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PDF Forms AutoCalculate
PDF Forms AutoCalculate
PDF Forms AutoCalculate
Adobe PDF Forms can contain fields that auto-calculate. These can include fields containing user-input
values and fields containing unchanging values set by the forms designer.
NOTE: For more on PDF Forms, go to:
http://academic.cuesta.edu/training/training_materials/PDF_Forms_QR.pdf
The example below illustrates creating a form using the following fields:
NumberOfTickets - User enters how many tickets they wish to purchase
TicketPrice Contains a set value, 12, the price of a single ticket
TotalPrice An auto-calculating field; number of tickets * ticket price
1. Create a Word document with spaces for user-input and calculation fields.
2. Convert the Word document into a PDF form using Acrobat Pro:
a. In Acrobat click Create.
b. Select PDF Form or Online Form.
c. Select Use an existing file and then click Next.
d. Select Import a file from file system and then click the Browse button.
e. Locate and open the Word document to convert, and then click Next.
f. Click OK.
Steps
3. If necessary, edit the fields requiring
user-input, formatting appropriately.
Example
i.
Locate or create a text field for the number of
tickets, calling it NumberOfTickets.
ii.
Double-click the NumberOfTickets field and on
the Format tab, set Select format category to
Number, Decimal Places to 0, and Currency
Symbol to None.
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Steps
4. Add and/or edit fields containing static
(unchanging) values to be used in
calculation, selecting the Read Only
option and entering a number in the
Default Value field.
Example
i.
Add a text field, calling it TicketPrice.
ii.
Double-click the TicketPrice field and on the
General tab, click the check box for Read Only.
iii.
iv.
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Steps
5. Add and/or edit fields containing
calculation results, selecting the Read
Only option and creating a calculation.
Example
i.
Add a text field for the total ticket price, calling it
TotalPrice.
ii.
Double-click the TotalPrice field and on the
General tab click the check box, Read Only.
iii.
iv.
v.
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Steps
Example
(The Field Selection screen will display)
vi.
vii.
6. Make any other necessary changes and save the PDF form.
7. Reopen the form in Acrobat Pro and, from the menu bar, select File > Save As > Reader Extended
PDF > Enable Additional Features.
The Enable Usage Rights in Adobe Reader will display.
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