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The order of the fields is different in acrobat

Explorer ,
Nov 14, 2018 Nov 14, 2018

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This is really driving me crazy.

After creating form fields in InDesign, the tab order in acrobat is completely different.

I have tried diverse strategies: drawing the form fields in the right order (one after the other), converting them to form fields in the right order, putting the field layers into order ...

A glance at "Set Tab Order" shows that everything is in perfect order (textfield 1, textfield 2 ...) – but once exported to acrobat everything is shuffled.

I am about to create a document with 1200+ textfields. My client wants it be highly accessible - so the right tab order is mandatory.

The prospect of shoving 1200 text fields into the right position really turns me down. Especially because this is a function that should be possible to work automated (sort by number, from left to right, sort by whatever ).

Does anybody have an idea, that could help me? I did my tries with InDesign CC 2019.

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correct answers 1 Correct answer

Community Expert , Nov 15, 2018 Nov 15, 2018

My preferred method to do this is to use the articles panel (available from the window menu).

Screen Shot 2018-11-16 at 01.06.54.png

The above screenshot shows a simple form I've used elsewhere and the tab order in which I would like the user to navigate through. To add items to the article panel, I drag and drop the relevant field into the articles panel from the page itself, and then when its item appears in the articles panel, I can then move it if it isn't in the appropriate position.

If it isn't already checked on, make sure to cl

...

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Community Expert ,
Nov 14, 2018 Nov 14, 2018

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You can drag the fields into the order you want them in. Make sure they all have different names. 1200 seems a lot, might be worth checking in the Acrobat forum.

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Explorer ,
Nov 14, 2018 Nov 14, 2018

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yes - 1200 is a lot. I did the "drag into order" thing with a 400 field pdf - and is a real pain.

Whats the next field? 239 - ok. Where 239? Scrolling, scrolling, scrolling. Ah here it is. Click and drag up and up and up - where is 238?

It took me about two days. But 1200? I can't spend a week dragging field names.

Especially if a software could do this within seconds ...

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Explorer ,
Nov 14, 2018 Nov 14, 2018

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okay - i did a little more of testing.

It appears that you need to create the fields in the right order. Dragging out one recangle after the other or alt-dragging the last one created. Acrobat will follow that order.

Other "non form" graphic elements like lines, images or text seem to cause problems.

Knowing this, my strategy will be:

1. make the general layout first,

2. export it as an image and

3. import it into a fresh document. Here I will

4. place all the form fields in place - one after the other.

Feels a little rediculous - but okay

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Community Expert ,
Nov 14, 2018 Nov 14, 2018

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If you want to do it in InDesign and you mess up on creating them in order, use the Layers panel to drag them up and down in the stacking order or try cut followed by paste-in-place.

This is easier in Acrobat, unless you expect to export multiple times.

For the non-form elements, put them on another layer and lock that layer. If you make a picture they won’t be editable and the person who follows you will hate you. That person could even be you!

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Explorer ,
Nov 15, 2018 Nov 15, 2018

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Okay - I am totally with you - and acrobats behaviour absolutly makes no sense. I tried putting the "non form" graphics on a locked layer and exported my test form fields in accurate order.

Once exported - Acrobat tabs around with no structure - BUT  ....

once I open the "form edit" mode, I saw that it was set to "tab order by structure".

When I change this to "Manual" it suddenly works.

I remembered checking the box "Use structure for tab acitvation order" in my PDF Export dialogue - because I thought it would transfer MY intended structure - which it obviously didn't. So unchecking this box solved the problem.

Anyway – I wish the Adobe InDesign Team would put a little effort in making form design more comfortable.

Thank you so much for putting your thoughts into this!

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Community Beginner ,
Jan 29, 2019 Jan 29, 2019

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I tired unchecking set tab order based on structure as well and it also came out jumbled on Acrobat DC

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Community Expert ,
Jan 29, 2019 Jan 29, 2019

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Hi Cindy, please show us three screen shots:

  • The tabs order panel (InDesign)
  • The Articles panel (InDesign)
  • The fields with the Tabs order with numbers in the Prepare Form tool (Acrobat)

Jane

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Community Beginner ,
Jan 29, 2019 Jan 29, 2019

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LATEST

thank you

Layers-articles-Indesign.pngprepare form tool.pngreading order check.png

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Community Expert ,
Nov 14, 2018 Nov 14, 2018

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Are you using layers? Instead of copying all the files to a new document you can just keep all the forms on a top layer (called forms?) unless you have the forms as anchored objects.

Lines can also be created with a character style with underline option.

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Community Expert ,
Nov 14, 2018 Nov 14, 2018

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It's hard to know whether it'd be worth pursuing without having seen the layout, but have you tried any of the tab-ordering options in Acrobat? If the fields are generally organized into rows and/or columns, there are functions for ordering them accordingly.

To be frank though, a single document with 1200 form fields may be destined to fail in one way or another, with or without a resolution of your tab order issue.

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Community Expert ,
Nov 14, 2018 Nov 14, 2018

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Are the fields all in one text flow as anchored objects. Forcing them in a text flow lets Acrobat know the order.

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Community Expert ,
Nov 15, 2018 Nov 15, 2018

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My preferred method to do this is to use the articles panel (available from the window menu).

Screen Shot 2018-11-16 at 01.06.54.png

The above screenshot shows a simple form I've used elsewhere and the tab order in which I would like the user to navigate through. To add items to the article panel, I drag and drop the relevant field into the articles panel from the page itself, and then when its item appears in the articles panel, I can then move it if it isn't in the appropriate position.

If it isn't already checked on, make sure to click the hamburger icon in the top right hand corner of the panel and select "Use for reading order in Tagged PDF".

Screen Shot 2018-11-16 at 01.09.27.png

Upon export of the file via interactive PDF, make sure the bottom right checkboxes (as highlighted in the next image) are checked on:

Screen Shot 2018-11-16 at 01.10.52.png

Just tested this in CC2019 and all good.

If the answer wasn't in my post, perhaps it might be on my blog at colecandoo!

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Community Expert ,
Nov 15, 2018 Nov 15, 2018

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https://forums.adobe.com/people/Colin+Flashman  wrote

My preferred method to do this is to use the articles panel (available from the window menu).

Great tip, Colin! (And don’t forget to bring me some Vegemite next November!)

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Community Beginner ,
Jan 29, 2019 Jan 29, 2019

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I tried this but when I open it in Acrobat Pro DC the reading order is completely jumbled.

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