add it under the document's WillPrint event, and then change it back in the DidPrint event.

Regarding my second suggestion: It doesn't have to be a separate file. It can be done using hidden pages that are spawned especially for this purpose and deleted after the file is printed. I've developed similar scripts for some clients in the past so if you're interested in hiring someone to develop it for you, you can contact me via try6767 at gmail.com to discuss it further.

[peggyf1015]

Thank you for sharing the code.

The other option sounds intriguing, but I work for a state agency funded by tax payer dollars. I'll run the idea past my supervisor, but I doubt they will be able to outsource this.

Thanks for your help!

[TimCarey72]

Where do I put that code?  I filled out a form pdf from the state of Wisconsin and when it chops off the text.  I have Acrobat DCI am pulling my hair out.

[TimCarey72]

Where do I put that code?  I filled out a form pdf from the state of Wisconsin and when printed it chops off the text.  I have Acrobat DCI am pulling my hair out.

[try67]

If you want it changed just before the document is printed then under Tools - JavaScript - Set Document Actions - Will Print.

And then under the Did Print event add another code to change it back to its original font size, whatever that may be.

[shirley_6619]

Hello - I also need some guidance. I need to print the contents of the multi line text box. I have edited the javascript as you describe, but it is not working. Not sure how to correct. Please help! 

[try67]

Do NOT use the Edit JavaScripts command to do this! You can seriously mess up the file if you do.

Only edit it via the Document Actions interface.

The code itself looks fine, but I don't know if the field names you specified are correct. Are there error messages in the JS Console when you use it? Can you share the file with us?

[shirley_6619]

I believe that I used the correct field name since I took it directly from the Field Properties

Regarding Javascript, I am working on a MAC. I click on Document Actions and a box appears and is labeled JavaScript Editor.  I click okay and Save. Yet when I print the multiple lines are not showing up.

[shirley_6619]

I think I now understand what the problem is. Even when I write a smaller font, the box isn't stretching to show the text. What is the script to have the box resize to show all the text?

[try67]

There isn't such a script. The property only changes the text size, not the box size.

You need to change the size of the text to fit the box, not the other way around. The best option is to use the Auto font size (set textSize to 0 to do that). That will ensure the text fits in the field, unless it's way too long for it.

[shirley_6619]

Thank you, I understand. I switched to Auto. Are the Appearance Settings correct for Auto?

[try67]

If you have Scroll Long Text enabled then the text will just scroll when it reaches the end of the field, and then some of it might not be visible on the printed copy.

[shirley_6619]

If Scroll Long Text is unchecked will the box grow with the text? I wish there wa a setting to actually set this feature.

[try67]

No. This is only possible using a very complex script (but it doesn't "push" the rest of the page's contents with it), or if you convert your form to a special kind of PDF file called a Dynamic XFA-Form (but you can't do that with Acrobat).

[shirley_6619]

Well thank you anyway. So the bottom line is that faculty who "fill in" this form will only be able to see their extended text with Multi line & Scroll Long Text checked.  I am trying to facilitate ease of review of these forms for faculty, who for the most part are not tech literate. I want to print out the forms and show the contents of the text box for them in a single view.

To print the form for them, I can write the code in Document Print and specify the size to be much smaller.

I should also be able to set properites uncheck Scroll Long Text, set to Auto and the script at 0; but that doesn't want to work (is this correct?)

Any other suggestions? You wrote about a second page. I don't know how to make that work. 

[BMG05]

Hello,

For some reason "auto" is not an option for font size in my drop down menu (undre Appearance). Do you know how to work around that so I can create a text box that will capture all text when printing (avoiding scrolling).

Thank you kindly,

[try67]

Use the code that's marked as the correct answer for this question.

[Fergsc]

Hi,

What is the code for the Did Print field?  Thanks

[Yusuf5FFE]

yusufbashir711@gmail.com

[Tiffany308562688evg]

Hi there I have multiple feilds that scroll in our document, when I put the willprint event code in I don't know how to make it apply to all 16 feilds. How do I make the code applicable to all of the scrolling feilds? 

[try67]

Duplicate that line of code, once for each field. It's also possible to do it using an array.

[Tiffany308562688evg]

Thank you! I feel silly, I was leaving out the semi colon between or trying to add them all in a string with commas between in the same line of code duh! Very new to this and appreicate your support on these threads. I'm learning a lot.