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
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Examples
A financial institution may use a dynamic PDF to simplify data collection during manual processes. For example, they can allow for certain fields to appear or update based on earlier user input. A loan application PDF might calculate repayment estimates after the customer enters the loan amount and term.
Another example is in account opening forms, where a dynamic PDF adjusts the required fields based on whether the applicant is an individual or a legal entity. In this case, selecting "company" might reveal fields for company registration numbers and beneficial ownership, while selecting "individual" keeps the form shorter and simpler.
However, while dynamic PDFs can support basic logic or formatting changes, they remain limited in flexibility and interactivity. In practice, they are often difficult to validate, maintain, and integrate with modern banking systems, which is why many institutions move away from them in favour of more dynamic, rule-based platforms.
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.
