Set Tab Order Tool allows users to move from one field to another field using the Tab key. By default, the field tab order is set by the order in which the fields are created. You can reset the tab order to make it easier for user to navigate through the form fields.

Options for tabbing through items on a page

  1. Do either of the following to open the Page Thumbnails panel:

    • Choose Document > Assemble > Page thumbnails.

    • On the Sidebar Navigation pane, click the Page Thumbnails icon .

  1. In the Page Thumbnails panel, right-click the page thumbnail on which you want to set the tabbing order and choose Page Properties… from the options menu.

  2. In the Page Properties dialog box, the Tab Order tab offers the following settings for you to specify the order users tab through the fields in a form:

    • Use Row Order. Tab through fields from top to bottom, row by row.

    • Use Column Order. Tab through fields from left to right, column-by-column.

    • Use Document Structure. The tabbing follows the order defined with the “Set Tab Order Tool”.

    • Unspecified. No tab order has been set. You can manually set the tab order using Set Tab order Tool.

  1. Click Close.

To set the tabbing order using Set Tab Order Tool

You can use Set Tab Order Tool to manually set tabbing order for form field elements.

  1. Open a PDF file that contains form fields or you can create form fields on a PDF file.

  2. In the Page Thumbnails panel, right-click the thumbnail on which you want to set the tabbing order and then select Page Properties… from the options menu.

  3. In the Page Properties dialog box, click Tab Order and select Unspecified from the tab order options. Click Close.

  4. Choose Form > Form > Set Tab Order Tool. Click OK.

  5. A number appears in the upper-left corner of each form field, indicating the tabbing order you set. Click the form fields in the order as desired, and then click anywhere to finish.

  6. To test the tab order you set, click on any field on the page with the Hand tool and press the Tab key.

Note: You are not allowed to use Set Tab Order Tool unless you select Unspecified in the Tab Order of the Page Properties dialog box.

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