How to Submit a Completed PDF and FDF Data in One Email
Question details
The user is looking for a way to simultaneously send a filled PDF form and its corresponding extracted FDF data file in a single email submission.
- Product
- PDF Editors
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Processing document submissions where both the visual PDF layout and the raw form data (FDF) are required by the receiving team.
- Observed behavior
- Most PDF viewers, including Adobe Acrobat, do not natively support submitting both the completed PDF document and the FDF data file through a single standard form submission action.
Check with your receiving team to confirm which data formats they require and ensure your default email client is properly configured to handle outgoing attachments.
Use Two Separate Submit Actions for FDF and PDF
Since sending both files in one action isn't supported, creating two separate submission buttons is the most practical workaround.
By configuring two distinct submit buttons within your PDF form, you can send the raw data (FDF) to a database or automated system, while sending the completed visual PDF to a human reviewer.
Open your PDF form editor and add a button. Set its action to 'Submit a form' and choose 'FDF' as the export format.
Add a second button to the form. Set its action to 'Submit a form' but select 'Complete PDF document' as the export format.
Label the buttons clearly so users know to click both when they finish filling out the form, triggering two separate emails or data transfers.
Extract FDF Data Manually from the Completed PDF
Instead of trying to send both files, have users submit only the completed PDF, and extract the FDF data on the receiving end.
Fill, Extract, and Share PDF Forms with WPS Office
WPS Office offers a comprehensive PDF toolkit that makes it easy to fill interactive forms, save completed documents, and share them directly via email.
- 1. Open the PDF Form: Launch WPS Office and open your interactive PDF document.
- 2. Fill the Data: Click on the form fields to input your data. WPS PDF automatically recognizes standard interactive fields.
- 3. Save and Share: Save the completed PDF, then use the 'Share' or 'Email' function located in the top toolbar to send it to the required recipients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an FDF file and why is it used?
FDF stands for Forms Data Format. It is a plain-text file that contains only the data entered into a PDF form, making it much smaller and easier to process in databases than a complete PDF document.
Can I merge FDF data back into a blank PDF form?
Yes, if you have a blank copy of the original PDF form, you can use the 'Import Data' feature in a professional PDF editor to populate the blank fields with the information from an FDF file.
Why is my PDF form submit button not generating an email?
This usually happens if a default email client is not configured on your computer, or if your PDF viewer's security settings are blocking the script from executing. Ensure you have an app like Outlook or Apple Mail set as the default mail handler.
