PDF forms with a twist

August 18, 2010 7:09 AM

Is it possible to create a fillable PDF form that includes logic? Assume there is a sum calculation with total of $1000.00 If check box = selected, tax=12%, else if check box off, tax =0. If check box is selected, the tax field will show $120.00 and the grand total below it (sum of total + tax) will be $1120.00 If check box is not selected, grand total will be $1000.00 What is needed to do the above? Javascript? Any example will be welcome! BB
posted by bright77blue to Computers & Internet (4 answers total)

Yes, using Acrobat you can program PDFs with JavaScript. Unfortunately, there have been a lot of security problems with JavaScript in PDFs, so many users, especially in corporate environments, have that function disabled. Also, the script won't work in a lot of non-Adobe PDF readers.
posted by jedicus at 7:22 AM on August 18, 2010

There's also a simpler programming method called FormCalc. Here's the User Reference [pdf].

Anyway, I believe you'll need to use Adobe LiveCycle Designer to do scripting.
posted by jedicus at 7:33 AM on August 18, 2010

Anyway, I believe you'll need to use Adobe LiveCycle Designer to do scripting.

No, you can use Acrobat Professional. Not Reader, but the full Acrobat product.
posted by sideshow at 4:23 PM on August 19, 2010

Alternatively, you could collect the form fields and perform the calculation in JavaScript on a web page, then use the information to dynamically generate the PDF form that's print-ready. The benefit of this approach is that you can easily integrate the workflow with existing data, assuming you have a database?
posted by schien at 4:38 PM on August 24, 2010