Creating interactive forms that have a flowable layout

Using Designer, you can create interactive PDF or HTML forms for data capture that have a flowable layout. This type of form combines both flowable elements and interactive form functionality so that users can enter data directly into expandable fields, add or remove sections, and return the form data electronically. For example, you can create an interactive form where users can add or remove item rows and can choose to add their comments to the form. (See Form design layouts .)

To fill interactive PDF forms that have a flowable layout, end users need Acrobat 7.0.5 or Adobe Reader 7.0.5 or later.

To fill interactive HTML forms that have a flowable layout, end users require a client application such as a web browser. (See Creating HTML forms .)

Keep in mind that you can also use the Action Builder dialog box on the Tools menu to build common interactive capabilities in forms that have a flowable layout, without writing scripts. (See Build an action .)

When creating interactive forms that have a flowable layout, many form authors prefer to start with an interactive form design that has a fixed layout. By starting in this manner, you can see the form in its final state. The form design provides the final layout including all the elements that users need.

After completing the form design in fixed layout, you can then begin to divide it into its essential parts, identify the subforms, and specify how they will flow the data being entered into the form.

Adding dynamic capabilities to an interactive form typically involves the following techniques:

• Position the header and footer on the master page

• Wrap form objects in subforms and setting occurrence values

• Modify margins to accommodate subforms

• Use overflow leader and overflow trailer subforms

• Create subforms with flowable elements

• Create a button to add and remove a section

• Create add and delete buttons

In addition, you must understand how to add and remove subforms so that the form can respond to the amount of data a user enters. (See Add and remove subform instances using scripting and Add and remove tables and table rows by using scripting .)

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