Tab Order of the Radio buttons is mixed

OlegsLemke

So, I need to fix a lot of old files, that worked just fine, tab order was set in InDesign and PDFs were created using FormMaker 3.1.0.
Now I`m using FormMaker 4.0.12. Tested it with no changes (opened old file and created PDF). When I open PDF and check Radio buttons tab order, it is correct. When I apply Edit -> FormMaker, the order changes.
In normal cases, when it is just a few buttons, the order is reversed (1 2 3 is reversed to 3 2 1).
In complex cases, when it is 2 sets of 3 buttons each with the same name and works in unison, the order is mixed up.

Everything works fine with the new file, just tested it.
According to my observations, when I click Create Interactive PDF in FormMaker, the radio buttons change their appearance. Maybe script recreating or modifying them.

Ariel

Hi @OlegsLemke,

Did you have a look at that thread I linked to in your previous question, or do a search for "Tab" here in the forum? There might be an answer there.

If nothing else works, I seem to remember that cutting and pasting-in-placing each of the buttons, according to the tab order you need, also works.

OlegsLemke

Then I assume the order changes in the process of turning buttons into proper Acrobat radio buttons.
In almost all my cases the order is reversed, so it is not so hard to fix.

I`ve looked at your link and tried to use a search, but there are no cases like mine.

I assume I`ll need to fix the order manually then.

Thanks for the help.

Ariel

OlegsLemke I assume I`ll need to fix the order manually then.

Do you mean in Acrobat?

Ariel

I guess so. TBH, I think you know more about this than I do!

OlegsLemke

Ariel I mean in InDesign. I`ve found out that order changes in the process of turning buttons into proper Acrobat radio buttons. I assume that during this process old buttons are deleted and new ones pasted in the reverse order (in the set of buttons last is replaced first), that is why tab order is reversed.

Ariel

And is there nothing here that helps? [https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/setting-tab-order-in-indesign-form/td-p/11285480]

Ariel

Cutting and pasting the fields seems to fix it for me: https://youtu.be/I8tTNQGhb0I
Does that make sense?

OlegsLemke

Thank you for your video. I know this solution, but it works only if I do not have other fields on the page.
Otherwise buttons will be placed in the end of the order on a page. (By the way, order of the field will be placed in the end of the list even if you slightly move it, for example up and down with the arrows)
Mostly I`m using "Set Tab Order..." in InDesign, because in my case the order is reversed and I just need to turn it back around.

Again, in my case the order was correct in my old documents and FormMaker 4 added some extra work, which is not very nice.

Ariel

OlegsLemke it works only if I do not have other fields on the page.
Otherwise buttons will be placed in the end of the order on a page.

Could you send me an InDesign file that shows the issue?

OlegsLemke (By the way, order of the field will be placed in the end of the list even if you slightly move it, for example up and down with the arrows)

You mean that cut/paste is not necessary?

Ariel

OlegsLemke (By the way, order of the field will be placed in the end of the list even if you slightly move it, for example up and down with the arrows)

Hi @OlegsLemke: I'm not finding that slightly moving the position of a checkbox or radio button in InDesign changs it tab order in Acrobat.
The only thing that seems to work, in InDesign, to change the tab order of checkboxes and radio buttons (when they have the same name and so are considered different "widgets" (to use Acrobat's term) of the same "field") is to cut and paste them in place. It may also be necessary to fix their name afterwards in the Buttons and Forms panel (because InDesign might add a numerical suffix after the button is pasted back in, to make sure that it does not have the same name as any other field on the page, even though we actually do want it to have the same name so that all the checkboxes work exclusively).

Ariel

Hi @OlegsLemke,
I've updated FormMaker to 4.0.15. Please download that. It should fix the issue with the checkbox and radio-button tab order.
Make sure to enable the option "Use structure for tab order" in the interactive PDF export window in InDesign.

OlegsLemke

Hi @Ariel
Sorry for not getting back to you. I was busy with another project.

Thank you for the version 4.0.15, just tested it and the issue is gone. Now the script keeps the tab order as it was in the old documents. You saved a lot of time for me!

Sorry, I didn`t checked upfront this method of moving radio buttons. It works with the fields and I assumed it will work with buttons and checkboxes.
As I have a lot of fields in my documents, cutting and pasting was not an option for me, because it moves tab order to the end of the list of all fields. I need a specific tab order, because my fields are in 2 columns, so "Use structure for tab order" also not an option for me.

Thank you!

Ariel

Hi @OlegsLemke,
Check out the new Sort Tab Order feature that will be shipping in the next day or two with FormMaker 4.1! I think you'll like it!
https://youtu.be/rCrPU1w08oI

OlegsLemke

@Ariel
Wow, thank you!
Built-in "Set Tab Order" in InDesign is so much impractical.
I wish I had it earlier!

Ariel

OlegsLemke InDesign's Tab Order dialog is an embarassment!

OlegsLemke I wish I had it earlier!

Well, maybe you'll do more forms one day!

OlegsLemke

@Ariel
Hi!
Just tested you new version 4.1.0 and in reverses tab order in radio buttons again.

When I use set tab order in 4.1.0, it works great, option Show tab order shows me the order of radio buttons from left to right. But when I create a PDF, the order is reversed.

P.S. Created PDF from the same file using 4.0.15 and the order is correct.

Ariel

During PDF export, is the "Use structure for tab order" checked or unchecked? (It should be unchecked).
Edit: I see above you say that you leave it unchecked...

OlegsLemke

Yes, it is always unchecked as I need an order exactly as I set it in InDesign.

Ariel

@OlegsLemke,
If you could send me the file (just that page would do), that would be much appreciated. Just copy everything on that page to a new doc and send it, I don't need the whole file...