When
designing an interactive form that has a fixed layout, must provide
a sufficient number of item lines for users to fill. However, if
you wrap the item lines in subforms that are set to flow content,
users can add item lines as they need them.
Because of the dynamic capabilities of subforms, you can include
one or two item lines in the form along with Add and Delete buttons.
By wrapping the objects in a subform, you can determine when, where,
and how many times particular subforms are repeated by using the
options on the Subform and Binding tabs of the Object palette.
Wrapping groups of form objects in subforms is an important part
of creating a form with dynamic functionality.
Subforms contain and control the objects arranged within sections
of the form to maintain the form’s layout as it adjusts in length
according to the amount of incoming data. Subforms preserve the
x and y coordinates of each object to ensure that the objects move
as a unit and are placed together.
When you wrap groups of objects in subforms, you ensure that,
regardless of the amount of data contained in the form, the format
of each section and the layout of the entire form remains consistent
and predictable.
Remember that end users must see at least one item row to enter
data when they open the form. That means that you must set the Min
Count option for the subform to at least 1. Depending on the form,
initially displaying two or more rows in the PDF form can give the
form a more balanced appearance, as well as result in a more intuitive
and functional end-user experience.
Subforms also provide the dynamic capabilities that let users
add or remove rows and sections in the form. For example, you can
include various buttons that users can use to add and remove item
rows or to submit comments.
Plan how you want to wrap objects in subforms to create sections
in your form design. Then test the form design to ensure that the
subforms move and repeat as you intended and do not break across
pages in ways not intended.
