Want to automatically generate and attach a PDF file when someone submits a form on your WordPress website?
With the “Generate PDF using Contact Form 7” plugin, you can create professional-looking PDFs using submitted form data — ideal for invoices, confirmations, quotes, or downloadable content.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to install, configure, and customize the plugin — even if you’re not a developer.
🔧 Step-by-Step: How to Configure PDF Generation with CF7
✅ Step 1: Install Required Plugins
- Install Contact Form 7 (if not already installed)
- Go to: Plugins > Add New
- Search for “Contact Form 7”
- Install and Activate
- Install Generate PDF Using Contact Form 7
- Search for:
generate pdf using contact form 7 - Install and Activate
- Search for:
🛠️ Step 2: Create or Edit a Contact Form
- Go to Contact > Contact Forms
- Edit the form you want to generate PDFs for.
Example form code: [text* your-name placeholder "Your Name"]
[email* your-email placeholder “Your Email”]
[text your-message placeholder “Your Message”]
[submit “Send Message”]
🧾 Step 3: Configure PDF Template
After activating the plugin, you’ll find a new “Generate PDF” tab under your Contact Form editor.
- Navigate to your form → click on the Generate PDF tab.
- Enable the PDF generation.
- You can now:
- Set PDF File Name (e.g.,
submission-[your-name].pdf) - Choose whether to attach the PDF to the email
- Select a PDF template
- Set PDF File Name (e.g.,
🖋️ Step 4: Customize the PDF Content
Use HTML with form tags like [your-name], [your-email], etc., inside the PDF body.
Example PDF Content:<h2>Submission Details</h2>
<p><strong>Name:</strong> [your-name]</p>
<p><strong>Email:</strong> [your-email]</p>
<p><strong>Message:</strong> [your-message]</p>
You can also style it with inline CSS.
📩 Step 5: Attach PDF to Email
In the Mail tab of CF7:
- Check “Attach generated PDF”
- Optionally configure the filename again or leave it dynamic
🌟 Bonus Tips
- ✅ Use custom fonts and branding in your PDF
- ✅ Add watermark or logo using inline images
- ✅ Create different templates for different forms
💡 Use Cases
- Auto-generate invoices or receipts
- Submit quotation requests with PDF confirmation
- Provide downloadable resources or form confirmations
- Recordkeeping of leads or submissions
🧪 Common Troubleshooting
- PDF not generating?
- Make sure the plugin is enabled and form shortcodes are correctly used.
- Check file write permissions on your server.
- Blank PDFs?
- Ensure you have dynamic tags like
[your-name]inside the template body.
- Ensure you have dynamic tags like
🏁 Conclusion
With just a few steps, the “Generate PDF Using Contact Form 7” plugin can powerfully transform your basic forms into automated PDF workflows — saving time, improving professionalism, and offering a better user experience.
If you need help styling the PDF or troubleshooting advanced issues — feel free to reach out or drop your query in the comments!