Fix Acrobat Form Sending XML Instead of PDF Email Attachment
Question details
Users are unable to send completed PDF forms as email attachments; the form submission button sends XML data but fails to trigger the email client to send the actual PDF.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat / LiveCycle Designer
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to send a completed PDF form using an email submission button configured within the PDF file.
- Observed behavior
- The submission button successfully sends XML data, but when it is configured to send the form as a PDF, it fails to open the default email application or display the email selection dialog.
Ensure your computer has a default desktop email client installed and configured (such as Microsoft Outlook or Apple Mail), and check that you are running the latest version of your PDF reader software.
Verify Submit Button Format Settings in the Form Designer
Ensure the form's email submission button is specifically set to output a PDF rather than extracting XML data.
When forms are created in LiveCycle Designer or Acrobat, the submit button contains specific properties dictating how the data is handled. If it defaults to XML, it will only extract the filled data without attaching the visual PDF document.
Open your original form in Adobe LiveCycle Designer or Acrobat Pro in Edit mode.
Right-click the submit button on the form and select 'Object' to open the Object palette.
Click on the 'Submit' tab within the palette to view the data export settings.
Check the 'Submit As' dropdown menu. If it is set to 'XML', change it to 'PDF'.
Save the changes to your PDF form, exit edit mode, and test the submit button to ensure it triggers the email client with a PDF attachment.
Check Your System's Default Email Application Settings
If the email application does not launch at all, the operating system may not have a default email client assigned to handle the request.
Easily Fill and Email PDF Forms with WPS PDF
Avoid complex form configuration issues by using WPS PDF to effortlessly fill out and directly share your forms via email.
- 1. Open PDF Form: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF form file.
- 2. Fill Out the Form: Click into the interactive form fields to enter your information, or use the Fill & Sign tools if the document lacks interactive fields.
- 3. Access the Share Menu: Click the 'Menu' button in the top left corner of the WPS PDF interface.
- 4. Send via Email: Select 'Share' and choose 'Email'. This will automatically attach the completed PDF to a new draft in your system's default email client.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PDF form send XML data instead of the actual PDF?
This typically occurs when the submit button's export format is configured to extract XML data instead of the entire document within the form creation software (like LiveCycle Designer). Changing the 'Submit As' property to PDF resolves this.
Why won't my default email application open when I click submit?
Your operating system might not have a default email client set, or you are relying on a web-based email that doesn't interact with desktop mailto links. You must assign a desktop email application (like Outlook) in your OS settings.
Does the recipient need a specific program to view the submitted PDF?
No, if the form is successfully sent as a standard PDF attachment, the recipient can view it using any standard PDF reader, including WPS PDF, Apple Preview, or modern web browsers.
