PDF Forms, Auto-Calculate

Adobe PDF Forms can contain fields that auto-calculate. These can include fields containing user-input
values and fields containing unchanging values set by the forms designer.
NOTE: For more on PDF Forms, go to:
http://academic.cuesta.edu/training/training_materials/PDF_Forms_QR.pdf

The example below illustrates creating a form using the following fields:
NumberOfTickets - User enters how many tickets they wish to purchase
TicketPrice Contains a set value, 12, the price of a single ticket
TotalPrice An auto-calculating field; number of tickets * ticket price

1. Create a Word document with spaces for user-input and calculation fields.
2. Convert the Word document into a PDF form using Acrobat Pro:
a. In Acrobat click Create.
b. Select PDF Form or Online Form.
c. Select Use an existing file and then click Next.
d. Select Import a file from file system and then click the Browse button.
e. Locate and open the Word document to convert, and then click Next.
f. Click OK.
Steps
3. If necessary, edit the fields requiring
user-input, formatting appropriately.

PDF Forms, Auto-Calculate

Example
i.
Locate or create a text field for the number of
tickets, calling it NumberOfTickets.
ii.
Double-click the NumberOfTickets field and on
the Format tab, set Select format category to
Number, Decimal Places to 0, and Currency
Symbol to None.

Page 1 of 4

Last Revised Date: April 25, 2014

Steps
4. Add and/or edit fields containing static
(unchanging) values to be used in
calculation, selecting the Read Only
option and entering a number in the
Default Value field.

PDF Forms, Auto-Calculate

Example
i.
Add a text field, calling it TicketPrice.
ii.
Double-click the TicketPrice field and on the
General tab, click the check box for Read Only.

iii.

On the TicketPrice field Properties Options tab,

enter the static value to be computed (i.e. 12) in
the Default Value field.

iv.

On the TicketPrice field Properties Format tab,

set Select format category to Number and
Currency Symbol to $.

Page 2 of 4

Last Revised Date: April 25, 2014

Steps
5. Add and/or edit fields containing
calculation results, selecting the Read
Only option and creating a calculation.

PDF Forms, Auto-Calculate

Example
i.
Add a text field for the total ticket price, calling it
TotalPrice.
ii.
Double-click the TotalPrice field and on the
General tab click the check box, Read Only.

iii.

On the TotalPrice field Properties Format tab, set

Select format category to Number and
Currency Symbol to $.

iv.

On the TotalPrice field Properties Calculate tab,

click the button for Value is the and set the
dropdown to product (x).

v.

Click the Pick button.

Page 3 of 4

Last Revised Date: April 25, 2014

Steps

Example
(The Field Selection screen will display)

vi.

Select the check boxes for NumberOfTickets

and TotalPrice, and then click OK.

vii.

Close the Text Field Properties window.

6. Make any other necessary changes and save the PDF form.
7. Reopen the form in Acrobat Pro and, from the menu bar, select File > Save As > Reader Extended
PDF > Enable Additional Features.
The Enable Usage Rights in Adobe Reader will display.

8. Click Save Now.

9. Save the document, either with a new name or with the same name replacing the original PDF form.

PDF Forms, Auto-Calculate

Page 4 of 4

Last Revised Date: April 25, 2014