Position adjustments for fields (both image and text) are sometimes necessary. The positioning feature will also allow you to change the width and the height of the form field. This is helpful when you just need to tweak a field without having to make changes to the PDF itself and re-upload it to the template.
To locate the positioning option, go to: Templates > Choose to edit your template > Field Setup > Choose the field that needs adjusting > select the Positioning tab. Positioning is available for both versions of eDocBuilder.
Note: Settings on the Stacking Groups tab will override any positioning changes that apply. So if the text is set to Slide Up on the Stacking Groups tab you cannot set it lower on the Positioning Tab. You could however still change the left to right position.
Before making changes, be sure to Define the units of measure in the top right corner of creator.
Emulate Acrobat Text Field Positioning - The purpose of this is to attempt to tweak the output with how Adobe Acrobat presents filled in fields. The positioning is approximate.
- None - means no special positioning.
- Single Line - enforces vertical center alignment, insets the text by 2.5 points horizontally from the edge, and moves the field down by 6% of the font size.
- Multiline - enforces vertical top alignment, insets the text by 2.5 points horizontally and 3 points vertically from the edge, uses 116% of the point size for "auto" leading, and moves the field down by 6% of the font size.
Override Positioning from PDF - The four entries allow repositioning of your text, graphic, or image field to any position within your document instead of just tweaking the positioning from the PDF. If you want to override the field position in the PDF then check this box.
Measurement Settings - The default entry for these fields is zero. It is important to note that these fields must be populated with a dimension, even if changes are not made. The units of measure dropdown may be set to Points, Inches, Feet, Microns, Millimeters, Centimeters, and Meters.
- Left - Assign a position in relation to the left edge or margin of your document.
- Bottom - Assign a position in relation to the distance from the bottom edge of your document.
- Width - Enter the width of the form field. If changes do not need to be made, enter what the original setting is.
- Height - Enter the height of the form field. If changes do not need to be made, enter what the original setting is.
*Please note: the positioning will not work if you leave any of the settings to zero. Either an entry by you, or the original setting (shown in parenthesis) needs to be entered.
Example
Fixing a field's position can often be done by editing the master pdf and uploading the fixed pdf to your existing template. However there are times where using the existing pdf and altering the position and rotation through eDocBuilder may be the better answer. In this example the Name field needs to be vertical at the left end of the template. Simply rotating the field alone will not give the correct position. The Positioning tab is used here to get the text in the exact spot needed.
Before
Figure 1 shows the name field in its unchanged position.
After
Figure 2 shows the name field after being rotated on the Format tab and then moved into place using the Positioning tab.
Other Uses for Positioning Tab
The above example is just one way you may use the Positioning Tab, there are several more situations you might want to use it.
- Minor text and image adjustments. If you have finished your template but notice one of your fields is just slightly out of place. Instead of redoing the master pdf, then reuploading the fixed master pdf you can simply go to the positioning tab for the field and make slight adjustments. Save, Commit Changes, and Test. This will tell you right away if it is now in the correct position.
- Building your Master PDF. Another way to construct your master PDF is to place each of the form fields in acrobat in an approximate position. Then, after uploading the master to creator.edocbuilder, you can use the positioning tab to get those fields in the exact position with the exact width and height needed. Simply make a note from your layout program (such as InDesign) of the exact coordinates and size of your text fields and then enter that information in the positioning tab for each of your fields.
- Changing the size of a form field. If a field is too small for the desired text or image you can use the Positioning Tab to increase the width and/or height of the field.