Can the PDF file be downloaded from CMS immediately after clicking the form submission button in Webflow?

Published on
September 22, 2023

No, by default, Webflow does not provide a built-in feature to allow immediate downloading of a PDF file from the CMS (Content Management System) after clicking the form submission button. However, there are alternative approaches you can take to achieve this functionality by integrating Webflow with other tools or services. Here are some steps you can follow:

  1. Use a form submission trigger: In the Webflow CMS, set up a form for users to submit their information. Add appropriate form fields such as name, email, and any other relevant details.

  2. Integrate with a backend service: To handle the form submission and generate the PDF file, you'll need to integrate Webflow with a backend service. Some popular choices are Zapier, Integromat, or a custom serverless function using AWS Lambda or Firebase Cloud Functions.

  3. Set up the backend workflow: Configure the backend service to receive form submission data from Webflow. Use the data to generate a PDF file dynamically. You can use libraries like Puppeteer (Node.js) or DOMPDF (PHP) to generate PDFs programmatically based on submitted data.

  4. Provide the download link: Once the PDF file is generated, store it on a server or a cloud storage service like Amazon S3 or Google Cloud Storage. Return a unique URL or download link to the user, which can be included in a confirmation message or sent via email. Ensure that the link expires after a certain period to maintain security.

  5. Customize the user experience: Enhance the user experience by customizing the confirmation message or redirecting to a thank-you page. This can be done by modifying the form's success state in Webflow and using custom code or an external service to redirect or display the download link.

By following these steps, you can create a workflow where users can submit a form on your Webflow site, trigger the backend service to generate a PDF file based on their submission, and provide them with a download link to retrieve the PDF immediately.

Additional Questions:

  1. How can I integrate Webflow with Zapier to generate PDFs from form submissions?
  2. What are some popular backend services for handling form submissions in Webflow?
  3. Can I customize the design of the PDF generated from a form submission in Webflow?