Create PDF Form with Email Submit Button

What is a Fillable PDF Form?

A fillable PDF form is essentially a document designed with interactive fields. These fields allow users to enter data directly into the PDF without requiring any specialized software. This includes text boxes, checkboxes, radio buttons, and dropdown menus, making it incredibly versatile for various data collection needs. The beauty of a fillable PDF lies in its ability to simplify user input and streamline the overall data collection process.

The benefits of fillable PDF forms are numerous. They offer ease of use for the end-user, ensuring data is collected in a structured and consistent manner. This consistency simplifies data analysis and management on the receiving end. Using fillable forms eliminates issues related to illegible handwriting or incorrectly formatted responses that often arise with traditional paper forms.

What is a Submit Button?

A submit button is an interactive element within a PDF form that initiates a specific action. The most common action is the submission of the data entered in the form. This can involve sending the data to a server, attaching the filled form to an email, or triggering another predefined workflow. The primary function of a submit button is to simplify the process of returning completed forms, ensuring efficient data delivery.

The importance of a well-configured submit button cannot be overstated. It removes the burden from the user to manually save the filled form, compose an email, and attach the document. Instead, a single click can trigger the entire submission process, significantly improving user experience and increasing the likelihood of timely form completion.

Why Use an Email Submit Button?

An email submit button offers unparalleled convenience for both the form filler and the form recipient. It allows users to submit the completed form directly from their preferred email client with a single click. This eliminates the need to download the filled form, open an email client, create a new email, attach the form, and then send it.

Email submit buttons offer broad accessibility, functioning seamlessly across different devices and platforms. Whether the user is on a desktop computer, a tablet, or a smartphone, the email submission process remains consistent and straightforward. This cross-platform compatibility ensures that forms can be easily submitted regardless of the user's preferred device, enhancing the overall user experience. This method leverages existing email infrastructure, avoiding the need for complex server configurations.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Access Breeze PDF's online platform. Simply navigate to the Breeze PDF website to begin.
2. Upload an existing PDF form or create a new one from scratch. Breeze PDF supports both options, allowing you to either modify an existing document or build a new form from the ground up.
3. Use the form editing tools to add and arrange form fields (text fields, checkboxes, etc.). Breeze PDF provides a comprehensive set of tools for adding various form fields to your PDF. These include text fields for collecting names, addresses, and other textual information. Checkboxes enable users to select multiple options from a list.
4. Add a button to the form using the "Button" tool. This button will serve as the email submit button.
5. Access button properties: specify a name, tooltip text, and appearance options. Customizing the button's appearance ensures it aligns with the form's overall design.
6. Configure the button action:
   • Select "Actions" tab.
   • Choose "Submit a Form" from the "Select Action" menu.
   • Click "Add".
   • In the “Submit Form Selections” dialog box, type “mailto:” followed by the recipient's email address in the URL box.
   • Select preferred "Export Format," "Field Selection," and "Date Options."
7. Finalize and save the PDF form. Ensure all form fields and the submit button are correctly positioned and configured before saving the document.
8. Testing functionality.
   • Preview the form to ensure all elements are displayed correctly and that the form fields are functional.
   • Send a test submission to verify that the email submit button works as expected and that the form data is received correctly.

Adobe Acrobat Pro

Adobe Acrobat Pro is a powerful and widely used PDF editing software. While it is more complex and expensive than Breeze PDF, it provides a comprehensive set of tools for creating and managing PDF forms. Here’s a brief overview of the steps involved:

1. Use the Prepare Form tool.
2. Add a button.
3. Set General and Options properties.
4. In the Actions tab, select Submit Form and add "mailto:" URL.
5. Configure Export Format, Field Selection, and Date Options.

Foxit PDF Editor

Foxit PDF Editor is another popular alternative, offering a balance between features and affordability. While not as comprehensive as Adobe Acrobat Pro, it provides sufficient functionality for creating PDF forms with email submit buttons. The basic steps include:

1. Open the PDF in Foxit.
2. Add a Push Button.
3. Set Properties (General and Options).
4. In the Action Tab, select Submit a form and add "mailto:" URL.
5. Select Export Format.

LibreOffice

LibreOffice is a free and open-source office suite that includes a Draw application capable of editing PDFs. While it lacks some of the advanced features of commercial PDF editors, it can be used to create basic PDF forms with email submit buttons. These are the general steps:

1. Open the PDF in LibreOffice Draw.
2. Access the Form Controls toolbar.
3. Add a Push Button.
4. Set Control Properties.
5. Set the form URL to "mailto:" address in Form Properties.
6. Export as PDF.

Button Appearance

Customizing the appearance of the submit button is essential for creating a visually appealing and user-friendly form. This includes changing the button's label to clearly indicate its function (e.g., "Submit Form," "Send," or "Email Us"). Adding icons, such as an envelope or a send arrow, can further enhance the button's visual appeal and make its purpose more intuitive.

Adjusting the button's visual style, including its color, font, and border, ensures it aligns seamlessly with the form's overall design. Furthermore, configuring mouse states (Up, Down, Rollover) provides visual feedback to the user, enhancing interactivity. This level of customization contributes to a more engaging and professional user experience.

Submission Data Format

The format in which the form data is submitted can be customized to suit the recipient's data processing needs. Common data formats include FDF (Forms Data Format), HTML, XFDF (XML Forms Data Format), and PDF. Each format has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the complexity of the form and the intended use of the data.

Selecting the appropriate field selection ensures that only the necessary data is included in the submission, reducing file size and improving processing efficiency. Date options allow you to specify the format in which dates are submitted, ensuring consistency and compatibility with the recipient's systems.

Using JavaScript for Complex Actions

For more complex submission scenarios, JavaScript can be used to extend the functionality of the submit button. For instance, JavaScript can enable sending the form data to multiple email addresses simultaneously. This can be achieved by creating a custom script that extracts the form data and sends it to each specified address.

Similarly, JavaScript can be used to perform data validation before submission, ensuring that all required fields are filled and that the data is in the correct format. This helps prevent errors and improves the quality of the collected data. These techniques allow for customized submission workflows, tailored to specific requirements.