How to LINK two or more Text Field

[_stevan_krajnjan_]

I have already asked once to get help with creating a link between two text fields (two fields created with a text tool) so that when text reached the end of one text field it will simply go into another. The given explanation was not specific enough. If you know how to do this and are willing to help, would you PLEASE give me SPECIFIC instructions, step-by-step on how this is done. Please do not assume that I have worked with the Adobe Acrobat program all my life. Thanks :)

[George_Johnson]

You need to clarify a few things. First, are you talking about text form fields?

If so, are they single line or multiline fields? How, exactly do you want this to behave? For example, what if the end of the field is reached before a word is complete? Are you creating the form in Acrobat of LiveCycle Designer? Have you done any JavaScript programming in Acrobat or Designer? The more details you provide the better.

George

[_stevan_krajnjan_]

Hi George... thanks for your response. This is the information that I can give you. I am using Adobe Acrobat 7 to create my PDF documents. The fields are single line fields (I have several of these under one annother and I want to make sure that the text that comes to an end continues into the other field). If the text comes to an end before it can be completed, I want it to continue into the following line, automatically. The forms thta I have are created in Adobe Acrobt 7 by simply using a text field tool. I have not done any Java programming at all. It was my impression that this is a quite a normal task for which there should be a very simple solution within the tools that are already presnt in the program. Looking forward to your response!

[George_Johnson]

This is possible, but I woudn't say it's a normal thing to do. The Acrobat JavaScript reference does have some sample code for just this situation:

// Move to next field when this one is full

if (event.fieldFull) {

    getField("NameOfNextFieldGoesHere").setFocus();

}

This is intended to be placed as the custom Keystroke script for the first field. You'd have to replace "NameOfNextFieldGoesHere" in the code above with the actual name of the second field that you're using. The first field should be set up with a font size other than "Auto" and the "Scroll long text" property should be unchecked. It's also not perfect as is, but should get you started.

George

[kyle.christian]

This isn't working for me. I copied/pasted the code you have, and still I getting only one line that will not flow into the next text field.

[Thom Parker]

See this thread:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat/custom-format-script-go-to-new-line-when-full-utilizing-copy-...

If you still need advice, then please post your question to a new thread. 

[Tomas35385607kgss]

you need to set the limit of characters for the first textbox to be able to automatically move down to the next text box

[Sarah Y]

Hi there

I've got FirstName and LastName as two fields due to pre-filling in a form that integrates into my adobe pdf.

I want the two fields to look like this:

First Name space Last Name, whereas because they are two fields they currently look more like:

First Name space space space space....... Last Name.

I've tried this suggestion and cannot get it to work.  See screenshots attached.  Not sure what i've done wrong, but help1

Thanks in advance,

Sa

[kristinh90264132]

I am not an expert but I don't think that this javascript addresses your question exactly. I used this to have text flow from one text field to another in a multi-line, paragraph area of a form, when the text will go beyond the boundaries of the fields. In your case, you have two text boxes that will most likely never be completely full unless someone has a very long name. Can you use one text box for "name" instead of breaking it up into first and last?

Also, to troubleshoot if it's working, I would keep typing in the first box long enough until the text jumps into the second box automatically. If it does, then technically the JS worked, it just doesn't look as clean as you want.

[Thom Parker]

Set the alignment on the first name to right justified. 

[_stevan_krajnjan_]

Hi George, Can you tell me please how I would go about applying the suggestion into the text field box. Would I go to Properties, Actions, and then what? I am a very average user of the program who just simply wants to make the text flow from one text field unto another, that's it. If you could give me specific instructions on how to do this that woudl be VERY much appreciated. Thanks!

[George_Johnson]

The first thing you need to do is set up both text fields. Make a note of the name of the second text field.

You then need to add the code above to the Keystroke event of the first text box. To do that, open the field properties dialog, go to the "Format" tab, select "Custom" from the "Select format category" dropdown, click the "Edit" button next to the "Custom Keystroke Script" box, and enter the code given above. Be sure to use the name of your second field in place of the generic field name I used in the code.

Next, go to the "Options" tab and deselect the "Scroll long text" checkbox.

Next, go to the "Appearance" tab and select a font size other than "Auto".

That should do it.

George

[annettj82021735]

Thanks so much George. This was immensely helpful and solved my problem. Your clear explanation/instructions are much appreciated and were spot on. 

[kristinh90264132]

This worked perfectly for me too, thank you so much George!

[Sheena E0D44]

This was excellent. Thanx a heap!!!

[christinec39684827]

Yay! Thanks, George!!

[Tiffany5CB6]

I am following George's instructions above, however it does not seem to be working for me. I copied and pasted it exactly as posted above, and then replacing 

"NameOfNextFieldGoesHere"

with the name of my field, and making the appropriate changes to the font size and scroll long text.
Do I need to remove any of the spaces from the code as posted above? Or is it intended to have the extra blank lines an spaces? 

[TheOneRegina]

When you replace "NameOfNextFieldGoesHere" make sure you keep the quotation marks when you type in your field name.  Also, make sure that you type the field name precisely as it is on the form i.e., upper/lower case or all caps, and include any spaces.

[Awwphooey]

I know this is an old thread, but just want to show my appreciation for the guidance George. Today is my first attempt at creating a fillable form PDF; I'm working it out slowly and this was super helpful!

[Andy24241584r1yp]

Thank you for this! A few years later, and people are still using it. You solved a problem for me with a few custom keystrokes.

Apreciate it.

Andy

[jay fresno]

George,

This is potentially very helpful script that you provided. However, I followed your instructions precisely and am not able to make the text entered in the first field flow into the second field. I named my first field "firstField" and my second field "secondField" so the JavaScript in the first field looks like this:

if (event.fieldFull)
{
getField("secondField").setFocus();
}

I'm using Acrobat 8 and 9. Has there been a change to the syntax in the script for Acrobat 8 Pro or 9 Pro?

[_stevan_krajnjan_]

Hi George,

I tried your advice and for some reason the text did not flow into the second field. Here is how the code looked:

if (event.fieldFull)
{
getField("Text2.1").setFocus();
}

I named the second field as it was named "Text2.1" I then tried it and it did not work. Wen the text got to the end of the first field, it just stopped and did not go onto the second field. Any idea why?
I appreciate any troubleshooting suggestion you can offer George... Thanks! Stevan.

[jay fresno]

Steven,

I'm not a JavaScripter by any means, but by looking at other scripts I found the missing piece. You must first set the focus on the first field by setting up a variable. I used a "t" for the variable, but it could be any letter. This works for me:

var t=this.getField ("NameOfFirstFieldGoesHere");
if (event.fieldFull) {
getField("NameOfNextFieldGoesHere").setFocus();
}

[jay fresno]

George,

Thanks so much for this script. I never would have guessed how to do it without your expert help.

[jay fresno]

George,

One anomaly I noticed is that if both fields have text and I click in the first field to add text, the new text gets added to the second field -- not where I'm typing. If I select text in the middle of the text in the first field (instead of just clicking an insertion point) and start typing, the selected text is replaced and when I run out of space in the first field the text is added to the second field, but only after skipping over the last part of the text in the first field. In other words, the text is out of order. What is the correct technique to use when adding text?