Getting Started

 

Prerequisites

Important: Before you begin, confirm that all of the following are in place.

  • ConcreteCMS 9.4 or later is installed and running.
  • At least one Express form has been created and published on your site. FormPDF PRO generates PDFs from Express form submissions, so a form must exist before you can create a rule.

Before You Proceed

Note: FormPDF PRO does not include a setup wizard. Follow the steps below in order. Skipping ahead — for example, creating a rule before creating a template — can result in empty dropdowns and the rule cannot be saved.

The correct sequence is:

1. Settings → 2. Templates → 3. Rules → 4. Test run

Step-by-Step Setup

Step 1 — Configure global defaults

Open: Dashboard > FormPDF PRO > Settings

  1. Select your Global paper size from the dropdown (A4, Letter, Legal, or A3).
  2. Select your Global orientation (Portrait or Landscape).
  3. Click Save Changes.

You will see a success confirmation at the top of the page.

These defaults are pre-filled when you create a new template. Each template can override them individually, so if you mostly generate A4 documents, set A4 here and save time later.

Step 2 — Create your first template

Open: Dashboard > FormPDF PRO > Templates

Click Add Template.

A template defines the visual layout and content of the generated PDF. You can use a no-code Basic builder, write your own HTML, or point to an External HTML file on the server.

See Create a Template for full instructions on each source type, token placeholders, and the live preview tool.

When you save the template, a thumbnail preview is generated automatically and appears on the templates list.

If the template fails to save: Check the error messages shown on the form. Common causes are unbalanced token placeholders — such as {{ field_name without a closing }} — or invalid HTML structure. Fix the indicated issues and click Save again.

Step 3 — Create a rule

Open: Dashboard > FormPDF PRO > Rules

Click Create Rule.

A rule connects a specific Express form to a template and tells FormPDF PRO what to do with the generated PDF.

This guide uses File storage as the first setup path because it gives you the clearest verification step: a generated PDF appears in the file manager and on the submission detail page.

At minimum you need to:

  1. Enter a Rule name.
  2. Select the Form (the Express form whose submissions should trigger PDF generation).
  3. Select the Template you created in Step 2.
  4. Enable File storage and choose where generated PDFs should be saved in the file manager.
  5. Click Save rule.

See Create a Rule for full instructions on conditions, email delivery, submitter experience options, and delivery ordering.

If the rule fails to save: Review the error messages on the form. Delivery configuration errors are the most common cause — for example, configuring email to send a secure link when File storage is not enabled. Fix the indicated issues and click Save again.

Step 4 — Run a test

Before going live, verify that everything is connected correctly by running a manual test against a real submission.

Important: The test run tool requires at least one existing submission for the form you selected in your rule. If your form has never been submitted, go to the page where your Express form is published, fill it in, and submit it. Then return here.

Open: Dashboard > FormPDF PRO > Rules

Find the rule you just created in the list and click the manual test vial icon in its action row.

You will see a table of available submissions for the rule's form. Click Run rule next to any submission.

FormPDF PRO immediately executes the rule for that submission and returns you to the test run page with a result message.

Step 5 — Verify the result in Execution Logs

Open: Dashboard > FormPDF PRO > Execution Logs

Find the most recent log entry at the top of the list. It should show a Success badge.

Click View Details to open the detail panel and confirm:

  • The Execution message confirms the PDF was generated and delivered.
  • Because this guide uses File storage, a Generated file reference appears and links to the file in your file manager.
  • If you also enabled email delivery, a child log entry labeled Email appears under Backend action results and shows whether the email was sent successfully.

If the log shows a Failed badge: Open the detail panel and read the Error details section. This contains the technical reason for the failure. Common causes are a template rendering error — such as a broken token referencing a field that does not exist on the selected form — or a delivery configuration problem, such as an invalid email address. Fix the underlying issue in the template or rule, then run the test again.

Step 6 — Confirm the generated file

Open: Dashboard > FormPDF PRO > Submissions

Click the form handle that matches your rule's form. Then click the submission you used for the test.

On the submission detail page, open the Generated Files tab. Your PDF should appear there with a download link because this guide enabled File storage.

If the file is not listed but the execution log shows Success, check that your rule still has File storage enabled and ordered before any delivery action that needs a stored file. Rules that only send email attachments, or only provide a submitter download link without File storage, do not create a permanent file reference for this tab.

Setup Complete

Once Step 6 confirms a generated file, your setup is working correctly. From this point on, new submissions to the connected form will automatically generate and deliver PDFs when they match an active rule's conditions.

You can return to Rules at any time to adjust delivery settings, add conditions, or create additional rules for other forms.

Troubleshooting

Symptom Likely cause What to do
Template fails to save Unbalanced token placeholders or invalid HTML Read the error messages on the form. Fix all flagged tokens and HTML issues. See Create a Template.
Rule fails to save Invalid delivery configuration Read the error messages on the form. A common cause is enabling a secure link in email delivery without also enabling File storage. Fix and save again.
Test run page shows no submissions The Express form has never been submitted Go to the page where your form is published, fill it out, and submit it. Return to Test run afterwards.
Execution log shows Failed Template render error or delivery failure Click View Details on the log entry. Read the Error details section for the specific reason. Fix the template or rule and run the test again.
Generated Files tab is empty after a successful test File storage is disabled, ordered too late, or failed Enable File storage for this setup path, keep it before delivery actions that need stored files, and run the test again.
External file template shows error File not found or outside site root Verify the path is relative to the site root (e.g. application/views/pdf/invoice.html), the file exists, and it has correct read permissions. See External file template.