Field formatting options

Learn more about the options for formatting form fields, validating input, and configuring barcode properties in Adobe Acrobat.

Field formatting options in Adobe Acrobat let you to control how data is entered, displayed, and validated in PDF forms. By applying appropriate formatting, you can improve data consistency, reduce errors, and streamline the form-filling process.

Format text and dropdown fields

The options in the Format tab in the Form Field Properties depend on your selection in the Select format category dropdown menu. The Example of the current format field displays a live preview of the settings. 

• None: No specific formatting is required.
• Number: Automatically formats numeric entries. Options include decimal places, separator style, currency symbol, symbol location, and negative number style.
• Percentage: Formats numeric data as percentages. Options for decimal places and separator style.
• Date: Format dates. Options for one-, two-, and four-digit date variations.
• Time: Formats time entries. Options for 12-hour or 24-hour clock display, minutes, seconds, and AM/PM.
• Special: Formats specific data types such as Zip Code, Zip Code + 4, Phone Number, and Social Security Number. Allows for an Arbitrary Mask for custom formats.
  • A: Accepts only letters (A–Z, a-z)
  • X: Accepts spaces and most printable characters
  • O: Accepts alphanumeric characters (A–Z, a-z, and 0–9)
  • 9: Accepts only numeric characters (0–9)
• Custom: Allows advanced formatting using custom JavaScript scripts. It includes options to add and edit Custom Format Script and Custom Keystroke Script.

Validate

• Field value is not validated: Disables validation.
• Field value is in range: Sets numeric range limits.
• Run custom validation script: Validates using custom JavaScript scripts.

Barcode value properties

The Value tab is exclusive to Barcode field properties and offers these options:

• Encode using: Allows selection of encoding methods. Options include:
• XML: Encodes data in standard XFDF format, generating a JavaScript script automatically.
• Tab Delimited: Encodes fields as tab-delimited values, useful for fitting more data into the barcode or for copying data into database or spreadsheet tables. JavaScript script is automatically generated.
• Pick: Opens a dialog box to select user data fields for barcode encoding.
• Include field names: Only available with tab-delimited encoding. Encodes field names as the first line of barcode contents, with values encoded below them.
• Custom calculation script: Displays default script. Select Edit to open the JavaScript Editor for custom calculation scripts.
• Reference to published form:
  • Displays the path to the PDF form.
  • Allows editing the URL to the published form.
  • Helps recreate a digital version of the completed form by merging the form template with user-supplied data.
  • Maintains the relationship between the form template and barcode data files.