How to Send and Collect Data from Fillable PDF Forms
Question details
The user needs to distribute an online fillable PDF form and receive the completed data, but their software currently points to the retired Adobe FormsCentral service.
- Product
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Distributing a fillable PDF form to users and gathering the submitted responses efficiently.
- Observed behavior
- The user is unable to collect the form data because the original Adobe FormsCentral service was discontinued in 2015.
Ensure your fillable PDF contains a correctly configured 'Submit' button and decide whether you want to receive the collected data via email or a web server.
Configure the PDF Form for Email Submission
Since FormsCentral is retired, the most straightforward alternative is configuring the form's submit button to send the filled data directly to your email address.
This method uses the respondent's default email client to send the form data back to you. It is highly recommended for small to medium-scale data collection where a dedicated web server is not necessary.
Open your PDF form in your PDF editor, navigate to the 'Form' tab, and ensure you are in the form editing mode.
Click on 'Push Button' or double-click an existing Submit button to open its Properties dialog.
Go to the 'Actions' tab, select 'Submit a form' from the 'Select Action' drop-down menu, and click 'Add'.
In the 'Enter a URL for this link' field, type 'mailto:' followed immediately by your email address (e.g., mailto:your-email@example.com). Choose the export format (like FDF or PDF) and click 'OK'.
Save the PDF file and send it to your recipients as an email attachment. When they click Submit, their email client will draft a message containing the form data directed to your inbox.
Host the PDF Form on a Web Server
For larger data collection tasks, you can upload the PDF form to your website and configure it to send data to a backend web script.
Easily Create and Distribute Fillable PDFs with WPS Office
WPS Office offers a powerful PDF toolkit that allows you to easily design, fill, and distribute interactive PDF forms. You can add text fields, checkboxes, and drop-down menus, making data collection simple without relying on expensive or retired services.
- 1. Open your document in WPS PDF: Launch WPS Office, open the PDF module, and load your existing form or start from a blank document.
- 2. Access the Form tab: Navigate to the 'Form' tab on the top ribbon to access all interactive form controls.
- 3. Insert form fields: Click on 'Text Field', 'Check Box', or 'Push Button' to place them onto your document and customize their properties.
- 4. Save and share for collection: Save your interactive PDF and distribute it to your recipients via email or a shared cloud link.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Adobe FormsCentral?
Adobe FormsCentral was officially retired in 2015. Users can no longer use this service to distribute forms or collect data. You will need to switch to alternative methods, such as configuring PDF buttons for email submission or using modern web-based form services.
Can I collect PDF form data without having a website?
Yes, you can collect form data without a website by using the email submission method. By setting the form's 'Submit' button action to an email address (using a 'mailto:' link), the respondent's completed data will be emailed directly to you.
Why is the Submit button on my PDF not working for users?
Submit buttons often fail if the respondent opens the PDF inside a web browser instead of a dedicated PDF reader. Browsers generally lack the ability to process PDF submit actions. Advise your respondents to download the file and open it in a dedicated program like WPS PDF or Acrobat Reader.
How do I compile the collected PDF form data into a spreadsheet?
If you receive data files (like FDF or XML) via email, professional PDF editors allow you to compile them. You can use the form data management tools in your PDF software to merge multiple response files and export them as a single CSV or Excel spreadsheet.
