Dynamic PDF
A dynamic PDF is the opposite of a static PDF as it can adapt to user input or changes in external data sources. Dynamic PDFs can have interactive elements such as form fields, dropdown menus, clickable buttons, embedded videos, or live data updates. This makes dynamic PDFs ideal for processes such as creating contracts.
Related article: Generating PDFs programmatically: Build or Buy?
Interactive PDF, smart PDF
-
-
Examples
A financial institution provides a dynamic PDF loan application form to customers. The form includes fillable fields for personal information, dropdown menus for loan types, and embedded calculators to estimate monthly payments based on user input. They also use automation software such as Atfinity so that everything from initially accessing the form to completing all of the necessary steps, sending it for approval, and even loan origination are done automatically.
FAQ
What’s the difference between interactive, editable, and fillable PDFs?
Interactive, editable, and fillable PDFs are all dynamic PDFs that serve slightly different purposes. Interactive PDFs are mainly focused on user experience, providing clickable links, a navigation bar, and even multimedia elements (such as embedded videos). Editable PDFs on the other hand are more useful for collaborative work, as they feature the ability for authorised persons to edit text, images, and the structure of the PDF as well as leave comments. Fillable PDFs are solely focused on gathering user data and are as such typically used when making contracts. They provide form fields, dropdown menus, and even digital signatures but don’t allow the user to change anything about the PDF itself.
Can a dynamic PDF be used offline?
Yes. However, some features, such as real-time updates will require an internet connection.
Are dynamic PDFs secure?
Dynamic PDFs can include security measures such as password protection and encryption. However, their interactive features may pose a risk if not properly implemented.
