How to Keep a PDF Submit Button Working After Digital Signing
Question details
The user needs to maintain the functionality of an email submit button in a PDF form after a signer applies a digital signature and locks the document.
- Product
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Securing a completed PDF form with a digital signature while still allowing the user to click the button to submit the form via email.
- Observed behavior
- Applying the digital signature locks the entire document, making all form fields, including the email submit button, read-only and unusable.
Ensure you have full editing permissions for the PDF form template and that the submit button has been correctly configured with the desired email action before adjusting the signature settings.
Configure Signature Field Properties to Exclude the Submit Button
Modify the digital signature field settings to lock all form fields upon signing, except for the specific submit button you want to keep active.
By default, digital signatures lock all fields to prevent data tampering. To keep a button active, you must explicitly exclude it from the locking process in the signature's properties before the document is signed.
Open the PDF form in your PDF editor, right-click the digital signature field that users will sign, and select 'Properties'.
Navigate to the 'Signed' tab within the Properties dialog box to configure the post-signing behavior of the document.
Tick the box for 'Mark as read-only', then select 'All fields except these' from the provided dropdown menu.
Click the button to select fields, find your email submit field from the list of form fields, and add it to the exception list. Click 'OK' to save the changes.
Easily Manage PDF Forms and Signatures in WPS PDF
WPS Office provides a powerful PDF toolkit that allows you to view, edit, fill forms, and manage document security without the need for heavy or expensive software.
- 1. Open your PDF Document: Launch WPS Office and open your interactive PDF form using the built-in WPS PDF viewer.
- 2. Access Form Tools: Navigate to the 'Form' tab on the top ribbon to fill out existing form fields or edit document properties.
- 3. Sign and Secure: Use the 'Fill & Sign' or 'Protect' features to securely add digital signatures to your document before distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do all fields become inactive after digitally signing a PDF?
By default, adding a digital signature to a PDF form locks the document to prevent subsequent tampering. This ensures the integrity of the signed data, but it requires you to set explicit exceptions for fields like submit or print buttons if you want them to remain active.
Can I edit the signature field properties after the document is already signed?
No, once a document is digitally signed and locked, you cannot alter form field properties to protect the signature's validity. You must clear the signature or use the original unsigned template to adjust the 'Signed' tab settings.
Does this exception method work for 'Print' or 'Reset' buttons as well?
Yes. You can add any interactive button, such as Print, Reset, or custom action buttons, to the read-only exception list in the signature properties so they remain completely active after the document is signed.
