How to Link a Fillable PDF Form to Other Forms
Question details
The user needs to create a main fillable PDF form containing interactive buttons that act as triggers to open or link to additional fillable PDF forms.
- Product
- PDF Editor
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Setting up a multi-document workflow where a primary PDF form connects directly to secondary PDF forms.
- Observed behavior
- Previous attempts to link forms using buttons failed to successfully open the secondary documents.
Ensure all the PDF forms you intend to link together are saved in the same dedicated folder on your computer so that the file paths remain valid and stable after adding the link actions.
Use Action Buttons to Open Another File
The most reliable method to connect PDF forms is by adding a Push Button and configuring its Mouse Up action to open a secondary file.
Interactive PDF forms allow you to add buttons that trigger specific actions when clicked. By setting the action to 'Open a file', you can create a seamless navigation experience between multiple forms.
Open your main fillable PDF document in your PDF editor. Navigate to the 'Form' or 'Prepare Form' toolset.
Select the 'Button' or 'Push Button' tool from the toolbar and draw a rectangular button area on your document.
Right-click the newly created button and select 'Properties' from the context menu. Go to the 'Actions' tab.
In the Actions tab, select 'Mouse Up' as the Trigger. Then, select 'Open a file' from the Select Action dropdown menu.
Click the 'Add' button, browse your computer for the secondary fillable PDF form you want to link to, select it, and then save your main document.
Develop a Custom App for Complex Workflows
For advanced scenarios where linked forms need to automatically share input data, a custom scripted application is required instead of basic PDF linking.
Create and Link Interactive PDF Forms with WPS Office
WPS Office provides a comprehensive suite of PDF editing tools that make it incredibly easy to build fillable forms, insert push buttons, and link multiple documents together without any coding knowledge.
- 1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office and open your primary PDF form.
- 2. Access Form Controls: Navigate to the 'Form' tab on the top ribbon to reveal the interactive form controls.
- 3. Add an Interactive Button: Select the 'Push Button' tool, draw it on the page, and double-click it to open its properties.
- 4. Set the Link Action: Go to the 'Actions' setting, choose the option to open an external file or web link, select your secondary PDF, and save.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does nothing happen when I click the button to open the linked PDF?
This usually occurs if you are in 'Editing Mode' rather than 'Viewing Mode', or if the file path to the linked PDF has changed. Exit form editing mode to test the button, and ensure both PDFs are located in the exact same folder as when you created the link.
Can I make data entered in the first PDF automatically populate the linked PDF form?
A standard 'Open a file' button action only opens the target document. To pass text data between two separate PDF files automatically, you would need to implement advanced JavaScript coding or utilize a custom database application.
Will these interactive PDF buttons work on mobile devices?
Many default mobile PDF viewers and web browsers do not fully support complex form button actions like 'Open an external file'. If your forms will be accessed on mobile devices, consider hosting the secondary PDF online and using a standard web hyperlink action instead.
