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Reader 8 and 9 behaving 'oddly'

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2009-06-12 09:08:34
Meabh
Registered: Feb 24 2006
Posts: 20

I have 2 forms that have been in use for a couple of years which have scripts for calculation, validation, background color changes etc. However when these are run on machines with Reader 8 or 9 (either thru IE or direct thru Reader), some scripts behave oddly. The calculations are still performed but on a Read Only field the user suddenly has limited access. The field can be clicked into but not anything added to it. The field did some other odd behaviours which I've been able to get rid of by clearing up some un-necessary scripts but this I'm stuck on.

Has anyone had a similar problem with Reader 8 or 9? This is a link to where the form is located. 3 samples of broken fields are the on page 1, section 4. Users with Reader 8 or 9 can clink into those fields and place a cursor there

http://www.courts.state.nh.us/forms/nhjb-2117-p.pdf

Thanks
Meabh

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2009-06-12 09:46:05
#1
gkaiseril
Expert
Registered: Feb 23 2006
Posts: 4308
"Behaving badly" in what way?

This is not very clear.

Looking at your code, I see you have not always identified the object for the 'getField()' method. This is letting Acrobat/Reader 'ass u m ing' what the object is. JavaScript is not very strict about these things and this laxity in syntax can cause problems, just like lax wording in a legal document can.

George Kaiser

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2009-06-12 11:28:22
#2
Meabh
Registered: Feb 24 2006
Posts: 20
The field for Total Receipts (on page 1 and bottom of page) WAS allowing the user to see (and print) '0.00' in white with a gray background. The validation script changes '0.00' to white but since the field is Read Only, the background should not change nor should the user be able to click within the field. I removed the script to change background color from that field and the others which helped but they still have issues. I have a 3rd form that uses the same scripts etc that does not 'behave oddly'. When tested with Reader or Acrobate 7 all 3 forms work perfectly.

I'm assuming you're referring to the document level javascript. Can you suggest another method? The person who developed those is no longer here.

Thanks
Meabh
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2009-06-12 12:06:46
#3
Meabh
Registered: Feb 24 2006
Posts: 20
I believe I have discovered part of my confusion. It appears that Reader 8 and above have the 'ability' to click into a Read Only field. And it even seems that this is an intended function. I would have thought Read Only meant 'look but don't touch' however Adobe never asked for my opinion!

In that case it looks like everything is behaving as its supposed to and I can stop hitting my head against that particular wall.

Thanks for the help gkaiseril

Meabh
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