How to Make Text Fit in a Fillable PDF Field Without the Plus Sign
Question details
Users need to ensure text fits completely within a fillable PDF form field without generating an expanded plus sign, which can cause issues when printing or faxing the document.
- Product
- PDF Editor
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Filling out or designing a PDF claim form where the entered text exceeds the fixed field size.
- Observed behavior
- When too much text is entered, a plus sign appears indicating overset text, and the text does not scale down to fit the allotted field space.
Determine whether you only have permission to fill out the form, or if you have authoring rights to edit the PDF form's underlying field properties.
Change Field Font Size to Auto (For Form Designers)
If you created the form or have editing permissions, you can adjust the field properties to automatically scale text to fit the box.
This is the most effective solution, as it allows users to type as much as they need while keeping the document layout intact for faxing and printing.
Open the PDF document in your PDF editor or Adobe Acrobat, and launch the 'Prepare Form' or 'Form Edit' tool.
Right-click on the specific text field that is overflowing and select 'Properties' from the context menu.
Navigate to the 'Appearance' tab in the Properties window. Find the 'Font Size' dropdown menu and change it to 'Auto'.
Close the properties dialog box and save your PDF document. Any text entered into this field will now shrink automatically to fit the visible area.
Adjust Text Length (For Form Fillers)
If you do not have permission to edit the PDF form's design, you are restricted by the original creator's field settings.
Use WPS PDF to Design and Fill Forms Seamlessly
WPS Office includes a powerful PDF editor that allows you to easily modify form fields, adjust text properties to 'Auto' for a perfect fit, and fill out documents without formatting issues.
- 1. Open WPS PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF form using the built-in WPS PDF tool.
- 2. Enter Form Editing Mode: Navigate to the 'Form' tab on the top ribbon and select the text field you wish to modify.
- 3. Adjust Text Properties: Open the field properties and change the font size setting to 'Auto' to prevent the overflow plus sign.
- 4. Save and Share: Save your optimized PDF form so that it can be shared, filled, and printed flawlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a plus sign appear when I type in a PDF form?
The plus sign indicates that the text you have entered exceeds the physical boundaries of the text field. It serves as a warning that some text will be hidden when printing or viewing outside of edit mode.
Can I force a locked PDF form to resize my text?
No, if the form creator locked the document or restricted editing, you cannot change the field properties. You must either abbreviate your text or contact the author for an updated version.
Will the plus sign print if I leave it there?
In most PDF readers, the plus sign itself may not print, but the text that overflows the box will be cut off, resulting in incomplete information on your printed or faxed document.
