We received a batch of intake [forms] with missing contact phone numbers and inconsistent account [ids]. I need a real…
Open Adobe Acrobat and select the Prepare Form tool from the Tools menu.
Best practiceYou can quickly access the Prepare Form tool by searching for it in the Tools search bar.
Choose an existing PDF or scan a document to use as your form background, then select Start to begin editing.
Add form fields such as text fields, checkboxes, radio buttons, or drop-down lists by selecting the appropriate field type and placing it on the form.
Double-click a form field to open its Properties dialog.
To set up calculations, go to the Calculate tab in the Properties dialog, choose a calculation type (e.g., Value is the sum), and select the fields to include in the calculation.
NoteFor custom calculations, select Custom calculation script and enter JavaScript code.
To add field validations, switch to the Validate tab in the Properties dialog, select a format category (such as Number or Date), and set validation rules or custom validation scripts as needed.
Best practiceUse the Validate tab to set range limits or add custom JavaScript for complex validation.
To assign actions, go to the Actions tab in the Properties dialog, select a trigger (such as On Focus or On Blur), choose an action type (like Run a JavaScript), and configure the desired action.
Best practiceCommon actions include showing/hiding fields or displaying messages based on user input.
Repeat steps 4–7 for each field that requires calculations, validations, or actions.
Save the form to preserve your changes.
Best practiceTest your form thoroughly by entering sample data to ensure all calculations, validations, and actions work as intended.
Best practiceBLOGS: If you encounter issues with fields not updating, try closing and reopening the form or using the Clear Form option to reset field states.
You can preview your form in Acrobat by selecting the 'Preview' button to test calculations and validations before distributing.
This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.
A Tooltip is a short description for a form field. It matters because it helps people who use screen readers understand what information they need to put in that field. Without a Tooltip, a screen reader user might not know what the field is for, making your form hard to use for everyone.
Yes, when you use 'Prepare a form' with a scanned PDF, Acrobat will try to automatically find and add form fields. However, it might not find all of them, or it might make mistakes. Always check the fields it adds and manually add any missing ones.
You should avoid Word's form tools because they often do not export to accessible PDF fields correctly. This means the form fields might not work well in Acrobat, or they might not be usable by people with disabilities. It's best to create your document in Word and then use Acrobat's 'Prepare a form' tool to add the actual form fields.