How to Trigger PDF Downloads in React.js Forms

Creating user-friendly and responsive forms is a crucial part of providing a seamless user experience. Sometimes, you may want to create a lead form that allows visitors to download a PDF after providing their email, without the need for an additional click. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to achieve this using React.

Setting up the Form

Let's start by setting up a basic HTML form within your React.js application where users can enter their email address. This form will serve as the starting point for our PDF download feature.

import React from 'react';

function onSubmit(event) {
// We'll trigger the PDF here
}

function DownloadForm() {
    return (
        <form onSubmit={onSubmit}>
            <label htmlFor="email">Enter your email:</label>
            <input type="email" id="email" name="email" required />
            <button type="submit">Submit</button>
        </form>
    );
}

export default function HomePage() {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Download My Resume</h1>
      <DownloadForm />
    </div>
  )
}

Handling Form Submission with React

Now, let's dive into the React.js part. We'll immediately initiate the download of the static PDF file. Here's how to do it:

import React from 'react';

function onSubmit(event) {
  event.preventDefault();

  const a = document.createElement("a");
  a.href = "/path/to/your/static/resume.pdf";
  a.download = "resume.pdf";

  // Trigger the click event to start the download
  a.click();
}

function DownloadForm({ onSubmit }) {
    return (
        <form onSubmit={onSubmit}>
            <label htmlFor="email">Enter your email:</label>
            <input type="email" id="email" name="email" required />
            <button type="submit">Submit</button>
        </form>
    );
}

By following this approach, you can effortlessly enable users to download a static PDF file immediately after submitting a form in your React.js application. This user-friendly feature can enhance your website's overall user experience. Make sure to replace the file path and file name with the correct values for your application. As always, testing is crucial to ensure a smooth experience for your users.