Symptom/Error
Hidden fields appear as blank spaces or visible content in PAA PDF exports, even when those fields are marked as hidden in the PAA layout editor.
Cause
This issue almost always comes down to Block Visibility vs. Field Visibility.
If a field is individually hidden but still lives inside a visible block, the PDF exporter will often still render it as a blank space. Additionally, active Field Dependencies can trigger hidden fields to forcefully appear on the PDF if their dependency conditions are met.
💡 The Golden Rule for PDF Exports: > To completely remove a field and its blank space from a PDF, the field must live inside a block where the entire block is toggled to "Hidden."
Solution
Follow these steps to properly hide fields from PAA PDF exports:
Method 1: Move Hidden Fields to Hidden Blocks
Go to Settings → CRM Settings → Module Management → Module Layouts & Fields
Select Pre-Assessment from the dropdown menu
Click Edit in the top corner
Click the Layout Editor and select your specific PAA type
Locate the fields you want hidden in the PDF
Drag these fields into a block that is already set to "Hide Block"
If no hidden block exists, create one or hide an entire block containing unwanted fields
Click Save Layout
Method 2: Hide Entire Blocks
Navigate to your PAA layout editor
Locate blocks containing fields you don't want in the PDF
Click the "Hide Block" button on the block title bar
Click Save Layout
Method 3: Check Field Dependencies
Review any field dependencies that might be causing hidden fields to display
Go to the field settings and examine dependency configurations
Ensure dependency rules don't override hiding settings in PDF exports
Adjust dependency logic if necessary
Verification / Expected Result
Generate a test PAA PDF export to confirm that:
Hidden fields no longer appear as blank spaces
Only intended content is visible in the PDF
The PDF layout appears clean without unwanted gaps
Escalation
If fields continue to appear in PDF exports after following these steps, contact support with:
The specific PAA type affected
Screenshots of the layout editor showing field placement
A sample PDF showing the unwanted fields
Details about any field dependencies in use
⚠️ Important: The key difference is ensuring fields are in hidden blocks rather than just individually hidden, since PDFs may still include individually hidden fields from visible blocks.