This article is based on legacy software.
You may want to know the date that a user completes a form. You can insert a text field in your PDF form that will automatically insert the current date. This field uses a simple JavaScript at the page level. Adding an automatic date field is a two-step process: First you must add the Date field. Then, you must add the JavaScript to the Page Properties.
Inserting the Date Field
The date will appear as part of a text field.
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Open the PDF file that you will use the form for.
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From the Forms menu, select Add or Edit Fields...
Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro enters Form Editing mode and the Forms toolbar appears.
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Click Text Field Tool.
HINT: The cursor changes to a cross hairs. The cross hairs allow you to align the field with the ruler, text, or another field. -
Position the cursor where you want the text field to begin.
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Click and drag the mouse until the text field reaches the desired size.
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Release the mouse button.
The Field Name entry box appears.
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In the Field Name text box, type a name for the date field.
EXAMPLE: Type Today.
NOTE: The name that you assign will be used in the Javascript and must match. -
Click Show All Properties.
The Text Field Properties dialog box appears.
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On the General tab, in the Common Properties section, select Read Only.
NOTES:
An option is selected when a check appears in the box next to it.
This is necessary for calculated fields such as a date. - On the Format tab
- From the Select format category pull-down list, select Date.
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From the Date Options scroll box, select a date format option.
NOTE: This representation of the date format will be used when adding the JavaScript. An example of the date format is shown below the list.
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Click Close.
The date field is inserted.
Adding the JavaScript
The javascript is applied to the page. Therefore, you must be out of Form Editing mode.
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If you are not out of Form Editing mode, click Close Form Editing.
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From the Navigation pane, click Pages.
NOTES:
The Pages pane opens.
This action toggles between hiding and displaying the Pages pane. -
Right click the page thumbnail of your form that contains the Date field » select Page Properties...
The Page Properties dialog box appears. -
Select the Actions tab.
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In the Add an Action section, from the Select Trigger pull-down list, select Page Open.
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From the Select Action pull-down list, select Run a JavaScript.
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Click Add...
The JavaScript Editor dialog box appears.
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Type the text shown here:
var f = this.getField("Today");
f.value = util.printd("mmm/d/yyyy", new Date());
NOTES:
Improper spacing in the text may affect results.
The field reference must match the name you assigned to the text box in step 7 of Inserting the Date Field.
The date format must match the format you selected in step 10 of Inserting the Date Field. -
Click OK.
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Click OK.
The JavaScript is added. -
From the file menu » select Save As...
The Save As dialog box appears. -
Using the Save in pull-down list, select a save location.
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In the File name text box, type the file name.
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Click Save.
The PDF is saved with the JavaScript programmed into it.