Turn Contact Form 7 submissions into PDFs
Generate PDF using Contact Form 7 Pro helps you create PDF documents from Contact Form 7 submissions. A PDF can open in a new browser tab after a successful form submission, allowing the user to download it to a local system. Alternatively, the PDF can be attached to notification emails sent to the user, the administrator, or both.
Each Contact Form 7 form can have its own PDF settings. This makes the plugin useful when different forms need different documents, layouts, filenames, or submitted data. You can also create multiple forms and manage their generated PDFs from a dedicated PDF area in the WordPress administration panel.
Build and customize PDF documents
The PDF editor supports HTML and CSS according to the capabilities of the mPDF library used for PDF generation. Add submitted form data, a logo in the header, relevant form fields, and a thank-you message for the user. Header and footer text can be updated, while font size, text formatting, and available fonts help you control the presentation.
- Use form tags in PDF content and filenames.
- Add page numbers with custom text.
- Insert page breaks so new content moves to the next page.
- Use the appropriate acceptance-field tag to display acceptance values correctly.
- Choose from PDF templates in the settings.
- Preview a PDF before saving or sending it.
- Use a PDF compression option to reduce file size.
The plugin also provides an option to add a file alongside the PDF attachment in email. PDF files can be password-protected to help control access to sensitive information.
Manage submissions and PDF activity
Generated documents and form data can be organized through the admin interface. The PDF Submission List keeps submissions accessible in PDF format for viewing and record-keeping, while the complete list of created PDF forms supports ongoing management. Submitted form data can be saved to the database and exported as CSV. Plugin settings include import and export functionality to simplify configuration across multiple sites.
Pro adds a PDF Analytics Dashboard for reviewing activity in one place. Track total PDFs generated, downloads, and emails sent. Error monitoring helps identify failed PDF generations, while visual reports can cover daily, monthly, yearly, or custom date ranges. Recent activity includes user email, actions, and timestamps, and dashboard widgets can be enabled or disabled as needed.
Storage and administration
PDFs can be stored on the server or on third-party storage services including Amazon S3, Google Drive, and Dropbox. The admin experience includes a dedicated PDF menu, a refreshed interface, customizable colors, branding options, accessibility enhancements, and performance improvements. You can also insert the post title or current page title dynamically and add a signature in the PDF.
Installation and setup
Add the plugin to WordPress, then open the administration settings for the Contact Form 7 forms you want to use. Select or create the PDF configuration, customize its content and fields, choose the filename and delivery method, and use the preview before saving. Decide whether the document should open after submission, appear as a link in the success message, or be attached to notification emails.
