Create a calculated field in Acrobat Sign

Calculate a field value automatically from other information in an agreement instead of requiring the recipient to enter the result.

In Adobe Acrobat Sign, calculation is a behavior you apply to a supported form field rather than a separate field type. Text, Number, Checkbox, and Radio button fields can use a formula to determine their value.

Use this page to configure the calculated field. For formula syntax, operators, functions, and field references, see Calculated field formulas and functions.

When to use a calculated field

Use a calculated field when one value can be determined from other information in the agreement.

For example, you can calculate:

• A total from quantities and prices.
• A value based on information entered in other fields.
• A checkbox state based on other field values.
• A Radio button selection based on other field values.

Calculated values are determined by the formula rather than entered directly by the recipient.

Before you begin

Add the fields that the calculation will use before configuring the calculated field.

Give those fields meaningful, unique names. Formulas reference fields by name, so descriptive names make calculations easier to create and maintain.

Create a calculated field

Selecting Calculated makes the field value dependent on its formula instead of direct recipient input.

Build the formula

Enter the calculation directly in Formula.

A formula can use:

• Other fields by field name.
• Literal values.
• Supported operators.
• Supported functions.

For example, an order form can use values from quantity and price fields to determine a total without requiring the recipient to calculate and enter that total themselves.

Use Calculated field formulas and functions for the supported syntax and examples.

Format a calculated Number field

Number fields provide Display format options for controlling how the calculated result appears.

Available formats include options such as:

• Currency
• Accounting
• Custom

Select Custom to expose Custom display format, where you can provide the format Acrobat Sign should use for the calculated result.

Formatting changes how the calculated Number value is presented to the recipient; the formula continues to determine the value.

Understand calculated behavior by field type

Recipients don't directly edit a calculated result. To collect a value directly from the recipient instead, use Entered as the field's Value type.

Review the calculation

Before using the form, review:

• The field names referenced by the formula.
• The formula syntax.
• The values or field types used by the calculation.
• The result formatting for calculated Number fields.
• Any other calculations that depend on the result.

For formula syntax, functions, operators, and examples, see Calculated field formulas and functions.

Things to know

• A calculated field is a supported field configured with Value type > Calculated; it isn't a separate field type.
• Text, Number, Checkbox, and Radio button fields support calculated values.
• A formula determines the calculated value or selection.
• Recipients can't directly edit a calculated result. Calculated fields are read only.
• Only Number fields provide Display format for calculated results.
• Meaningful field names make formulas easier to create, review, and maintain.