Tabs Guide > View > Toolbars > Form Toolbar > Add Check Boxes to Documents

Add Check Boxes to Documents

Check boxes enable users to select predefined options:

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Figure 1. Example Check Boxes

The functionality of PDF-XChange Editor enables a wide range of dynamic customization for check boxes. Click the dropdowns for further information:

1. Click Edit Form, then click the Check Box icon in the Form Toolbar (these locations are highlighted in the image below). A blue square will be displayed at the location of the pointer. This square represents the check box:

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Figure 2. Active Check Box Tool

2. Move the square to the desired location and then click to add the check box to the document. (Use the editing aids detailed here to assist in the precise placement of check boxes). Added check boxes appear as below:

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Figure 3. Added Check Boxes

•Click and drag the yellow control points to resize check boxes.

•Use the options in the Properties Toolbar to determine the style and appearance of check boxes:

•Fill Color determines the color used to fill check boxes.

•Stroke Color determines the border color of check boxes.

•Border Style determines the style of check box borders.

•Border Width determines the width of check box borders.

•Text Color determines the color of the tick when check boxes are selected.

•Properties launches the Check Box Properties pane, which enables the customization of additional elements of check boxes.

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Figure 4. Check Box Tool, Check Box Properties Pane

The Check Box Properties pane can be used to determine a range of style and functionality options for check boxes. For example, it is possible to use the Actions properties to add multiple dynamic actions to check boxes, such as running JavaScript, launching web links and opening files on the local computer. (JavaScript is a high-level programming language that can be used to perform custom operations. See here for an index of existing JavaScript operations that the PDF-XChange Editor forms can use, as well as additional information about JavaScript).

The options detailed below are available for check boxes:

The General properties determine the general parameters of check boxes:

•Read Only determines whether or not the check box can be edited.

•Locked determines whether or not the check boxes can be moved, and whether or not its properties can be modified.

•Field Name determines the name of the check box. This name is present when the Edit Form tool is selected, and when check boxes are listed in the Fields pane.

•Tooltip determines the information displayed when the pointer it hovered over the check box.

•Mapping Name determines the mapping name that the check box uses. This name is used to reference interactive form data when the form is exported, and does so without affecting the appearance of the name in the original document.

•Orientation determines the orientation of the check box.

•Visibility determines the visibility of the check box.

•Required determines whether or not the check box is a required field. Required fields must be filled before documents that contain them can be submitted.

•Exportable determines whether or not the check box data can be exported from the form.

The OC Details property determines the optional content layer to which the check box belongs. When a field belongs to an optional content layer, it displays only when the layer is enabled. Use the Layers pane to view/create/edit layers, as detailed here.

The Style properties determine stylistic elements of check boxes. They are detailed beneath (figure 3).

The Position properties determine the position and dimensions of check boxes:

•Left determines the distance of the check box from the left margin.

•Top determines the distance of the check box from the bottom of the page.

•Width/Height determine the width/height of the check box.

The Default Text Format properties determine the default properties when text is entered into the check box:

•Font Size is always set to auto for check boxes. This is because the font size refers to the size of the tick when check boxes are selected, and the tick must be proportionate to the size of the check box.

•Text Color determines the color of the tick when check boxes are selected.

The Options properties determine additional options for check boxes:

•Check Box Style determines the icon used when check boxes are selected.

•Export Value determines the value that represents check boxes when they are exported.

•Checked by Default determines whether or not the check box is checked by default.

The Actions properties determine the action taken when users interact with the check box:

•Mouse Down initiates an action when the left mouse button is pressed (without being released).

•Mouse Up initiates an action when the left mouse button is clicked (pressed and released).

•Mouse Enter initiates an action when the pointer moves into the check box.

•Mouse Leave initiates an action when the pointer moves out of the check box.

•On Focus initiates an action when the check box is selected.

•On Blur initiates an action when the check box is deselected.

•Click the ellipsis icon on the right of actions to add/edit check box actions:

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Figure 5. Check Box Properties Pane, Action Ellipses

The process of adding actions is detailed here.