Customising PDF

so in the form that i am rendering as a pdf all the fields are showing up accept the total field. i see it if i open the form ,but on the download and emailed copy the total does not show up.
this is the cart form when you click checkout.


def checkout_button_click(self, **event_args):
    """This method is called when the button is clicked"""
    source_text = self.total_label.text  
    open_form('PDF_FORM', source_text=source_text)  
    pdf = anvil.server.call('create_order_form_pdf', self.item)
    anvil.media.download(pdf)
    anvil.server.call('create_order_form_pdf', self.items)
    anvil.server.call('send_pdf_email')
    anvil.server.call('delete_table_rows', 'orders')
    get_open_form().cart_items = []
    get_open_form().cart_link_click()
    Notification("Your order has been received!").show()
  pass
this is the code in the pdf form that i am downloading.
self.repeating_panel_1.items = app_tables.orders.search()
    if 'source_text' in properties:
      self.total_label_pdf.text = properties['source_text']
    user = anvil.users.get_user()
    if user is not None:
      self.name_box.text = user['name']
      self.city_box.text = user['city']
      self.homegroup_box.text = user['homegroup']
      self.email_box.text = user['email']
      self.phone_box.text = user['phone']