Participant

Answered

InDesign text fields not detected in PDF by Acrobat

Forum|Forum|7 months ago
June 4, 2025
3 replies
1218 views

InDesign 20.3.1. Mac Sonoma 14.7.6. Most recent Acrobat Pro.

So I create a rectangle, use Object > Create Text Field, then set options in the Buttons and Forms panel. I export to PDF using Interactive PDF settings, with Interactive Elements set to Include Appearance. When I open the PDF (in Acrobat Pro OR Reader), it doesn't recognize the text field at all.

What am I doing wrong?

Import and export

Correct answer BobLevine

You appear to be exporting Adobe PDF (Print). You must use Adobe PDF (Interactive)

Mike Witherell

Community Expert

You are so right, Bob. Well done!

Mike Witherell

Community Expert

Hi Ian,

Object > Interactive > Convert to Text Field

But Include Appearance Only would kill off the interactivity.

Instead you would choose Forms and Media: Include All when exporting to Interactive PDF

Mike Witherell

BobLevine

Community Expert

Hi Mike,

Take another look at the second screenshot. The OP is exporting a print PDF with a preset called Interactive PDF.

I

ian_4072Author

Participant

Thanks. I don't have "Include All" as an option when exporting—only Do Not Include and Include Appearance:

BobLevine

Correct answer

Community Expert

You appear to be exporting Adobe PDF (Print). You must use Adobe PDF (Interactive)

I

ian_4072Author

Participant

OK that was it. I guess it's not possible to create an Interactive PDF from the PDF Presets menu, you have to go to Export and then select PDF (Interactive)?

BobLevine

Community Expert

That is correct!

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded