How to Format Calculated Exam End Times in Acrobat PDF Forms
Question details
The user needs to correctly calculate and format an exam end time in a PDF form using JavaScript without triggering a parameter oDate error.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Calculating an exam deadline based on a start time, test duration, and multiplier, then outputting the result into a PDF form field.
- Observed behavior
- The util.printd function returns a "TypeError: Invalid argument type" (Parameter oDate) when trying to format the calculated time as "h:MM tt".
Verify that your PDF form fields for the start time and test duration are configured with consistent formatting, and ensure you have access to the JavaScript calculation tab for the target deadline field.
Pass a Valid JavaScript Date Object to util.printd
Resolve the Invalid Argument error by ensuring the variable passed to the util.printd function is a constructed JavaScript Date object, not a string or millisecond integer.
The util.printd method in PDF JavaScript strictly requires a Date object as its second parameter. Passing a formatted string or a raw millisecond integer will result in a Parameter oDate TypeError.
Use the util.scand function to convert the string value of your start time field into a valid Date object. For example: var start = util.scand("mm/dd/yyyy h:MM tt", "01/01/1970 " + this.getField("StartTimeField").valueAsString);
Add your calculated test duration (which must be converted to milliseconds) to the start time's millisecond value to create a new Date object. Use: var end = new Date(start.getTime() + testDurationInMilliseconds);
Use util.printd to format the newly created Date object, and assign it to the field using the event.value property. Type: event.value = util.printd("h:MM tt", end);
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- 1. Open WPS Office: Launch the WPS Office application on your device and navigate to the PDF module.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does util.printd throw an Invalid Argument type error?
This error occurs when the second parameter passed to the util.printd function is not a recognized JavaScript Date object. Attempting to pass text strings or numeric millisecond values will directly trigger the oDate error.
How do I convert a text string to a Date object in a PDF form?
You can use the util.scand method for this conversion. Provide the exact format mask of your string as the first parameter and the time string itself as the second parameter to generate a valid Date object.
Why is my calculation not displaying in the PDF field?
In PDF calculation scripts, you must strictly assign your final output to the field using the event.value property. If you miss the equals sign or assign it to an undeclared variable, the result will not appear in the target field.
