How to Add the PDF Export Option to an Acrobat Submit Button
Question details
The user needs to configure a Submit Button in a PDF form to export data as a complete PDF, but the PDF format option is missing from the Submit Form Selections dialog.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Setting up an interactive form submission button and attempting to specify the data export format.
- Observed behavior
- The PDF format option does not appear in the Submit Form Selections dialog box, preventing the user from configuring the button to submit the full PDF.
Ensure you are using an administrative or editing mode in your PDF software, and verify that the document does not have security restrictions preventing form editing.
Use Keyboard Navigation to Reveal Hidden Options
Bypass the visual glitch in the Submit Form Selections dialog by using your keyboard arrow keys to access the hidden PDF option.
In certain versions of Acrobat, UI glitches may cause specific formats to be hidden from the visible dropdown menu in the Submit Form Selections dialog. You can often force the selection by cycling through the options using keyboard shortcuts.
Right-click your Submit button, select 'Properties', navigate to the 'Actions' tab, choose 'Submit a form', and click 'Add' to open the dialog.
Click on the 'FDF Include' option (or any visible format) to place your cursor focus on the format selection area.
Press the Down Arrow key on your keyboard repeatedly. This will cycle through the hidden items: HTML, XFDF, and finally PDF.
Once 'PDF' is highlighted, enter your submission URL or mailto link, and click 'OK' to save your button settings.
Run a Repair on Your PDF Software
Fix underlying software corruption that might be preventing dialog boxes from displaying correctly.
Configure Submission via Custom JavaScript
Use a simple JavaScript command to programmatically force the button to submit the document as a PDF.
Effortlessly Manage Interactive PDF Forms in WPS Office
If you are struggling with hidden menus and glitches in other software, switch to WPS Office. Its PDF editor offers an intuitive, glitch-free interface for adding submit buttons and configuring export formats easily.
- 1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office and navigate to the PDF module to open your existing PDF form.
- 2. Access Form Tools: Click on the 'Form' tab located on the top ribbon to view all interactive form controls.
- 3. Add a Push Button: Select the 'Push Button' tool and drag your mouse across the page to create the button.
- 4. Configure Submission Actions: Double-click the newly created button, go to 'Options' or 'Actions', and clearly define the 'Submit a form' settings with full visibility of all format choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the PDF export option hidden in the Submit Form dialog?
This is often caused by a graphical interface glitch in certain software versions, or because the dialog box size is restricted on smaller screens, hiding the bottom-most options in the dropdown menu.
What is the difference between submitting as FDF and PDF?
FDF (Forms Data Format) only extracts and submits the text entered into the form fields, resulting in a very small file size. Submitting as a PDF sends the entire document, including the layout, graphics, and the filled data.
Can I test my PDF submit button before sending the form to users?
Yes. Ensure you save the form, switch to Preview or Hand tool mode, fill in sample data, and click the button. Check your designated email or server to confirm the test data was received in the correct format.
Does my email client affect how the PDF is submitted?
Yes. If your submit action is configured to a 'mailto:' link, the user's default desktop email client (like Outlook or Apple Mail) must be properly configured to generate the outgoing message with the attached data.
