This browser does not support basic Web standards, preventing the display of our site's intended design. May we suggest that you upgrade your browser?

Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional

PDF Forms: Creating a Submit Button

You can create a Submit button that allows a user to submit a completed form by attaching itself to an email. The creator of the form designates the address to which the form will be sent. This document explains how to create a Submit button.

  1. Open the PDF file that you will use for the form

  2. From the View menu, select Toolbars » Forms
    The Forms toolbar appears.
    Forms toolbar

  3. On the Forms toolbar, click the BUTTON TOOLButton Tool

  4. Position the cursor where you want the form field to begin

  5. Click and drag until the form field is of the desired size
    The Button Properties dialog box appears.
    Button Properties dialog box: Actions tag

  6. Select the Actions tab

  7. In the Add an Action section, from the Select Trigger pull-down list, select Mouse Up

  8. From the Select Action pull-down list, select Submit a form

  9. Click ADD...
    The Submit Form Selections dialog box appears.
    Submit Form Selections dialog box

  10. In the Enter a URL for this link text box, type mailto:email address
    EXAMPLE: mailto:smithxx@uwec.edu

  11. To export the entire PDF, in the Export Format section, select PDF The complete document
    HINT: The other options may be more appropriate depending on the desired format for the export.

  12. In the Field Selection section, to submit all form fields, select All Fields
    OR
    In the Field Selection section, to submit only specified fields
    1. Select Only these...
    2. Click SELECT FIELDS...
      The Field Selection dialog box appears.
      Field Selection Dialog Box
    3. In the Select Fields to Submit scroll box, select the field(s) you would like submitted to you
      HINT: To select a field click the box that appears to the left of the field. A check will appear in the box when it is selected.
    4. To the right of the Field Selection list, select additional desired options
    5. Click OK

  13. In the Date Options section, select Convert dates to standard format
    NOTE: Selecting this option will convert all dates to a standard format no matter how they were entered in the form field.
    EXAMPLE: Standard form would convert 12-4-2005 to 2005/12/04

  14. Click OK

  15. Select the General tab
    General Options for Buttons

  16. In the Name text box, type a name that identifies the button

  17. Select the Options tab
    Button Properties Options Tab

  18. In the Icon and Label section, in the Label text box, enter the name of the button
    HINT: This is the text the user will see (e.g., Submit, Send).

  19. Click CLOSE

Excellence. Our Measure. Our Motto. Our Goal.