A client has asked me to move fields and scripts from a working Acroform to a slightly modified form. The original form uses a pair of radio buttons underneath a pair of regular buttons which are transparent. The radio buttons are actually read-only, and are turned on by the button scripts after several other things happen. So to the user, it appears that she is clicking a radio button, but she is actually clicking a regular button which will turn on the radio button.
In form field edit mode, I selected this entire group of radio buttons and regular buttons, and copied them as a group to the new form. And when they are pasted in, the radio buttons are on the bottom. Unfortunately, when I try to reposition the whole group on the form, the radio buttons are now on top of the other buttons, not underneath. I don't know how to force the radio button to be on the bottom again. I've moved the buttons off, then back on, and still, the radio buttons are now on the top.
The only special properties for the radio buttons is read-only.
Any ideas on how to proceed?
The form was originally created in Acrobat 7, and I am working in Acrobat 9 Pro.
How do you put one form field underneath another form field?
2011-10-13 20:49:46
My Product Information:
Acrobat Pro 9.4, Windows
Acrobat Pro 9.4, Windows
2011-10-13 20:53:32
#1
You just need to set the tab order and place the radio buttons higher up in the list than the regular buttons.
2011-10-14 10:23:36
#2
Well, you would think it would be just that easy. But I am seeing some weird behavior. In the original form, the buttons are arranged in this order:
1. Radio Button Grouping: Yes, No
2. Regular YES button
3. Regular NO button
The YES button is on top of the read-only YES radio button (read-only).
The NO button is on top of the read-only NO radio button (read-only).
With the buttons arranged this way hovering over either radio button results in a display of a link to the regular button. In forms edit mode, hovering over the radio buttons does not show a selection (royal blue edge highlighted), and clicking on it selects the regular button on top of it.
Now, if I select the whole group and move it around on the page (within the original document) in forms edit mode, the radio buttons are moved down on the tab order list on the left, and they are on top of the regular button. If I manually move the radio button group up on the tab order list to come before the regular buttons, the first radio button is underneath the first button (and the entire first button is live), but the second radio button is on top of the second button (and the radio button part over the button is not live). And this is happening even though the radio buttons are above the regular buttons in the tab order on the left.
This is consistent repeatable behavior.
When I copy the entire group (functioning correctly) to the new form, the radio buttons are at the bottom of the tab order. I can move them up above the regular buttons, but the second radio button can’t be covered by the regular button.
1. Radio Button Grouping: Yes, No
2. Regular YES button
3. Regular NO button
The YES button is on top of the read-only YES radio button (read-only).
The NO button is on top of the read-only NO radio button (read-only).
With the buttons arranged this way hovering over either radio button results in a display of a link to the regular button. In forms edit mode, hovering over the radio buttons does not show a selection (royal blue edge highlighted), and clicking on it selects the regular button on top of it.
Now, if I select the whole group and move it around on the page (within the original document) in forms edit mode, the radio buttons are moved down on the tab order list on the left, and they are on top of the regular button. If I manually move the radio button group up on the tab order list to come before the regular buttons, the first radio button is underneath the first button (and the entire first button is live), but the second radio button is on top of the second button (and the radio button part over the button is not live). And this is happening even though the radio buttons are above the regular buttons in the tab order on the left.
This is consistent repeatable behavior.
When I copy the entire group (functioning correctly) to the new form, the radio buttons are at the bottom of the tab order. I can move them up above the regular buttons, but the second radio button can’t be covered by the regular button.
2011-10-14 11:07:28
#3
Did you select "Order Tabs Manually" in the Tab Order drop down at the top of the Fields pane?
2011-10-14 11:32:16
#4
It was set to "Order Tabs Unspecified." I changed it to "Order Tabs Manually", but I still see the same behavior when I move the group.
2011-10-14 11:34:29
#5
Do you still see the same behavior when you leave form editing mode? If so, how about after saving, closing, and reopening?
2011-10-14 11:44:16
#6
Inside of outside forms editing mode, it is the same. Regardless of closing and reopening the file, or whether I have the tabbing set to manual or unspecified. It is the same.
2011-10-16 18:17:14
#7
George, may I ask you to look at this form?
Or, does anyone else have any ideas?
Thanks.
Or, does anyone else have any ideas?
Thanks.
2011-10-16 20:38:45
#8
Sure, I'd be happy to take a look. You can send me a message by clicking my name.
2011-11-21 05:27:22
#9
In case others are reading this post, the problem was not resolved. George and I both tried numerous things, but despite all the situation continued.
So the final situation was this:
- First in tab order of fields panel, a radio button with Yes/No valuse. Read-only
- Next in tab order, a button which completely covered the Yes button and extended beyond on one side.
- Finally, a button which completely covered the No button and beyond.
- Logic which turned on the corresponding radio button (and other processing) when its larger button was clicked.
Although the radio buttons were under the real buttons in the tabbing order, the No radio button was always on top of the bigger button, making it impossible to click on that area of the bigger button. (The radio buttons are read only.)
If I changed the order of the Yes/No within the radio button, then it was the Yes button which was on top of its corresponding button.
So the final situation was this:
- First in tab order of fields panel, a radio button with Yes/No valuse. Read-only
- Next in tab order, a button which completely covered the Yes button and extended beyond on one side.
- Finally, a button which completely covered the No button and beyond.
- Logic which turned on the corresponding radio button (and other processing) when its larger button was clicked.
Although the radio buttons were under the real buttons in the tabbing order, the No radio button was always on top of the bigger button, making it impossible to click on that area of the bigger button. (The radio buttons are read only.)
If I changed the order of the Yes/No within the radio button, then it was the Yes button which was on top of its corresponding button.