Are you using PDFescape Desktop or PDFescape Online?
PDFescape Desktop
In this section we'll cover the following topics:
Adding a form field
A Combo Box (Dropdown) is a form field that will add a dropdown menu to your document.
Click on Combo Box found in the Forms Module. You will see the outline for the combo box 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.
Click on Edit in the top left to go into Edit Mode. Then select the Combo Box. 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.
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. Naming the field will make it easier to manage your form data.
- Click next to Name.
- Type the new name into the box.
- Hit the Enter key to confirm your choice.
Field appearance
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.
- Type will let you change the font inside of this text field.
- Size will let you change the font size.
- Font Color will change the color of the font.
- Font Modifier will let you bold or italicize your text.
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.
Field Values
In the Value Tab, you can add the possible options the user can choose by clicking next to Options.
In the window which opens you will be able to add the values. Click on the Add and you will see a text field open up. You will enter the text corresponding to each option to the dropdown. Under the Name column, you will see what appears in the list in the document.
The Value column displays the name of the value when it is exported from the form. Double-click on the name under either column to rename it, they don’t have to match.
To delete an entry, click on it and you will see a blue X on the right. You can clear all content with Delete All. When you are ready to proceed to click on OK.
You can modify the rules surrounding your data by clicking next to any other option in the Value section.
You can edit the values at any time by right click on the field while in Edit Mode and selecting Edit Value List.
To verify the Values were entered correctly, you can test it by selecting your Combo Box while in View Mode.
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.
- Editable – To make modifications to the value of the box without entering the Properties.
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 your form field and select Remove.
PDFescape Online
The Combo Box is named Dropdown in 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 Dropdown from the list and click on Select.
Move your mouse cursor anywhere on your document and left-click to place the box. The Dropdown option will remain active until you click it again. This lets you place multiple fields at once.
You can resize the dropdown field. 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 dropdown is the size you want.
Changing Dropdown Properties
You can update the settings for your dropdown.
- Select Object Properties.
- Click on the box next to Name.
- Type a new name into the box.
- Click OK to save changes.
To prevent anyone makes changes to the checkbox.
- Check the box next to Read-only.
If you check the box next to Required saving will be blocked unless all the form fields are filled in.
- Click on the box next to Allow Custom.
- Click OK.
To add the values into your form field.
- Enter the text corresponding to each option into Field Options box.
Note: Each new line is a new option.
You can rotate the text in the combo box.
- Click on the box next to Rotation.
- Choose the angle of orientation you’d like to use.
- Click OK.
To pick an answer:
- Click on the dropdown box.
- Choose any option from the dropdown menu.
- Click on it to choose.
Deleting a form field
To delete the checkbox, select it. Click on the Recycle bin icon or press the Delete key on your keyboard.