How to Create Submit and Reset Buttons in Acrobat PDF Forms
Question details
The user needs to add fully functional Submit and Reset buttons to a PDF form because the conversion process does not recognize them from the source document.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Converting a Microsoft Word document containing mock buttons (shapes or text boxes) into a fillable PDF form using Acrobat's Prepare Form feature.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat's Prepare Form feature successfully detects standard text fields from Word but fails to convert custom shapes and text boxes into clickable Submit or Reset form buttons.
Ensure your base Word document has been saved or printed as a standard PDF file first. It is recommended to delete any static non-functional shapes or text boxes acting as placeholder buttons from your document before starting the form preparation.
Manually Add Button Fields in Acrobat's Prepare Form Mode
Use Adobe Acrobat's native form editing tools to manually insert interactive buttons and assign the correct Submit and Reset actions.
PDF conversion tools generally flatten Microsoft Word shapes and text boxes into background page elements instead of creating interactive form fields. To resolve this, you must use Acrobat to place native PDF buttons over or in place of your original designs and program them to execute form actions.
Open your PDF file in Adobe Acrobat. Go to the 'Tools' menu at the top of the window and select 'Prepare Form' to activate the form editing toolbar.
Locate and click the 'Button' icon (a small rectangular icon) in the top editing toolbar. Click on the desired location on your PDF page to place the button, and adjust its size by dragging the corners.
Double-click the newly placed button to open the 'Button Properties' dialog box. Under the 'General' tab, give your button a descriptive name (e.g., 'SubmitButton'). Switch to the 'Options' tab to add a display label like 'Submit Form' or 'Reset Form'.
Navigate to the 'Actions' tab. Ensure the 'Select Trigger' dropdown is set to 'Mouse Up'. Next, open the 'Select Action' dropdown and choose either 'Submit a form' or 'Reset a form'. Click the 'Add' button to finalize the action configuration.
Close the Properties dialog box. Click the 'Preview' button located at the top right corner of the Acrobat window to exit editing mode. Click your new buttons to ensure they properly clear the form data or prompt the submit sequence.
Create Interactive PDF Forms Easily with WPS Office
WPS PDF provides a streamlined, user-friendly workspace for designing, editing, and filling out interactive PDF forms. You can bypass conversion errors by natively adding fully functional text fields, checkboxes, and interactive buttons right within your document.
- 1. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your base PDF document.
- 2. Access Form Tools: Navigate to the 'Form' tab located in the main top menu bar to reveal interactive form elements.
- 3. Add a Push Button: Select 'Push Button' from the toolbar and click anywhere on your document to place the interactive button.
- 4. Configure Button Actions: Double-click the button to access its properties, then assign specific actions like 'Submit Form' or 'Reset Form' to complete your setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn't my Word text boxes convert to buttons in the PDF?
During the conversion process, PDF software reads Word shapes and text boxes as static graphic elements rather than interactive form controls. Interactive buttons must be added natively using a dedicated PDF editor's form tools.
Can I make the Submit button send the form data directly to my email?
Yes. When you configure the 'Submit a form' action in the button's properties, you can specify an email address. Simply type 'mailto:' followed immediately by your email address (e.g., mailto:admin@example.com) in the URL field.
How do I change the visible text on my Submit or Reset button?
To change the button's text, open the button's Properties dialog, navigate to the 'Options' tab, and enter your preferred text in the 'Label' field. The text will instantly update on the button's face.
Why isn't the Submit button working when other users open the PDF?
Submit buttons can sometimes fail if the recipient is opening the PDF in a basic browser viewer rather than a dedicated PDF reader, or if the submit destination (like a web server or email client setup) is restricted by their local firewall or IT policies.
