Are you using PDFescape Desktop or PDFescape Online?
PDFescape Desktop
In this section we'll cover the following topics:
Adding a form field
A Checkbox is most commonly associated with multiple-choice questions. A checkbox would be applied when a user can choose one or more of the options available. A Radio Button is an option for when a user can only choose one answer per question.
Click on Checkbox found in the Forms Module. You will see the outline for the checkbox appear on your document. You can position it wherever you would like. When you are ready, simply click the left mouse button to place the field.
You will notice that after you place a button the Checkbox option remains active. Any buttons you place now will be associated with the same question. Click the Checkbox option again to end this grouping. Click it again to start a new group of answers.
This will ensure a user can choose one of each group of possible answers.
Click on Edit in the top left to go into Edit Mode. Then select the Checkbox. This will make it the active document element. Then click on the wrench icon on the right side in order to open the Properties.
The first thing we recommend you do is to change the name of the field so that if you decide to export your data it will be easier to organize.
- Click into the box next to Name.
- Type a new name into the box.
- Click elsewhere to confirm.
Field Appearance
You can configure the aesthetics of the box in this menu. Click on Appearance Tab right next to the General Tab. Then click right next to any options to modify them.
In the General Tab you will find the form field name. Form fields with the same name are grouped together as part of the same question.
- Click next to Name.
- Type the new name into the box.
- Hit the Enter key to confirm your choice.
In the Appearance Tab is where you’ll find most options. You can customize the look and feel of your form field.
The following appearance properties are shared by each type of form field.
You can change the width of the border of your form field.
- Click the number next to Width.
- Increase the number to make it thicker, you can hide it entirely by setting it to 0.
- Hit the Enter key or click anywhere in your document to finalize.
The border width should increase immediately.
You can update the style, or pattern of the border of the form field. By default, it is a solid line.
- Click the option next to Style.
- Choose a new one from the list.
You can update the color of the border of your form field.
- Click the box next to Color.
Click on the color you want to use from the drop-down.
The Highlight option will change the visible animation when a user selects your form field.
- Click the dropdown next to Highlight.
- Choose from the list.
Under Rotate you can change the orientation of your field.
- Click next to Rotate and choose the angle of orientation you’d like to use.
You can set a tooltip for form field. When a user hovers their mouse over the field you will see your tip appear.
- Click next to Tooltip.
- Type your tip into the box.
- Press the Enter key to confirm.
While in View Mode you can verify the tooltip.
- Hover your mouse over the form field.
You can set a unique background color for your field.
- Click the box next to Color.
- Choose your new color.
Other field properties
Finally, any text-based form fields will provide you with Font options.
- Size will let you change the font size.
- Font Color will change the color of the font.
Field Values
You can set the icon that will appear when someone selects that form field in the Caption section.
- Click the dropdown next to Caption.
- Choose one from the list.
You can save any of these aesthetic changes for future fields of the same type.
- Click SET AS DEFAULT to use these settings moving forward.
You can reset the default at any time.
- Select any field.
- Open the properties.
- Click RESET DEFAULT.
In the Values tab you have a few options available in each type of form field that collects data.
- Click on the Values tab.
- Toggle the switch to enable each option.
- Read Only – the form field can be viewed, but the content cannot be changed.
- No Export – The form field can be filled out by a user, but the data cannot be extracted from this field.
- Required – To submit the form data, this field must be filled out by the user.
Deleting a form field
It is really easy to delete a field. Simply make sure you are in Edit Mode and then right-click on the form field you would like to delete and choose Remove.
PDFescape Online
- Click the Insert Tab in the top left corner. You will see the Form Field option.
The Form Field Creation Tool window will appear letting you select the form field type.
- Choose Checkbox from the dropdown and click on Select.
Move your mouse cursor anywhere on your document and left-click to place the box. The Checkbox option will remain active until you click it again. This lets you place multiple fields at once.
You can resize the checkbox. Move the mouse icon to any black square at the corners of the box. Hold the left mouse button and move to resize.
Release the mouse button when the checkbox is the size you want.
Changing Checkbox Properties
You can update the settings for your checkbox.
- Select the checkbox in Edit mode.
- Click the Object Properties.
- Click on the box next to Name.
- Type a new name into the box.
To prevent anyone makes changes to the checkbox.
- Check the box next to Read-only.
You can change the icon on the box by setting the Check Type. The icon will appear once you click on the checkbox.
- Click on the box next to Check Type.
- Choose one of the options.
- Click OK to save the settings.
Deleting a form field
- To delete the checkbox, select it in Edit mode.
- Click on the recycle bin icon or press the Delete key on your keyboard.