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Can PDF Files Contain Interactive Elements?

Can PDF Files Contain Interactive Elements?

PDFs have become an important part of everyone’s life—ebooks, marketing brochures, portfolio files, and resumes. Although mostly known for its static and clumsy style, it can contain interactive elements such as videos, forms, clickable links and buttons to make it more interactive. As text and images are the basic parts of any PDF document, an interactive PDF groups all the benefits of format with digital web experiences, resulting in increased engagement.

Interactive Elements in the Interactive PDF

Following are the interactive elements the users can add to their PDF files:

1. Page transitions and Buttons

In interactive PDFs, page transitions work like power points, such as fade, push, uncover, and rollover popups, giving it a more presentation-like look and increasing engagement. The users can also add JavaScript code for custom transitions. Also, unlike static PDFs, the buttons are interactive and can perform certain actions, such as hiding or showing text. Moreover, the buttons can open popups and redirect users to external websites. They are also used for form submissions as well. Furthermore, the users use these features to make the documents more professional and enhance the reader’s experience using seamless transitions.

2. Navigation or Cross References

The users can add navigation to directly move to certain pages or the start or end of the PDF document. These can also redirect the users to any file in the system storage (local network). These work the same as the hyperlinks directing users to internal or external locations making it more interactive. For instance, many companies and individuals use this feature for marketing purposes and redirect users to their websites or user profiles whenever they click the logos in the document. Moreover, it is a great feature to use the contact details directly, such as clicking the cell number to open the number in the dialing pad or clicking the email address to start composing the email to them automatically.

3. Media

The media elements include pop-up images, videos, audio files, and animated GIFs. The users can easily embed these media elements in the interactive PDFs and interact with them. These features can provide entertainment or a better representation of the topic by providing the running visual or playing audio. For instance, in the cookbook, the users can add video demonstrations to show their readers how to cook the specific recipe through a video to make the content more digestible and easily understood. The users also use these features for running video ads on their PDF files. The downside of doing this is that it increases the file size significantly, even though the users mostly use PDF files for their small size. Moreover, these elements require Flash to play them, which can be problematic in some scenarios.

4. Forms

The interactive forms are also one of the great features of interactive PDFs. The users can add checkboxes, text and number fields, and radio buttons to create a responsive form. Moreover, the submit buttons can send the form data directly to the owner’s email address. So, the users can create contact forms or questionnaires in their PDF documents so the readers can contact them directly. However, having an internet connection to submit these forms is important.

5. Lead Capture forms

The users can also add lead capture forms in their PDF files which restrict the readers from downloading the PDF content or restrict their access to the entire content without paying or signing up. These forms allow PDF owners to share their important work without worrying about unlimited and uncontrolled access. Also, it is a popular marketing technique to let the users access some of the content, and when he starts getting curious about it, they have to pay or subscribe to access the whole document.

Limitations of Interactive PDFs

Although interactive PDFs increase the reader’s engagement, the users should only use them when necessary because sometimes the excessive videos and interactive elements can be distractive and pose the threat that the user would focus on them instead of the focus point. Moreover, while using them, they must remember that these PDFs can be incompatible with some mobile devices, meaning the content will not scale up or down if it is not responsive. Moreover, the readers will need Flash to play the media files and most importantly, the users must be mindful of the storage needs because these PDFs will easily be larger than a static PDF file. Lastly, some interactive PDFs also have translation options, which require the readers to use specific tools or software to use the feature.