Form Fields with text pre-filled

[lthake]

I have an InDesign form that will be distributed to University employees as a pdf.

The client asked if I could have a $ sign already filled into some of the fields, because these are fields where the employees is supposed to list expenses.

Giving them the $ will serve as a prompt.

So when they place a cursor into the field, it's going to be to the right of the $ and they start typing a number in.

How do I do that?

[John Mensinger]

I would just make it part of the static text preceding the field:

[lthake]

Thank you, but that doesn't really solve the problem, it's just a work-around. I'd still like to know if it's possible before I resort to a work- around.

[Barb Binder]

Hi lthake :

No, not in InDesign which only offers some of the form controls that Acrobat does. You can define a default value in Acrobat via Text Field Properties > Options.

~Barb

[lthake]

Barb, this looks promising, but after looking for 5 minutes, I can't find this Text Field Properties box that you're showing. Help!

[John Mensinger]

BarbBinder  wrote

You can define a default value in Acrobat via Text Field Properties > Options.

True, but it is live in the field, and only stays until something else is entered. The user would still have to take measures to avoid overwriting it, or they'd just have to enter the symbol with their numbers anyway.

Better; on the Format tab, you can get closer to what the OP wants...

[lthake]

Found it. They sure could have made that easier to access. Thanks Barb, you rock!

[John Mensinger]

lthake  wrote

that doesn't really solve the problem, it's just a work-around

We disagree. You need the $ to be static and to the left of the field, so really a "problem" doesn't exist; only the need for a method.

If there is a a problem that results from insistence that the $ must be within the field, I'd contend that insistence is the problem, unless you can offer a compelling reason that the $ must be within the field.