How to Fix PDF Form Email Submission Sending FDF Instead of PDF
Question details
Users experience an issue where submitting a PDF form via email sends an FDF data file instead of the fully completed PDF document.
- Product
- PDF Editors
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Submitting a completed PDF form via an email submission button.
- Observed behavior
- The recipient receives an FDF file and an error message stating the original document cannot be found, rather than receiving the actual completed PDF.
Ensure you have the master editable version of your PDF form and a PDF editor capable of modifying interactive form field properties.
Change Export Format in Form Button Properties
Modify the submit button's action properties to export the complete PDF document instead of just the FDF form data.
By default, some form creators set the submit button to send only the FDF (Forms Data Format). To ensure the recipient sees the full document, you must change this setting in the button's properties.
Open your original PDF form using a comprehensive PDF editor.
Right-click the email submission button on your form and select 'Properties' from the context menu.
Navigate to the 'Actions' tab, select the 'Submit a Form' action from the list, and click 'Edit' to open its settings.
In the Export Format section, change the selection from 'FDF' to 'PDF The complete document'.
Click 'OK' to save the changes, exit form editing mode, and test the button to verify that a complete PDF file is attached to the email.
Use a Desktop PDF Reader for Submissions
Alternative workaround if users are submitting forms within web browsers that block or alter submission actions.
Fix Form Submission Issues with WPS Office
WPS Office provides advanced PDF editing tools that allow you to easily create, modify, and fix interactive PDF forms. You can quickly adjust submit button properties to ensure your forms are sent correctly as complete PDF documents.
- 1. Open WPS Office PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your interactive PDF form.
- 2. Access Form Editing Tools: Navigate to the 'Form' tab on the top ribbon to enable form editing capabilities.
- 3. Modify Button Properties: Double-click your submit button to access its properties, then adjust the submit action to export as a complete PDF document.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an FDF file?
An FDF (Forms Data Format) file is a lightweight, plain-text file that contains only the data entered into a PDF form, rather than the complete document. It requires the recipient to have the original, blank PDF form on their computer to view the submitted data properly.
Why do recipients get an error asking to locate the document?
This error occurs when the recipient opens an FDF file but their system cannot locate the original blank PDF form that the data corresponds to. Sending a complete PDF document instead of just the FDF data resolves this issue.
Why doesn't my PDF submit button work in Google Chrome?
Many built-in browser PDF viewers, such as the one in Google Chrome, have limited support for interactive PDF features like email submission buttons. It is always recommended to download the form and open it in a dedicated desktop PDF reader.
Can I change the submit format after the form has been distributed?
No, you must change the export format to PDF in your original master document, save it, and then redistribute the updated form to your users for them to use.
