How to Add a Submit Button to a PDF Form

Piers Zoew Last updated on February 5, 2025

How to Add a Submit Button to a PDF

In daily life, there are many situations where information needs to be collected effectively through PDF forms. However, making a fillable PDF form is simple, while a submittable PDF can be challenging.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to add a submit button to a PDF form to simplify the process of gathering information.

Add a Submit Button With Adobe

Adobe Acrobat Pro provides a quick and easy way to fill in PDF forms. But at the same time, Adobe Acrobat Pro is also a reliable choice for adding submit buttons to PDF forms.

Compared to Adobe Reader, Adobe Acrobat Pro has more incredibly advanced PDF processing tools and features that provide better customization and interactivity. With Adobe Acrobat Pro, you can unlock powerful features to improve your forms and make them more useful.

Step 1. Open Adobe Acrobat Pro > Click “Tools” > “Prepare Form” in the upper menu bar.

Prepare the Form in Adobe

Step 2. Click “Single File” > Select and open the PDF to which you want to add buttons > Click “Start”.

Open Fillable PDF

Step 3. Scratch the document to the bottom where you want to add a submit button > Click the “OK” button in the Prepare Form toolbar > Slide the mouse to the appropriate position and left-click to add the button.

Add Button to PDF with Adobe

Step 4. Click “All Properties” to open the properties window, then set the options in the “General” and “Options” tabs.

Edit Button Properties

Step 5. In the “Options” tab, select “Label Only” in the “Layout” menu > Select “None” in the “Behaviour” menu > Type “Submit” in the label box

Edit Option in Adobe

Step 6. In the Actions tab, select Submit Form in the Select Action menu, and then click Add.

Select Action in Adobe

Step 7. In the “Submit Form Selection” dialogue box, to collect the form data as an email attachment, type “mailto:” followed by the email address > Select the “Export Format”, “Field Selection” and “Date Options” options > Then click “OK”.

Edit Form Collection Method

Step 8. Click “Close”.

Close the Pop-up Window to Complete the Setting

Add a Submit Button With Foxit

If Adobe Acrobat isn’t what you’re looking for, Foxit PhantomPDF might be a better fit. Foxit is an effective alternative, especially if you are looking for Windows’ built-in tools to add fillable text as well as buttons to PDF forms. The tool simplifies workflow and offers several advanced features. Using this software, you can also edit, convert, and scan PDF files.

Step 1. Get and download the free trial version of Foxit PhantomPDF and open the PDF you want to edit.

Step 2. Click “Forms” in the menu bar > select “Push Button” > and add the button to your PDF.

Add Buttons to PDF with Foxit

Step 3. Right-click the button > select “Properties”.

Open the Properties Popup Window

Step 4. Name it “Submit Button” in the General Tab and complete other settings, including appearance, position, etc.

Set Button Appearance

Step 5. Go to the Options Tab, select “Label Only” in the Layout drop-down bar > Select “Push” in the Behaviour > Enter “Submit” in the Label bar.

Set Option in Foxit

Step 6. Go to the Action Tab, select “Mouse Up” in the Select Trigger drop-down bar > select “Submit a form” in Select Action > and click “Add”.

Add SubSubmit Action in Foxit

Step 7. Select the export format and select Submit to “E-mail” > Fill in the email address > Click “OK”.

Fill in the Export Information

Add a Submit Button With LibreOffice

LibreOffice is an open-source office suite that includes a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation program, and more. Although there is no PDF section in LibreOffice, you can use it as a PDF editor for editing text in PDFs. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux and is free to download and use.

LibreOffice becomes an attractive choice for creating fillable PDF forms and adding buttons.

Step 1. Get LibreOffice for free and install it on your computer.

Step 2. Open the PDF in the application, click “View” in the upper menu bar > Select “Toolbars” > Click “Form Controls”.

Open PDF Form Control

Step 3. Select “Push Button” in Form Control and click the mouse where you need to add a submit button to add a button.

Add Button to PDF

Step 4. Click “Control Properties” in the lower menu bar to control its properties. Enter the name of the button in the General Tab Label and complete other settings.

Enter Button Name

Then select “Submit Form” in the “Action” drop-down menu and click Close.

Select Submit Action

Step 5. Click “Form Properties” and enter mailto: (email address) in the URL bar to collect form information.

Enter Email to Collect the Form

Step 6. Click “File” > “Export as” > “Export as PDF”.

Export Edited PDF

FAQs

How to Create Fillable PDF Forms With a Submit Button to Email？

Step 1. Create a fillable PDF form online in PDFgear Online PDF filler, download and save it as PDF.

Step 2. Open the PDF in LibreOffice > click “View” > “Toolbars” > “Form Controls” > select “Push Button” > Add button > Complete button property settings > Click “Form Properties” and enter mailto: (email address) in the URL bar to collect form information.

Can I Add a Submit Button to PDF From With Microsoft Word？

Step 1. Create a command button: Click Developer > Legacy Tools > Command Button (ActiveX Control).

Step 2. Click Properties > Enter “Submit” in the “Caption” field.

Step 3. Right-click the button and select View Code > Paste the commit code between the original scripts > Save and close the code.

Step 4. Click the button and an email will be created > Enter your email address > Click Send.

How to Add File Attachment Button in PDF by Using Adobe?

Step 1. Click Tools > Prepare Form > Click OK icon > Add the button to the form.

Step 2. Click “All Properties” > Complete button settings.

Step 3. On the Action tab > Select the action > Run JavaScript > Add the corresponding code.

Step 4. Turn off Prepare Form mode and go to Tools > JavaScript.

Step 5. Click “Document JavaScript” > type import_file in “Script Name” > Click “Add” > add the appropriate code.

Conclusion

Adding a submit button to a PDF form makes information collection more efficient and straightforward. With tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro, Foxit, and LibreOffice, you can incorporate this functionality into your forms. Choose the option that best meets your needs and simplify the process of gathering information in PDF documents.