I've loaded a PDF in Preview, and I saw it has the ability to fill in fields. When I try to type in those fields, all I get is a tiny, centered Helvetica. Obviously I can't use that (both for readability reasons and for font choice), but when I change my font and size in the markup menu, nothing happens. I even highlight the text before selecting a font, and nothing happens. Is there a fix for this?
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 13.4
Bring up the Markup toolbar in Preview and click on the View ➙ Show Markup Toolbar menu option:
Then click on this button in the toolbar and change the font, size and color to whatever you'd like:
Additionally, give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.
NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following;
• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed
• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)
• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically
• Disables user-installed fonts
• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files
NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.
FWIW, if your only concern is the size and font for form fields, you could always draw a text box annotation over the fields and use the text size and font you want.
I'm trying to do this without spending additional money, so Adobe is a no-go for me.
dialabrain wrote:
ItIsNotRick wrote:
I'm trying to do this without spending additional money, so Adobe is a no-go for me.
As I said, Adobe Reader is free.
But when I try to edit anything in the PDF, it brings me to the subscription screen. Hence, it's a no-go.
Form developers can also use Adobe Acrobat JavaScript (AcroJS) to control font attribures in the form field, or perform calculations. Apple's Preview completely ignores AcroJS, but the current Adobe Acrobat Reader does not.
If the form developer has placed those controls on the PDF forms, you have no control over any font attribute.
More details: I can highlight the text and from the dropdown menu, change the font and size. But as soon as I click on something else, it snaps back to 8-point Helvetica. I'm also trying to use software included with MacOS, or a free piece of software.
I am having the same problem and don't understand why accessing the markup tools is the suggested solution here.
When a PDF form is being filled in Markup isn't being used.
I am filling in my USA tax forms and all the input fields that I type into a blue font is displayed.
Also Font Size and Font Colour are Greyed out in the Tools menu. Why is this?
From the OP…
"but when I change my font and size in the markup menu, nothing happens."
Also Font Size and Font Colour are Greyed out in the Tools menu. Why is this?
The PDF creator assigns the font and color for fill-in fields. It’s quite possible Preview is misinterpreting the code.
I have seen some that change the size when I exit the field.
It only matters if you are printing the form and sending a hard copy. If it is submitted electronically, the data is extracted by a machine.
If it is an issue, use Adobe Reader and send Feedback to Apple.
nueve_leon wrote:
I am having the same problem and don't understand why accessing the markup tools is the suggested solution here.
When a PDF form is being filled in Markup isn't being used.
I am filling in my USA tax forms and all the input fields that I type into a blue font is displayed.
Also Font Size and Font Colour are Greyed out in the Tools menu. Why is this?
Did you try the Safe Mode boot as I suggested earlier?
Have you installed and run any "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus or VPN apps on your Mac?
Try using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader instead.
ItIsNotRick wrote:
I'm trying to do this without spending additional money, so Adobe is a no-go for me.
As I said, Adobe Reader is free.
Preview, Adobe Reader, Skim, etc. are PDF readers, not editors. You would need to purchase a PDF editor.
Did you try the Safe Mode boot as I suggested earlier?
Change font and letter size in Preview
