Common field parameters
All PDF editor fields have parameters allowing you to modify field properties according to your case. To open filed parameters, click on the desired field - this will open the parameters panel on the right part of the editor.
Fields parameters vary depending on the field type, but some of them are similar for all or almost all field types. Let’s consider field parameters before proceeding to each field type.
The following parameters are similar for all field types:
Database field name - by default contains the field type and order number (for example, Text_1) but you can modify it. Used to identify fields when creating formulas, conditions, and for data transfer within integrations.
Add some text to help - allows you to write hints for recipients to help them complete documents correctly.
Required field - makes the field required or optional for completion.
Make this field conditional - allows to show or hide the field under a specified conditional logic.
Note (except for Formula) - allows to add some additional notes or hints for recipients that appear as pop-ups when a recipient clicks on the field.
Text, Date, Number, Dropdown, and Formula fields have similar parameters as follows:
Line spacing - preset an interval between text lines for recipients.
View mode (except for Dropdown) - set how the field content will be aligned within the field. Click on the blue ‘I’ icon to learn more about the available options.
Preset text formatting for your recipients by using the panel that appears when you click on one of the mentioned fields. Formatting includes font type and size, style (bold, italics, or underlined), and text alignment.
Note: Recipients won’t be able to format the text they enter, so the formatting that you set will be default for them.
Now, let’s look closely at each field type.
Text
Use the Text field to collect any text data such as names, addresses, phone numbers, zip codes, social security numbers, and so on.
In advanced options, adjust text parameters for recipients:
Placeholder - add a placeholder as a hint telling your recipient which information they have to enter in the field.
Max characters/lines - set limits for the text your recipients can enter in characters and/or in lines.
Characters in cells - move the toggle to separate a field into cells. Thus, every character will be written in a separate cell, which comes in handy for forms.
Letter case - preset the case type for the text.
Default text - pre-fill the field with a default text and lock it if necessary. To do that, you have to add a Text field and go to the Edit tab. Then, complete the field with the information you need.
Go back to the Add Fields tab and open the field parameters. Click on the lock icon to lock the field.
When a recipient opens the document, the field will already contain data an be unavailable for editing. If you choose not to lock the field, recipients will be able to edit the content pre-filled by you.
Use validation to request specific information such as emails or zip codes. Note that the recipient must enter information that matches the validation format to complete the document.
Signature and initials
Signature and Initials fields are used to certify documents and have similar parameters.
Recipients add their signatures and initials by typing them, drawing with the help of a touchpad or mouse, or making a photo and uploading it. In the parameters, indicate the way how recipients can add their signatures or initials by ticking respective options.
Date
Use this field to enter dates in various formats. Date formats can contain days, months, years, hours, minutes, and seconds. The date format is set to MM/DD/YYYY by default. However, you can change its default parameters:
Default:
User’s system date - allows for setting the date value from a user’s device. The date will be set when a user opens a form for filling.
Custom date - allows for selecting the default date value from the calendar.
First available date - allows for selecting the first available date.
Set available dates - allows to set a date range from which recipients can pick dates.
Validation - allows to preset the date format.
Number
Use this field to collect numerical values such as numbers and decimals only. In the parameters, set the following options:
Default number - allows pre-filling the field with numerical values and lock the field. Works in the same way as for Text field.
Placeholder - add a placeholder as a hint telling your recipient which information they have to enter in the field.
Max characters - set limits for the number of characters your recipients can enter.
Characters in cells - move the toggle to separate a field into cells. Thus, every character will be written in a separate cell, which comes in handy for forms.
Validation - indicate what kind of numbers recipients have to enter in the field. It can be currency type or age, as well as integers that can be used in formulas. Keep in mind that the recipient must enter values that match validation to complete the document.
Indicate the minimum and maximum value recipients can enter.
Checkbox, Radio buttons, and Dropdown
Use these fields so that your recipients can provide their answers by selecting values from a picklist.
For Checkbox fields:
Type of Radio - select the icon for the radio appearance.
Default - in the Edit tab, check the options you need and then lock your choice by clicking the lock icon. The recipient will receive a document with pre-checked checkboxes. If you choose not to lock the field, recipients will be able to change fields pre-filled by you.
For Radio button fields, enter the options into the text box that appears when you place a field in the document and select how the radio option will be aligned on the page.
Also, in the field parameters, you can select the radio's appearance and change the option name.
For Dropdown fields, add dropdown values by clicking +Add and entering option names in the field. Rearrange options by dragging them across the list, edit their names by clicking on the pencil, or delete by clicking on the cross.
Indicate how recipients can select options. You can allow them to select several options or add their own options by moving respective toggles.
In the advanced options, indicate:
Placeholder - add a placeholder as a hint telling your recipient which information they have to enter in the field.
Max characters/lines - set limits for the text your recipients can enter in characters and/or in lines. Relevant for cases when you ‘Allow an empty choice’, and recipients can enter text.
Letter case - preset the case type for the text.
Image
Use this field to request your recipients to upload images, for example, photos.
Formula
This field allows you to make calculations on a form automatically. The result depends on the values entered by recipients in the Number fields.
In the parameters, type the formula you need using mathematical operators and taking values into curly braces. In our example, the Formula field will show the total amount of the indicated Number fields after the document completion.
Use the options below to:
Indicate the rounding format - click on the arrows to add or remove decimals.
Show trailing zeros - check this option if you want to show trailing zeros in the formula.
In the advanced options, indicate the format of numbers.
Template fields
Template fields are Text, Number, and Dropdown fields with already preset custom parameters for particular cases. They are aimed at saving your time when preparing documents since they’re designed for the most frequently collected information in documents and forms.
For example, the Credit Card Number field already contains the respective name and hint text.
