Fix Currency Formatting Disappearing When Sending a PDF for Signature
Question details
The user needs to prevent currency formatting (such as dollar signs and decimals) from being lost when a PDF is sent through an electronic signature workflow.
- Product
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Sending an interactive PDF form containing formatted currency fields out for electronic signature.
- Observed behavior
- A currency field that correctly displays values like $5,000.00 in the PDF editor loses its formatting and reverts to plain numbers (e.g., 50000) after the document is processed by the signing workflow.
Before adjusting your form fields, ensure you have a saved backup of your original, editable PDF document so you can safely test different field properties.
Verify Original Field Properties and Test the Workflow
Ensure the currency format is properly defined in the original PDF field properties to prevent the signature service from dropping the formatting.
Many electronic signature platforms rebuild or flatten form fields for security reasons. If the original field is not strictly defined as a currency format, the signing service may default to displaying it as plain text.
Open your original PDF document in your PDF editor, right-click the affected currency form field, and select 'Properties'.
Navigate to the 'Format' tab and ensure the format category is explicitly set to 'Number' (with a currency symbol and decimal places) or 'Special'.
Save the changes to the PDF and run a test document through your complete electronic signature workflow to confirm the formatting is preserved.
Recreate the Field in the Signature Template
If the signing service overrides the original PDF formatting, recreate the currency field using the signature platform's native tools.
Edit Forms and Sign PDFs Confidently with WPS PDF
WPS PDF provides robust form editing and document signing capabilities, allowing you to correctly format currency fields and apply electronic signatures without losing essential data formatting.
- 1. Open the PDF Form: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document using the WPS PDF tool.
- 2. Format Form Fields: Access the Form tab, select your text field properties, and ensure the format is set to display currency properly.
- 3. Sign the Document: Navigate to the Fill & Sign feature to safely add your signature without breaking the document's structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PDF lose formatting when sent for signature?
This usually happens because the electronic signature workflow flattens, rebuilds, or replaces interactive form fields with plain text to secure the document, which can strip away the original format metadata.
How do I ensure currency formats stay as $5,000.00 instead of 50000?
Ensure the field properties in your PDF editor are explicitly set to the 'Number' format with an attached currency symbol and two decimal places before uploading the document to the signing service.
Do I need to recreate fields in my signature platform?
Sometimes. If your signature platform strips standard PDF formatting by default during the import process, you may need to use the platform's native form builder tools to designate the field as a currency input directly on the signature template.
