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SilSanders
SilSanders
Participating Frequently
March 29, 2018
Answered

InDesign Set Tab Order Scambles

  • March 29, 2018
  • 3 replies
  • 3134 views

I am using InDesign to create a 100+ page document where about half the pages contain forms with 8-12 fields that can be edited by the eventual user.

I am using Set Tab Order to set the order that the fields should be accessed on each page.

On some pages, the form's tab order is correct in the pdf.  On others, it is scrambled from how I set it.  When I look again at the InDesign page with the scrambled order, indeed InDesign agrees that the order is scrambled.

How can I stabilize the tab order of all these pages of fillable-forms?

BTW - I'm using the latest InDesign CC (13.0 x64)

Thanks.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Monica Singh

Hi SilSanders,

InDesign has gone live with a newer version, InDesign CC 2018.1, it has some related fixes. Update is available through Creative Cloud.

Please update your InDesign and re-try your document.

Let me know if you still face the issue.

Thanks

Monica Singh

3 replies

D
denisepmyers
Participating Frequently
June 16, 2020

I am using InDesign 2020 and still having this problem. I have several legal forms, ~10 page 8.5 pt. font where the one story contains all text with several form fields pasted inline with text. Some of the fields are in tables, also, in the same story. Set Tab Order works, but as soon as you reopen the document, tab order gets scrambled again. I've found a work around which is to select all text, cut and then paste it back in right before exporting to PDF. While this is at least faster and easier than using "Set Tab Order", as soon as you reopen the document the tab order scrambles again. Downside is that it renames all the form fields adding a number that increases each time you copy paste. 

DM
Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com
Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com
Legend
June 16, 2020

Try controlling your stacking order in the Layers panel, as well as controlling the Articles panel. Both sequence different parts of a PDF, including the TAB order (tabbing from form-field to form-field), as well as the Tag order (for accessible tagged PDF) and the architectural construction order (used by all technologies).

 

The Layers Panel = bottom up. That is, the bottom-most item is read first, then up the panel to the top. If you have more than one layer, consider merging them (flattening) because items are read layer-by-layer as well. Bottom-most layer 1st, then the next, and so on to the top-most layer.

 

The Articles Panel = top down. The top-most item in the 1st article is read first, and so on down the panel.

 

|    Bevi Chagnon   |  Designer, Trainer, & Technologist for Accessible Documents ||    PubCom |    Classes & Books for Accessible InDesign, PDFs & MS Office |
    D
    denisepmyers
    Participating Frequently
    June 25, 2020

    Thanks for the reply, but I'm not sure if this helps. My document only has one layer with one master page (header/footer). It is a 9 page document with only one story that flows through all 9 pages. All tables and form fields are anchored inline with text. Tables have form fields anchored inline with text inside the table cells. 

    DM
    SilSanders
    SilSandersAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    March 29, 2018

    That seems to have fixed things up quite a bit.

    Thanks!

    Monica Singh
    Adobe Employee
    Monica SinghCorrect answer
    Adobe Employee
    March 29, 2018

    Hi SilSanders,

    InDesign has gone live with a newer version, InDesign CC 2018.1, it has some related fixes. Update is available through Creative Cloud.

    Please update your InDesign and re-try your document.

    Let me know if you still face the issue.

    Thanks

    Monica Singh

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