How to Fix Internet Explorer Downloading FDF Instead of PDF
Question details
Users receive an FDF file instead of a completed PDF when attempting to download insurance quotes or form responses from websites.
- Product
- Internet Explorer
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Downloading PDF documents or completing online forms such as insurance quotes using the Internet Explorer browser.
- Observed behavior
- The browser downloads a Forms Data Format (FDF) file rather than the expected completed PDF document.
Before troubleshooting browser settings, try accessing the same download link using an alternative, modern browser like Chrome or Edge to see if the issue persists.
Clear Browser Cache and Verify File Associations
Clearing Internet Explorer's cache removes corrupted temporary files, while checking file associations ensures FDF and PDF files are handled by the correct application.
Sometimes, the browser retains outdated data handling instructions. Clearing the cache forces the browser to fetch fresh response headers from the server.
Open Internet Explorer, click the Gear icon (Tools) in the upper-right corner, and select 'Internet options'.
Under the General tab, locate the Browsing history section and click the 'Delete...' button. Check 'Temporary Internet files and website files' and click 'Delete'.
Press the Windows key, type 'Default apps', and press Enter. Scroll down and click on 'Choose default apps by file type'.
Scroll through the list to find '.fdf' and '.pdf'. Ensure both are associated with a capable PDF reader like WPS Office or Adobe Acrobat.
Contact the Website Administrator for Server Misconfiguration
If the problem is isolated to a specific website or quote type, the server's MIME type or download response is likely misconfigured.
Use WPS PDF to Manage and Fill PDF Forms
Ensure your computer correctly handles all PDF and form data files by setting WPS Office as your default PDF reader. Its powerful built-in PDF tools handle interactive elements flawlessly.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office from the official website and run the installer to set up the software.
- 2. Open WPS PDF: Launch WPS Office and click on the 'PDF' tab from the home screen to access the PDF module.
- 3. Set as Default: When prompted, or through the Windows Default Apps settings, set WPS PDF as your default application for viewing PDF documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is an FDF file?
An FDF (Forms Data Format) file is a plain text file used for exporting and importing data from PDF form fields. It contains only the data you entered into the form, not the layout or graphical elements of the complete PDF document.
Why do some websites download FDF instead of PDF?
This usually happens when the website's server is misconfigured. Instead of generating a completed PDF with your submitted data, the server incorrectly sends back just the raw form data (FDF) or has an incorrect MIME type set for the download link.
Can I convert an FDF file directly into a PDF?
An FDF file cannot be directly converted into a PDF because it only contains text data and lacks formatting. To view the data properly, you must open the original blank PDF form in a PDF reader and import the FDF file to populate the fields.
