PDF Form Creation and Email Submission

[JamieAllen]

Hi

I'm trying to find out the best way that I can create PDF forms that I can then email to my customer which they in turn can complete and hit a submit button so that the data will be emailed back to me.

I've looked at Adobe but there seems so many different products and I suspect pricey. Are there any alternatives to Adobe that are reasonably priced?

Thanks.

 

[Subbynet]

Why not just link to an HTML form?

 

[DeanFaulkner]

Why don't you look at emailing web forms, why do you require them as PDF's? Some form software will crate nice emails for you.

Google for Survey Monkey, Keysurvey and WuFoo - all great form creation tools.

 

[JamieAllen]

We use data forms on our web site but the forms I need customers to complete are application forms so quite lengthy.

Will take a look at suggestions!

Thanks.

 

[JamieAllen]

I've been looking at html forms, thanks for the suggestion.

Some data submitted will be sensitive so it needs to be secure. Looked at FormNut, FormSite, Email Me Form, Form Stack etc. They're either full of ads or don't have have enough fields (I need about 70). I only need one form and am happy to pay but don't really want to tie up to a monthly plan as only need one form so would rather pay a one-off charge.

Any ideas?

 

[Virtuo]

How many forms are you looking for? We could create these for you if you have the forms in normal document format.

 

[JamieAllen]

Just one form required. How would it be submitted and would it be secure?

 

[Virtuo]

If you're wanting it to be secure, you'd be best creating a web-based form that submits to a secure database over an encrypted connection (SSL Certificate; HTTPS).

We can create a PDF form you can email, but responses are sent via email or printed out. (therefore not secure)

 

[Shahkti]

As I read the requirement you want the user to download a PDF file, be able to fill it in offline, then send it back to you. You do not believe that filling in a HTML form on-line is feasible.

What you need is 1 copy of a PDF Editor that will generate an editable PDF form. This is just one option from most PDF editors. The market leader for this is Adobe Acrobat Professional (note: not Reader). This is expensive (~£400), there are many good and cheaper (~£20-40) alternatives. Google for e.g. Nitro, gDoc, Nuance for a few to choose from. Put the PDF on your web site as a download.

Now the user who downloads this can open it with a free Reader and it will allow them to fill in the form fields (but not edit anything else). They then save the PDF to their hard disk drive. Here's one problem: not every free Reader out there supports this. Adobe Reader, Tracker Xchange Viewer and Nuance PDF Reader does. Foxit Reader doesn't do so well.

Next problem - how do they get that PDF form back to you? I did one this week that asked me to post it (if they have to sign it, may not be a bad option). You can also provide an email address for sending as an attachment. Or, you can code file upload to a simple HTML form on your website. Each solution will make a difference in your return rates.

 

[DigitalCafe]

I had the same requirement and after fiddling about with the low cost options I bit the bullet and bought Adobe Pro 9, it is a breeze to use and cost me £220 on Amazon from a reseller in the States, the low cost/free options are way to time consuming when you could be streamlining your business with the 'rolls royce' of PDF editors ( Adobe Pro 9)

 

[eckhocreative]

You can use Adobe Professional LiveCycle designer to create submittable PDF forms. If this is something that you need help with further, we'd be happy to help you.

 

[principleweb]

Hi Jamie

If you just want a PDF that can be downloaded, printed and posted back to you - as someone else has mentioned - then why not use your preferred word processor to create a layout using tables?

If you don't want to buy one: OpenOffice.org is free & open source. NeoOffice.org is the preferred Mac port of this, if you're on Mac OS X.

Instead of using Adobe or other paid products to create your PDF, if you're using Windows you can use one of several products that allow you to Print to a PDF. Here are 2:
BullZip: http://www.bullzip.com/products/pdf/info.php
CutePDFWriter: http://www.cutepdf.com/products/cutepdf/writer.asp

If you're on Mac OS X you'll be able to print directly from the print dialogue box with 'PDF > Save as PDF'.

Hope that helps

Kev

 

[HFServices]

pdf forms can be 'posted' back to a webserver over a secure connection, Adobe Acrobat will do this or contract it out.
have a look here:
http://www.planetpdf.com/developer/article.asp?ContentID=6623