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Changing field type from pdf-determined

Forum Index > Forms: Acrobat > Changing field type from pdf-determined
2010-10-20 11:26:25
Andreaintoronto
Registered: Oct 20 2010
Posts: 4
Answered

I converted a document from Word to Acrobat. In Word there is a check box that when you click on it an X is entered. In Acrobat it has become a text box? Can I change it to be a check box. There are hundreds of them so I'd like to select them all and change them all in one go. The only solution I see is deleting the text box and replacing it with a check box 100 times and then lining them up. Ughh.

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2010-10-20 12:31:39
#1
gkaiseril
Online
Expert
Registered: Feb 23 2006
Posts: 4308
Auto Field Detect tends to get a lot of fields wrong, so you can end up with a lot of edit work. It is possible to use OpenOffice.org Writer to process a MS Word form and export directly to PDF along with the fields, OpenSource.org PDF Forms by Ted Padova and OpenOffice as an Acrobat Form Design Tool and More On Open Office As A PDF Form Design Tool by Carl Young.

George Kaiser

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2010-10-20 12:52:48
#2
Andreaintoronto
Registered: Oct 20 2010
Posts: 4
I suppose that's a round about way of saying that Acrobat doesn't have a feature to select a bunch of text fields and change them to check boxes. Since I've already done a lot of other edits I think at this point it's easier to simply make the check box. I will use the software you recommend next time I start from a Word doc.

Thanks!
Andrea
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2010-10-21 09:54:24
#3
try67
Expert
Registered: Oct 30 2008
Posts: 2398
There is another option.
I created a script that converts all (or some) form fields from one type to another.
You're welcome to have a look here for more information about it:
http://try67.blogspot.com/2010/10/acrobat-convert-form-fields-type.php

- AcrobatUsers Community Expert - Contact me personally at try6767 [at] gmail [dot] com
Check out my custom-made scripts website: http://try67.blogspot.com

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2010-10-26 08:00:29
#4
Andreaintoronto
Registered: Oct 20 2010
Posts: 4
On a similar note, i.e. check boxes, I've created a form in InDesign and made it into a pdf. Then I've made it fillable. Acrobat's form wizard picks up the text box fields but doesn't "see" the check boxes I made using the font Wingdings character "o" in InDesign. Is there a way or software that will tell it to read the checkbox (wingdings character) as a checkbox? I'd actually prefer a radio box that is in the form of a square.

Also, if I have to make the radio boxes manually and size them repeatedly, can I make the checkbox the default rather than the circle?

Would I be better off using Live Cycle?

Thanks so much!
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2010-10-26 08:21:26
#5
gkaiseril
Online
Expert
Registered: Feb 23 2006
Posts: 4308
The auto field detect is not very good at a lot of fields, so one usually needs to do the manual edits.

You can create one radio button form field, then change the appearance ("Properties => Appearance") as needed. You can then copy the field and edit the name and export values.Acrobat forms and LiveCycle Designer offer different features, so it is more important to select the product that provides the services that you need.

George Kaiser

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2010-10-26 08:30:36
#6
Andreaintoronto
Registered: Oct 20 2010
Posts: 4
Thank you George. I will copy the first radio check box and change the name and export value. That way I know the size is consistent.

I was hoping you'd tell me that Live Cycle designer had a feature that would make this task easier and do all the work for me! :) I think I'll stick with Acrobat as in general I find it's more user-friendly.

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