Automatic text insert (using floating field) (?)

[Cayaya]

Hi,

I'm an absolute beginner in Live Cycle Designer, and I'm not very familiar yet with things like scripting,binding, subforms, etc. So if you can help me out, please regard me as a complete dummie and make your instructions very simple and step-by-step.

I searched this forum for the last few hours for solutions to my issue, and I found some questions and answers / solutions that come very close to what I need, but still I can't make it to work.

What I would like to create:

a (interactive?) (dynamic?) form in which the user can fill in some personal information in the first part of the form, in a way that this information automatically appears in different places in a paragraph of static text in another part of the form, and that this static / default text automatically moves with the (automatically) "inserted" text.

I already know this can or should be done with using 'floating fields', but I don't know how exactly. Which settings do I apply to the 'floating field'? Which to the source text(field)? Do I need to add JavaScript to either the source or the floating field? What JavaScript? Which variables do I have to change in what? Etc., etc., etc.

Thank you very much in advance!

[Cayaya]

In my previous post I forgot to write my name, which is Claudy, and I forgot to ask any Dutch helpers to reply me in Dutch.

Also, I forgot the link to an earlier thread on this forum, which describes my problem and possible solutions to it quite well: http://forums.adobe.com/message/1340269#1340269

Thanks again!

Claudy

[Former Community Member]

The issue that you wil face is that the floating field is not interactive. Meaning that it was designed to accept a data stream and rplace the field with the text in the data node that is bound to the field. Then the field is turned into plain text (non interactive) and the text block is reflowed. This can only be done when the form is initially layed out. In your case you want to collect information on one page then have the floating fields elsewhere in the same form adjusted.

There is a post by John Brinkman that is very technical and shows that it can be done .....but it is difficult....or you coudl break the form into two different forms. It comes in two parts:

part 1 - http://blogs.adobe.com/formfeed/2009/10/editable_floating_fields.html

part 2 - http://blogs.adobe.com/formfeed/2009/11/editable_floating_fields_v2.html

The collection form and the display form. In this case the data from the collection form could be passed to the display form and the product woudl work as normal.

Hoep that helps

paul

[Cayaya]

Hello Paul,

Thanks for your response!

As I'm an absolute beginner, so far it's too complicated for me, given the time I have to complete the assignment. So probably it's best I'll leave the issue for now.

But what I still would like to know...

- what is the initial / intential / simple use of floating fields then, if what I want is a few steps further along the path of professional designing a form? (so far I haven't come any further than just to insert a floating field, I didn't manage so far to put any use to it )

- and is using a floating field - for my desired application or in general - not as simple (as it first looked to me) as described in the Help section of LC-D (see below) and in the forum topic to which I posted a link in my original post?

Apart from that I'm an absolute beginner, it's probably also due to the fact that English is not my native language that it's a bit too complicated for me now. I can read, speak and write English quite well, I think, but when it comes to technical language / issues...

Still I'm keen on learning this stuff. So thanks for your effort so far! And if there's a way you (or anyone else) can still teach me something on my simple level... I'll be gratefull!

Best regards,

Claudy

(copied from LC-D Help section)

To insert a floating text field into a text object

You can embed a floating text field in a text object. Floating text fields support the merging of di...text values within text objects. For example, you could embed a floating text field to generate a customer name in the salutation of a form letter.

A floating text field does not have a caption and can be edited as if it were a single character of ...properties of the floating text field must be defined separately in addition to the properties of the text object.

Note: When merging floating fields with data, keep in mind that floating fields cannot span pages.

1. In the text object, place the cursor where you want the floating text field to be merged.
2. Select Insert > Floating Field.
3. Select the floating text field and edit its properties.

To insert a floating field

You can insert a floating field into a text object to display different types of information.

Floating fields are objects that support the merging of text, numeric values, run-time properties, a...scripting within a text object when the form is rendered. You can insert floating fields into text objects only.

Floating fields are text field objects by default, but you can change the object type from the Type ...Field tab of the Object palette.

You can bind floating fields to a data source to display specific text or numeric values. For exampl...can insert a floating field to render individual customer names in the introductory greeting of a form letter. The floating field appears as a TextField object, as shown in this example.

Note: When merging floating fields with data, keep in mind that floating fields cannot span pages. Floating fields are also non- interactive in Acrobat 6.0.2 and Acrobat 7.0.5-compatible forms.

(Dear Mr./Ms. {TextField})

You must set the properties of the floating field object independently of setting the properties of ...object. By default, floating field objects are set to Hidden (Exclude from layout) in the Presence list.

1. Click inside the Text object in which you want to place the floating Text Field object.

2. Place your cursor on the line where you want LiveCycle Designer ES to insert the floating Text Field object.

3. Select Insert > Floating Field.

4. To set the properties of the Floating Field, click the Floating Field marker inside the Text object,...then select options as needed. It is good practice to rename the floating Text Field object and specify the necessary binding.

[Former Community Member]

You woudl use a floating field when you merge a data file with the template. The floating field gets bound to a node in the inbound XML file and when the data is merged onto the template the data is put into that field. It is then turned into text (not an interactive field) and the entire text block is reflowed. Once the form is rendered and the user has control there is no concept of the field left ....this "field" is only available at render time.

Most people use this for feature for print forms.

Paul