How to Remove Unwanted Commas from Restricted PDF Form Fields
Question details
The user needs to remove automatic comma formatting from a purchase order number field in a PDF form created by another person.
- Product
- PDF Forms
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Filling out or editing a PDF form where a specific field is incorrectly applying number formatting.
- Observed behavior
- The purchase order field automatically inserts unwanted commas as thousands separators, whereas it should contain a completely unformatted value.
Check whether the PDF document is secured with a permissions password or digitally signed, as these restrictions must be removed before you can edit the form field properties.
Change the Form Field Format Settings
If the PDF is not secured against editing, you can directly adjust the form field properties to remove the automatic number formatting.
PDF forms often use automated formatting for numbers, dates, and percentages. By changing the field's format category to 'None', you can prevent the automatic insertion of commas in fields like purchase order numbers or ID fields.
Open the PDF document in your PDF editing software and activate the 'Prepare Form' or 'Form Editing' mode to make the fields interactive.
Right-click on the purchase order number field that contains the unwanted commas and select 'Properties' from the context menu.
Navigate to the 'Format' tab in the properties window and change the 'Select format category' dropdown to 'None' or a custom text format.
Close the properties window and save the document. The field will now accept unformatted text.
Request an Unlocked Version of the PDF
If the PDF form is secured with a permissions password or has been digitally signed, you cannot alter the form fields yourself.
Easily Edit PDF Form Properties with WPS Office
WPS Office includes a robust built-in PDF editor that allows you to effortlessly modify PDF form fields. Whether you need to fix formatting issues, remove unwanted commas, or fill out complex forms, WPS makes it simple and efficient.
- 1. Open the PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document containing the form.
- 2. Access Form Editing: Navigate to the 'Form' tab on the top ribbon and click on 'Form Editing' to make the form fields selectable.
- 3. Open Field Properties: Right-click the specific purchase order field and choose 'Properties' from the dropdown menu.
- 4. Remove Formatting: Go to the Format settings within the properties dialog and change it to 'None' to remove the automatic commas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PDF form field automatically add commas to numbers?
The form creator likely set the field's format category to 'Number' with a thousands separator style enabled. This automatically formats long strings of digits with commas, which is helpful for currency or measurements but problematic for reference IDs or purchase order numbers.
Can I edit the form field properties if the PDF is digitally signed?
No. Digitally signing a PDF generally locks the document and its form fields to prevent tampering and ensure document integrity. You will need to clear the signature or obtain an unsigned copy of the file to modify the field's properties.
How can I tell if a PDF form is restricted against editing?
Open the PDF and check the Document Properties, usually found under File > Properties. Navigate to the Security tab and check the Document Restrictions Summary. If 'Changing the Document' or 'Form Field Fill-in or Signing' is set to 'Not Allowed', the PDF is restricted.
