PDF Editor: PDF layout not matching form submissions when printing

I created the https://form.jotform.com/261086390447057 using the PDF attached. When I print the submission details I wanted it to print on my PDF. But my creation from my PDF worked but the linking it to my PDF did not work. Please help. The directions received to fix this issue did not work either: Use the PDF Editor / PDF document settings to match the layout, then rebuild the PDF from the form fields instead of uploading a separate static PDF.

1. Open your form, go to Settings > PDFs, and edit the PDF layout so the field placement, margins, and page size match your 3-page application.
2. If you uploaded a PDF as a background, make sure the PDF page size matches the original document exactly, then align each form field on top of the matching text line.
3. If it still does not print correctly, remove the uploaded PDF background and create the printable version directly from the form’s PDF settings so the output follows the form structure.

If you want, I can help you map your application sections to the correct Jotform PDF layout step by step.

Link to my PDF used to create the jotform: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:64509b88-d13c-4f1f-b1ad-c732f7200924

Hi Bianca,

Thanks for reaching out to Jotform Support. I'm an AI assistant here to assist you.

Let me help you with that:

How the PDF connection works depends on which type of PDF you are using. The knowledge base says that Smart PDF Forms are connected to the original uploaded PDF by default, and you can adjust that connection in Settings under Form Settings.

Here’s what you can check:

1. Open your Smart PDF Form and go to Settings.
2. Select Form Settings on the left side.
3. Review the Original PDF Connection to Your Online Form section.
4. Enable Preview PDF Button at the End of Your Form if you want respondents to preview the original PDF filled with their data.
5. Click Customize Style if you want to change how the answers appear in the original PDF file.

If you want the original PDF to be attached to email alerts, the knowledge base says to go to Emails, open your notification or autoresponder email, then under Advanced turn on Attach PDF and choose The Original PDF with Form Submission Data.

If you are working with a PDF Submission Report instead, the knowledge base says you can create or edit it in PDF Editor and add form fields through Add Elements and Form Fields. It also says the PDF Editor is used to customize the layout and content of the submission PDF.

One important note: the knowledge base says that if you want to print the form with the user’s data exactly as designed, the PDF Editor cannot do that directly, and the workaround is to use the form’s print option with the submission data or use the edit link in email notifications for future submissions.

Give it a try and let us know how it goes.

Is these directions go after the jotform has been created or does this require a new jotform to be created.

Hi Bianca,

Yes, these settings can be applied after the Jotform has already been created. The knowledge base says you can open your existing Smart PDF Form, go to Settings, and adjust the Original PDF Connection to Your Online Form there.

You do not need to create a new Jotform just to change those PDF connection settings. The same form can be updated, and the knowledge base also says you can update or replace the original PDF later without starting over.

Here’s how to do it on the existing form:

1. Open your Smart PDF Form from your workspace.
2. Click Settings in the blue navigation bar.
3. Select Form Settings and review the Original PDF Connection to Your Online Form section.
4. Adjust the PDF options you need, such as the preview button or style settings.

If the original PDF itself needs to be changed, the knowledge base says you can go to Upload and use Update PDF to re-upload a new version while keeping the existing online form fields intact.

Give it a try and let us know how it goes.

This section Original PDF Connection to Your Online Form  is not listed

Hi Bianca,

The knowledge base says the Original PDF Connection to Your Online Form section should appear under Settings in Smart PDF Forms. It also says you can find these options in Form Settings on the right side of the page.

If that section is not showing, the knowledge base also says that the Original PDF Connection feature can be turned off and back on from Form Settings. When it is turned off, the related features are disabled and the original PDF preview is hidden. When it is enabled again, those features return.

Here is the path the knowledge base gives:

1. Open your Smart PDF Form from Workspace.
2. Click Settings in the blue navigation bar.
3. Look under Form Settings for the Original PDF Connection to Your Online Form section.
4. Toggle the connection off and back on if needed to restore the related options.

The knowledge base also says that if you need to change the original PDF itself, you can go to Upload and use Update PDF to re-upload the file while keeping the existing online form fields intact.

If you still do not see that section, I don't know this information and our support team will handle your request.

Reach out again if you need any other help.

I need help from the support team

Hi Bianca,

One of our Support Team members will take it from here to follow up shortly.

Reach out again if you need any other help.

Hi Bianca,

The form that you have created is a classic form. You need to create a form by uploading your PDF. Let me show you how to do it:

1. On your My Workspace page, click on Create on the top-left side of the page.
2. Then, select Form, and then click on Document to Form.
3. Now, in Smart PDF Forms, click on Upload Document, and then select the PDF you want to convert to a form, or just drag and drop the PDF into the white upload area.

Sometimes the fields automatically created in the PDF file end up in the wrong place. If that happens, you’ll need to move and resize them. Check out the screencast below to see how it’s done:

If some fields aren’t added automatically, you can manually add them to your form, and then match it to the PDF on the right side of the page.

That's it. Once you set everything up, when the form is filled, it will automatically fill your PDF file. Check out the screencast below to see how it'll work:

Give it a try and let us know if you need any help.