Anyone a PDF expert?

[kevinj]

I have created a simple PDF form that has text fields for users to fill in. I don't want them to be able to enter text beyond the end of the text box since these will only be printed and sent in via mail. How can I limit their typing to the end of each text field box? I tried the Do Not Scroll option but that is not working.

Thanks for any help.

[Purple Martin]

I don't know the answer, but I have to ask: why does it matter? If it's for printing and snail-mailing, then presumably you've got to manually read and key-in people's responses - if they do go past the end of the box, so what? You can still read it. Perhaps you could make it look neater by using lines to type on instead of boxes, and make the line go all the way to the right margin.

This being Webmaster World, I can't resist suggesting the following: use an HTML form, and write a bit of server-side scripting to put the response directly into a database. You'll save yourself heaps of time reading and keying. (Unless of course you require an ink signature for lega purposes, in which case you probably do need them to mail a printed PDF).

[mivox]

Actually, as pointed out in another thread, digital signatures are perfectly legal...

However, Acrobat 5 (I'm on a Mac. Menus & windows may be named differently in Windows...) allows you to set a maximum number of characters per field.

Just select the field you want to limit (with the Form Tool), select "Properties..." from the "Edit" menu at the top of the screen, click on the "Options" tab in the Properties window, and you should find a list of options you can select vis checkbox, including "Limit of ___ characters". Just check off the box & type in your desired maximum # of character.

[kevinj]

I'm allowing the applicants to fill out the application themselves online, print it, sign it and then send it with the rest of the required materials I need from them. So since they are filling it out themselves and printing it I have to limit them to the end of the text box.

My concern with limiting the characters in each box is characters vary in width so if I set a limit for the box I could be limiting them to less than they realistically could enter. So I was hoping the no scroll feature would stop them at the end of the box regardless of how many characters they entered.