How to Show a Hidden Calculation Field Before Submitting a PDF Form
Question details
The user needs to make a hidden calculation field visible in the final submitted PDF copy, while keeping it hidden from the person filling out the form.
- Product
- PDF Editor
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A PDF form contains check boxes that generate points in a calculation field. The creator wants the calculated points to be visible on the submitted copy but hidden during the form completion process.
- Observed behavior
- By default, if a field is set to hidden, it remains hidden on the submitted form unless specifically triggered to become visible during the submission action.
Ensure you have access to a PDF editor with advanced form creation tools, and verify that both your calculation field and the Submit button have already been placed in your document.
Use MouseUp Actions on the Submit Button
You can control the visibility of the calculation field during the submission click by stacking multiple actions on the Submit button, eliminating the need for complex JavaScript.
PDF form buttons allow you to execute a sequence of actions from a single click. By carefully ordering these actions, you can temporarily reveal the calculation field, execute the submission so the recipient sees the field, and immediately hide it again so the sender's view remains unchanged.
Open your document in your PDF editor, enter form editing mode, right-click the 'Submit' button, and select 'Properties'.
Navigate to the 'Actions' tab. Choose 'MouseUp' as the trigger. Select 'Show/Hide a field' from the action dropdown menu, click 'Add', and set your calculation field's state to visible.
Without changing the trigger (leave it as 'MouseUp'), select 'Submit a form' from the action dropdown and click 'Add'. Configure your submission destination (such as an email or server URL).
Finally, select 'Show/Hide a field' once more, click 'Add', and set the calculation field's state to hidden. Click 'Close' or 'OK' to save the button properties.
Create and Configure PDF Form Fields with WPS Office
WPS Office offers a comprehensive PDF editor that allows you to effortlessly design interactive forms, configure multi-step button actions, and manage hidden calculation fields without writing any code.
- 1. Open your form: Launch WPS Office and open your fillable PDF document.
- 2. Access form tools: Click on the 'Form' tab in the top navigation ribbon to reveal advanced form editing options.
- 3. Configure the button: Double-click your Submit button to open its interactive properties. Use the Actions menu to sequence your Show, Submit, and Hide commands instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use JavaScript instead of built-in button actions to show the field?
Yes, you can write a custom JavaScript script triggered by the submit button to alter the field's display property. However, using the built-in MouseUp actions is usually much simpler, less prone to errors, and requires zero coding knowledge.
Why does the calculation field continue to work if it is hidden?
In PDF forms, calculation fields process data and update their values based on other user inputs (like check boxes or dropdowns) regardless of their visibility settings. Hiding a field only affects its display on the screen, not its internal logic.
Why should I use MouseUp instead of MouseDown for the trigger?
MouseUp is the standard user interface practice for clicking actions. It allows users to cancel their click by pressing the mouse button down, realizing they made a mistake, and dragging their cursor off the button before releasing it. MouseDown executes the moment the button is pressed, which is generally discouraged.
Will the person filling out the form see the field flash on the screen?
Typically, because the execution of the Show, Submit, and Hide actions happens in a fraction of a millisecond, the user submitting the form will not notice the field becoming visible and then hiding again.
