Create a Form Field

You can create a form field on an assembled form document.

When you create a field, HotDocs determines the type of field you are creating based on the size of the field—if a field is smaller than a certain dimension, HotDocs creates a check-box field. If a field is larger, then it creates an edit field. (You can define these dimensions at HotDocs Options. See Set Properties for New Edit Fields.)

Sometimes when you create a field, HotDocs can detect the borders of the underlying form and adjust its size to fit within those borders. This helps ensure the field fits best in the space allotted. See Detect Borders to Create or Resize a Field.

Once a field is created, you can enter any text you need in it.

To create a form field

1. Edit a form template. (See Edit a Saved Form Document.)
2. Click theSelect Tool button.
3. Position the mouse pointer at one end of the intended field.
4. Press and hold down the left mouse button, then drag the pointer to the opposite corner of the field.
5. Release the mouse pointer. The field is created.
6. Optionally, click Detect to have HotDocs adjust the size of the field to more closely match the underlying static line or lines.
7. Optionally, you can customize the appearance of your fields in the following ways:

1. • Change the field type. (See Change the Field Type.)
   • Adjust the size. (See Resize Form Fields.)
   • Change the field's position on the form. (See Move a Field on a Form.)

To move multiple fields once they have been created, select the fields and press the arrow key that indicates which direction you want to move them. To move fields more quickly, press the Shift key while pressing the arrow keys.

You can also create a standard-size field by double-clicking on the form. Or, you can click to set the field cross-hair and press F8.