How do I change appearance states for checkboxes in InDesign CS6?

there is a solution. thanks, vinny:

This is due to the (annoying) "Highlight existing fields" feature. You can turn it off in Acrobat, but be aware this is an application setting, not a document one. So, even if the PDF is displayed fine for you, this feature might be turned on in any other user application. Now, here comes the trick: you can use a small JavaScript code in order to turn it off by default while opening the PDF. In Acrobat Pro, go Tools > JavaScript > Document JavaScripts, create a new Script (name it as you wish), click add and replace the existing bit by: app.runtimeHighlight = false; Click OK and you are done.

Thankfully, there is a solution to this!

(Following export from InDesign)...

• With your file open in Acrobat, enter the editing state (Tools > Prepare Form).
• Right click on your checkbox (or ctrl+click on mac, cmd+click on windows) and choose 'Properties' from the context menu.

• In the properties panel, select the 'Options' tab
• In the 'Options' tab, select preferred 'Check Box Style' from the drop-down menu. (The options are: Check, Circle, Cross, Diamond, Square, & Star)

Just as in the Buttons and Forms panel in InDesign, you have the additional options to enter an 'Export Value', and/or choose to have the checkbox selected by default. BUT... if all you want to change is the style of the 'checkmark', you don't need to fiddle with either of these.

• Close the window.
• Hit the preview button to exit the editing mode and test your new style.
• Done!

I stumbled on this 4yr old post only months ago - on a search for the same solution.

Figured I'd leave my solution here in case someone else finds themselves in the same predicament!

Hope this helps!

BUMP!

Desired Look (http://cl.ly/2K0k1x1W0H2z/desired%20look.tiff)

Exported PDF (http://cl.ly/1U0V471k1z1W/test.pdf)

I am having the same problem as Mykel. Using CS6, I've created a form and added checkboxes. I had a request that I customize the checkboxes to make them easier to see when checked. I adjusted the states of the checkbox and they seemed to function well....but only in Acrobat Pro X. When I open the PDF in Acrobat Reader XI, then the checkboxes act strangely. (Most of the end users will be using Acrobat Reader, so this is a concern.) When intially checked, they appear in the modified way that I want them to. However, as soon as the user clicks somewhere else on the page, the modified checkbox reverts to the default checkbox with a tick mark in it instead.

I'm exporting the PDF as an interactive PDF and have tried various settings. I've also experimented with creating a checkbox from scratch rather than modifying a provided checkbox. All to no avail. I'd welcome any thoughts or suggestions anyone may have. Hoping I've just missed a step in the process!

Here are links to my original CS6 InDesign document and the PDF:

https://workspaces.acrobat.com/?d=w15hEhbZV4LmGFdQYL-1pA

https://workspaces.acrobat.com/?d=5rdmI1K-LG8iFoFC4FTRdA

I found a solution to this.

When you choose an interactive element (say checkbox, radio button, etc) you are able to choose the different states of the button by clicking on those states in the Button and Forms panel. In order to edit the buttons, click the state you wish to edit and go to your button. Select it with White Arrow (A) and then you can modify the individual state... i.e. change color, delete parts, perhaps draw too...

I hope this is useful to you. Try it and let me know.