How to Create a PDF Form Submit Button to Email the Complete Document
Question details
The user wants to configure a PDF form submit button so that it emails the entire completed PDF document rather than just the raw form data.
- Product
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating or editing an interactive PDF form for users to fill out and submit via email from a website.
- Observed behavior
- Currently, clicking the submit button in Adobe Reader only sends the entered form data, leaving out the actual PDF document itself.
Ensure you have a PDF editor with form creation capabilities installed and that you have the necessary permissions to edit the interactive fields in the target PDF document.
Change Submit Form Action to Send the Complete PDF
Modify the submit button's properties in your PDF editor to ensure the entire document is transmitted rather than just the FDF/XFDF data.
By default, many PDF forms are configured to only transmit the raw field data to save bandwidth. Changing the export format in the button's action settings forces the PDF viewer to attach the entire file to the outgoing email.
Enter form editing mode in your PDF editor, right-click the existing Submit button on your document, and select Properties from the context menu.
Click on the Actions tab within the Button Properties dialog. In the Action list, select the Submit a form action and click Edit. If no action exists, choose Submit a form from the Select Action dropdown and click Add.
In the Submit Form Selections dialog box, locate the Export Format section. Change the selection from FDF Include in or HTML to PDF The complete document.
Click OK to apply the changes and close the properties window. Save your PDF file, then open it in a standard PDF reader to test the button and ensure it correctly attaches the full PDF to the generated email.
Easily Build and Manage Interactive PDF Forms in WPS PDF
WPS Office provides a comprehensive PDF editor that allows you to easily insert text fields, checkboxes, and submit buttons. You can customize form actions, including email submissions, quickly and intuitively.
- 1. Open WPS PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document using the WPS PDF tool.
- 2. Access Form tab: Navigate to the Form tab on the top ribbon to access the interactive form controls.
- 3. Add a Push Button: Click Push Button and draw it on your document. Double-click the button to open its properties, go to the Options or Actions tab, and set it to submit the complete PDF document via a mailto link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PDF submit button only send an FDF file?
By default, many PDF editors configure submit buttons to send only the form data (FDF format) to save bandwidth and storage. You must explicitly change the submit action properties to export 'PDF The complete document' to send the entire file.
What URL format should I use to submit a PDF via email?
When setting the submit action URL in the button properties, use the 'mailto:' protocol followed by the destination email address (e.g., mailto:example@domain.com).
Will the submit button work if the user views the PDF in a web browser?
Browser-based PDF viewers often have limited support for interactive form actions. For the best results and reliable email submission, users should download the file and open the form using a dedicated desktop PDF reader.
Can I make the submit button send the PDF to a web server instead of an email?
Yes. In the submit button properties, you can enter a standard web URL (starting with http:// or https://) instead of a mailto link. Your destination server will need a backend script configured to receive and process the submitted PDF file.
