April 17, 2017 Jamie Dening, Research Support

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Bethanie Horn
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1 April 17, 2017 Jamie Dening, Research Support

2 Adobe Acrobat 9.5 Pro Three ways to create a fillable pdf form using Adobe 9 Pro: 0 Scan in document (not covered in this tutorial) 0 Import existing pdf or form created in another program (i.e. MS Word, Excel, Access, etc.) 0 Create form from scratch or from a template using Adobe Pro

3 Adobe Acrobat 9.5 Pro: Importing Existing Form Advantages: 0 Use forms that already exist in Word, Excel, Access, Pdf, JPEG, etc., formats 0 Comfortable with creating forms in a different program (i.e. expert at using MS Word): Do not have to take the time to learn a new program Disadvantage: 0 Cannot edit form content in Adobe (i.e. cannot change existing text, remove images, get rid of bad spacing, etc.) You Tube Tutorial:

4 Importing Existing Form: DEMO 0 Two ways to open documents: Method one 1. Open Adobe Pro 2. File: Open preexisting form 3. Select Forms 4. Choose Add or Edit Fields

5 Importing Existing Form: DEMO 0 Two ways to open documents: Method two 1. Open Adobe Pro 2. Select Forms 3. Choose Start From Wizard 4. Select Use an existing form + Next 5. Import a file from file system + Next

6 Importing Existing Form: DEMO 0 Let Adobe ID fields: Adobe will automatically detect Fields (aka answer boxes) from an existing form

7 Importing Existing Form: DEMO 0 Form touch-ups: Ensure proper field appears: after you let Adobe find the fields, you want to make sure a field appears for all questions, and that the type of field is correct. For example, do you want the answer to be entered into a text box, or do you want the user to select the answer from a drop box (there are other options available). To edit the type of field, right click your mouse over the field and select Add New Field (see image on next slide) Key Fields to choose from: Text fields: Let the user type text, such as name, address, or phone number. List boxes: Display a list of options the user can select. If the list is longer than space allows, the user can scroll through the list. Check boxes: Present yes or no choices for individual items. If the form contains multiple check boxes, the user can typically select as many or few of these as wanted Radio buttons: Present a group of choices from which the user can select only one item. All radio buttons with the same name work together as a group. Combo boxes: Let the user either choose an item from a pop-up menu or type a value.

9 Importing Existing Form: DEMO 0 Form touch-ups continued.. Add a field if Adobe does not detect one for you: Select Add New Field (see image below), select field type you would like to use, and drag cursor to where you would like field to appear (edit fields as you do for fields Adobe does detect): Check field names: make sure the field name is a simple description of the information you are asking for. You can do this by right clicking your mouse and selecting Properties. Under the tab General you can edit the field name. This step is important if you plan to export or import data from an external source using an additional plug-in (this must be purchased separate from Adobe Pro, and is beyond the scope of this tutorial).

10 Importing Existing Form: DEMO 0 Save your form to send out manually or post on a website Tip: You can also purchase a mailmerge plug-in which allows you to distribute the form from adobe (this is really handy if you have a lot of people to send the form to. It also enables you to import existing data into a form and export data collected into a spreadsheet; this is beyond the scope of this tutorial) 0 Close Adobe, and re-open your newly created fillable form in Adobe Pro to test and set Extended Features. Setting Extended Features enables users to save their form electronically to return to complete later, or send to the form administrator via (see instructions on next page)

11 Importing Existing Form: DEMO 0 Set Extended Features 1. Select Advanced 2. Choose Extend Features in Adobe Reader 3. When window pops up, select Save Now 4. Resave the form over your newly created form

12 Creating A Form From Scratch: Adobe LiveCycle Designer ES (8.2) *Included with Adobe Pro 9 Advantages: 0 Create complex forms with ability to edit on the fly 0 Switch from form creation to preview view as you build the form Disadvantages: 0 Finding time to create a form - Solutions: use a template (see video link below); Conceptualize your form before starting; Keep your form short and simple You Tube Tutorial (Overview): Adobe TV Video (Templates):

13 Creating A Form From Scratch: DEMO Conceptualize and Plan (i.e. Branding? Consistent with other documents? Type of form? Who is my Audience? Draw out sketch of your form first; Consider outcome; etc.) 0 Create your own OR Manipulate a template to fit your needs 0 Start from Scratch: 1. Open Adobe 2. Select Forms 3. Choose Start Form from Wizard 4. Choose Create a PDF form from scratch option + select Next 5. Adobe Livecycle Designer will automatically open 6. Select Use a Blank Form (or Based on a Template ) + Next 7. Select Finish (you can change the page size, but the default is set as letter size; you can add additional pages later so no need to add them here)

Creating A Form From Scratch: DEMO Start building your form by dragging fields from the Object Library (fields are the same as the fields when you import

14 Creating A Form From Scratch: DEMO Start building your form by dragging fields from the Object Library (fields are the same as the fields when you import an existing form). Use Text in the library to add instructions, a description, due date, etc. Use Text Field to add a question that requires a text answer.

15 Creating A Form From Scratch: DEMO 0 Field - Caption: Your Question - Appearance / Restrictions: Allow Multiple Lines : user can type beyond displayed area, but only displayed area will print; Allow Multiple Lines & Limit Length to Visible Area : can only type in designated area; Limit Length to Visible Area only: will only allow text on single line, will not scroll to next line 0 Value - Set Type : Can make field Protected or Read Only, or set as a required answer (i.e. cannot save form if incomplete) - Validation Patterns: must conform to format (i.e. Postal Code, Phone Number, SIN, , etc. 0 Binding - Name your object: Important for data collection (i.e. using Adobe mailmerge plug-in), and for locking document automatically once signed

16 0 Other Useful Fields: Creating A Form From Scratch: DEMO - Image: Allows you (the creator) to upload an image (i.e. a logo, or branding image) - Date/Time Field: A calendar will appear for user to select from - Submit Bottom: Automatically sends form to administrator once selected - Print Field: Allows user to select printer to automatically print their form - Reset Button: User can reset their form 0 Preview your form on the fly (can see how form will look, and test fields):

17 Creating A Form From Scratch: DEMO 0 To add another page, 1. Select Insert 2. New Page 1 0 Learn how to use the electronic signature field: /watch?v=yqrgnfudoau 2

18 Creating Your Form: TIPS 0 Conceptualize & Plan before you start 0 Keep form short, simple and consistent 0 Have someone test your form before distributing 0 Set Extended Features so users can save the form electronically (see page 11) 0 Accessibility: e/pdf/livecycle8_2accessibilityguidelines.pdf

Creating Fill-able Forms using Acrobat 8.0: Part 1

Creating Fill-able Forms using Acrobat 8.0: Part 1 The first step in creating a fill-able form in Adobe Acrobat is to generate the form with all its formatting in a program such as Microsoft Word. Then