Set form fields actions

The Actions tab in form field properties allows you to assign actions triggered by user interactions. Here are its key components:

• Select Trigger: Choose the user action that initiates the action, such as Mouse Up, Mouse Down, Mouse Enter, Mouse Exit, On Focus, or On Blur.
• Select Action: Specify the event that occurs when the user triggers the action. Options include executing a menu item, navigating to a 3D/Multimedia view, going to a page view, importing form data, opening a file or web link, playing a sound or media clip, reading an article, resetting a form, running JavaScript, setting layer visibility, showing/hiding a field, or submitting a form.
• Add: Opens a window to select and add an action.
• Actions: Displays the list of defined triggers and actions.
• Up and Down buttons: These buttons change the order of the listed actions under the trigger (available when multiple actions are defined for the same trigger).
• Edit: Opens a dialog box with specific options for the selected action.
• Delete: Removes the selected action or trigger-action pair.

Set form fields for calculations

The Calculate tab in form field properties excludes text fields and dropdown boxes. It offers options for performing mathematical operations on existing entries and displaying results:

• Value Is Not Calculated: Choose this option if you want users to input values manually.

• Value Is The: Select this to access additional options:

  • Pop-up Menu: This menu lists mathematical functions like Sum, Product, Average, Minimum, or Maximum that
    apply to selected fields.

  • Pick: Opens a dialog box listing available form fields to include or exclude from the calculation.

• Simplified Field Notation: Utilizes JavaScript with field names and basic arithmetic signs. Use the Edit button to modify or add scripts.

• Custom Calculation Script: Shows any custom scripts for calculations. Use the Edit button to create or edit JavaScripts.

Set the calculation order of form fields

In your form, the order of calculations follows the sequence in which you define them.

Adjust the calculation order if necessary for accurate results. For instance, if you need the outcome of two fields to compute a third, ensure those two fields are calculated first.

Acrobat automatically performs all assigned field calculations when you are creating and testing your form fields. For convenience, while you work, you can turn off automatic calculation in the forms preferences.

Set e-signature properties

You can set e-signature properties using the Signed tab in the Digital Signature Properties dialog box. Your selections determine what happens when the user applies a digital signature to the form.

Options include:

• Nothing Happens When Signed: This is the default setting.
• Mark As Read-Only: Determines post-signature changes. Options include:
  • All Fields: Locks all form fields.
  • All Fields Except These: Allows edits in selected fields.
  • Just These Fields: Locks only selected fields.
• This Script Executes When Field Is Signed: Enables custom JavaScript execution post-signature. Use the Edit button to modify or create new JavaScript actions.

Format text and dropdown fields

The Format tab in Form Field Properties offers various formatting options for text and dropdown fields. The options depend on your selection in the Select Format Category pop-up menu. The Example of Current Format field displays a live preview of the settings. 

The available options are:

The "Format" tab in form field properties offers various formatting options for text and dropdown fields. Here's a breakdown:

• None: No specific formatting is required.
• Number: Automatically formats numeric entries. Options for decimal places, separator style, currency symbol, symbol location, and negative number style.
• Percentage: Formats numeric data as percentages. Options for decimal places and separator style.
• Date: Format dates. Options for one-, two-, and four-digit date variations.
• Time: Formats time entries. Options for 12-hour or 24-hour clock display, minutes, seconds, and AM/PM.
• Special: Formats specific data types such as Zip Code, Zip Code + 4, Phone Number, and Social Security Number. Allows for an Arbitrary Mask for custom formats. 
  • A - Accepts only letters (A–Z, a-z).
  • X - Accepts spaces and most printable characters, including all characters available on a standard keyboard and ANSI characters in 32–126 and 128–255.
  • O - The letter “O” accepts alphanumeric characters (A–Z, a-z, and 0–9).
  • 9 - Accepts only numeric characters (0–9).
  • For example, a mask setting of AAA--p#999 accepts the input BOE--p#767. A mask setting of OOOOO@XXX accepts the input vad12@3Up.
• Custom: This option enables advanced formatting using custom JavaScript scripts. It also offers options to add and edit custom format and keystroke scripts. To get the JavaScript for Acrobat API Reference, see the Acrobat Developer Center at www.adobe.com/go/learn_acr_javascript_en (PDF, English only).
  

The "Validation" tab, available in Text Field and Dropdown Box Properties, ensures data accuracy:

• Field Value Is Not Validated: Disables validation.
• Field Value Is In Range: Sets numeric range limits.
• Run Custom Validation Script: Validates using custom JavaScript scripts.

No additional options are available. The input in a text or dropdown box with this property does not require any specific formatting.