How to Create a PDF Button to Email a Completed Form
Question details
The user wants to add an interactive button to a PDF survey or form that allows recipients to return the completed document via email with a single click.
- Product
- PDF Editor
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Distributing an interactive PDF survey where respondents need a streamlined, automated way to email the filled form back to the sender.
- Observed behavior
- The goal is to configure a button within the PDF that, when clicked, opens the user's default email application and automatically attaches the completed PDF file.
Ensure you are using a PDF editor that supports interactive form creation and that a default desktop email client is configured on your computer for testing.
Add a 'Submit a Form' Button to the PDF
Use the interactive form tools in your PDF editor to insert a button field and assign an email submission action to it.
By setting up a 'Mouse Up' action on a button field, you can command the PDF viewer to package the form data or the entire document and send it to a specific email address.
Open your PDF in the editor, navigate to the Form menu, and select the 'Push Button' tool. Draw a rectangular button over the area where you want recipients to click.
Right-click the newly created button and select 'Properties' from the context menu to configure its appearance and behavior.
Navigate to the 'Actions' tab within the Properties dialog. Under the 'Select Trigger' dropdown menu, choose 'Mouse Up'.
In the 'Select Action' dropdown menu, choose 'Submit a Form' and click the 'Add' button. A new settings window will appear.
In the URL field of the submission settings, type 'mailto:' followed immediately by your receiving email address (e.g., mailto:survey@example.com). Select 'PDF The complete document' as the export format and click OK.
Save the PDF and exit form editing mode. Click the button to test it; it should prompt your default email application to open with the PDF attached.
Create Interactive PDF Forms with WPS Office
WPS Office features a robust PDF editor that allows you to design interactive forms, insert text fields, add clickable submit buttons, and collect survey data efficiently.
- 1. Open PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document in the PDF editor.
- 2. Access Form Tools: Go to the 'Form' tab in the top ribbon to access interactive field options.
- 3. Add Push Button: Select 'Push Button', draw it on the page, and open its properties to configure the 'Submit a Form' action.
- 4. Save and Share: Save your interactive PDF form and distribute it to your respondents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't the email button work for some respondents?
The submit button relies on the user's operating system having a default email client set up. If a respondent only uses webmail (like Gmail or Yahoo in a browser) without a dedicated email app configured on their computer, the button cannot automatically trigger an email draft.
Can I change the text that appears on the PDF button?
Yes. While in form editing mode, right-click the button and select Properties. Go to the 'Options' tab and type your desired text, such as 'Submit Survey' or 'Email Form', into the 'Label' field.
Is it possible to automatically fill in the email subject line?
Yes, you can customize the 'mailto' link in the submission URL to include a subject line. For example, enter 'mailto:email@example.com?subject=Completed Survey Form' to automatically populate the subject field when the email client opens.
