Create a serial number PDF (WCMS 2)

Owned by Sarah Cooper
Last updated: Nov 01, 2023
3 min read

How to create a serial number PDF

 

A Serial number PDF is a unique sequence of numbers assigned to the completed PDF form for the purpose of identifying a specific form submission. When users submit a web form, a serial number will be assigned automatically to the appropriate PDF field. The serial number changes in increments of one each time a form is submitted (e.g., if starting serial number is 10000, the next form submission will have a serial number of 10001).

To setup a serial number PDF, you will need a fillable PDF form configured with a web form (see how to create fillable PDF forms). Additionally, you will need a serial number PDF field on the fillable PDF form.

  1. Create the web form and the fillable PDF with matching form components/PDF fields. On the web form, do not create a serial number form component.

Web Form:

Fillable PDF form:

  1. Match the PDF fields with the form components (see how to create fillable PDF forms). This should leave the serial number PDF field unmatched.

  2. In the Edit PDF form page (My Workbench > Create/Manage Content > Web Form > Manage PDFs > Edit), select Edit link for the serial number PDF field.
     

  3. Under Value field, enter [submission:serial].

  4. Click Update button.

  5. To change the starting serial number, go to: Webform tab > Form settings sub-tab.
     

  6. Under Next submission number field, enter the desired starting serial number (e.g., 10000).

  7. Click Save configuration button.

  8. Test the serial number PDF by completing/submitting the web form, and then download/open the completed PDF form.

Completed web form:

Completed PDF form: