Appendix H: PDFs

PDFs are created using Adobe Acrobat or PDF 995. Interactive PDFs are enhanced versions of regular PDFs. Interactive PDFs are intended to let Web users complete forms online and print them from their computer, whereas regular PDFs are read-only. In order to view any PDF users need Adobe Acrobat Reader, available for free download from Adobe at: www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Interactive forms must be designated with ( PDF) following the form name.
Example: Undergraduate Application - New Applicants ( PDF)

CSU's Interactive PDF Icon can be found at:
http://webs.colstate.edu/pdf/interactive4.gif

Note: Each department is responsible for purchasing their own Adobe Acrobat license. Submit a request for a price quote using eQuest (through CougarNet) to begin the process of obtaining a copy.

PDF Form Elements
There are several form elements that can be added to your PDF form, including:

1. Buttons

2. Check Boxes

3. Combo Boxes

4. List Boxes

5. Radio Buttons

6. Form Fields

7. Digital Signatures

The Text Box is probably the most common PDF form element. The instructions that follow detail the steps for adding a Text Box to your PDF.

Adding a Text Box to Your PDF

Text boxes must be placed in the appropriate fields on a form so that the user can add his/her information.

Example: First Name: [text box] Last Name: [text box]
To add a Text Box:

1. Click Tools

2. Click Advanced Editing

3. Click Forms

4. Click Text Field Tool

Appearance Standards

Appearance standards let users know that they are viewing an interactive form and which text fields are available for entering text.

Text Field Properties: Appearance

1. Right-click the text box.

2. Select Properties from the menu. A Text Field Properties box will open.

3. Select the Appearance tab
   Inside the Text Field Properties box set:
   a. The border color to none
   b. Fill color = FFFFCA (light yellow)
   c. Font size = 12
   d. Font = Helvetica Text Color = 000000 (black)

Text Field Properties Continued: Options

1. Select the Options tab
2. Deselect Scroll long text
   
   
   

Page Properties: Tab Order
Setting the tab order allows users to Tab from one text area to the next in a designated order. Generally, the tab order should run from left to right, top to bottom. To set the tab order to run from left to right, top to bottom:

1. Click the Pages tab on the left.

1. Right-click one of the pages that appears to the right of the pages tab.

1. Select Page Properties.
2. Select Use Row Order.

Interactive PDF Notice

When you include an Interactive PDF on your page, include the following information at the bottom of the page or in the section where the PDF appears.


Include the following text on pages with interactive forms:


Forms with the interactive icon beside the name can be filled out online using Acrobat Reader.
(Note: PDF forms cannot be submitted online at this time)

"Get Adobe Reader" Icon

On all pages that link to a PDF or Interactive PDF, include a "Get Adobe Reader" icon and a link to the Adobe Acrobat Reader download page. Link the Reader icon to www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html


Below is an example of a page with interactive PDF links and Get Acrobat Reader icon.