How to Add a Submit Button to an Adobe LiveCycle PDF Form
Question details
The user needs to add a functioning submit button to an Adobe LiveCycle form so respondents can successfully save their completed form and submit the full PDF via email.
- Product
- Adobe LiveCycle Designer
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Distributing an interactive XFA form for end-users to fill out, save locally, and email back as a complete document.
- Observed behavior
- The form currently either limits users from saving their filled copies in Adobe Reader, or the submit button only sends raw XML data instead of the full completed PDF.
Verify that your recipients are using a compatible version of Adobe Acrobat or Reader, as built-in browser PDF viewers and third-party apps often do not support LiveCycle XFA submit scripts.
Configure Submit Format and Enable Reader Usage Rights
Adjust the button properties in LiveCycle to submit the whole PDF, then use Acrobat Pro to grant saving permissions to standard Adobe Reader users.
LiveCycle XFA forms differ significantly from standard AcroForms. By default, Adobe Reader restricts users from saving filled XFA data, and the default submit button often exports raw XML rather than the document itself.
Open your form in Adobe LiveCycle Designer. Select your Submit Button, navigate to the 'Object' palette, and click the 'Submit' tab. Change the 'Submit As' dropdown from 'XML' or 'XDP' to 'PDF'.
In the 'Submit to URL' field within the same palette, type your email destination using the mailto format (e.g., mailto:support@example.com).
Save the form in LiveCycle, then open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Professional. Go to 'File' > 'Save As Other' > 'Reader Extended PDF' > 'Enable More Tools (includes form fill-in & save)'.
Save the newly extended PDF. Distribute this extended version to your users to ensure they can save their progress and use the submit button.
Create and Submit Standard PDF Forms Easily with WPS Office
Adobe LiveCycle uses a specialized XFA format that causes compatibility issues and saving restrictions for many users. WPS Office offers an intuitive PDF editor that lets you easily build standard AcroForms. You can quickly add text fields and submit buttons that work seamlessly across all major PDF readers without requiring complex extended rights.
- 1. Open PDF Editor: Launch WPS Office and click on 'PDF Edit' to create a blank PDF or open your existing document layout.
- 2. Access Form Controls: Navigate to the 'Form' tab located on the top ribbon to view all interactive field options.
- 3. Insert a Push Button: Select 'Push Button' from the toolbar and drag your cursor onto the document to draw the submit button.
- 4. Set Submit Actions: Double-click the button to open its Properties. Go to the 'Actions' tab, choose 'Submit a form' from the dropdown, and click 'Add'.
- 5. Configure Email Destination: Enter your email using the 'mailto:your-email@example.com' syntax, select 'PDF The complete document' as the export format, and click OK to save.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't my users save the filled LiveCycle form in Adobe Reader?
By default, Adobe Reader restricts saving filled XFA forms to protect document integrity. You must open the finished form in Adobe Acrobat Pro and apply 'Reader Extended Rights' so end-users can save their completed data locally.
What is the difference between submitting as XML and submitting as PDF?
Submitting as XML only extracts the raw text data entered into the form fields, which generates a tiny file but lacks the document layout. Submitting as PDF sends the entire visual document layout along with the filled data, making it easier to read and print.
Can I edit an Adobe LiveCycle XFA form in other PDF editors?
LiveCycle forms use a proprietary XML-based architecture (XFA) which is incompatible with most standard PDF editors. For broader compatibility across different software, it is highly recommended to build standard PDF AcroForms instead.
Why does the submit button do nothing when clicked by users?
This typically occurs if the PDF is opened inside a web browser or a basic mobile viewer that does not support JavaScript or form submission actions. Instruct your users to download the file and open it in a dedicated desktop PDF reader.
