# How to create a report with live "mailto" links? **URL:** \ **Category:** Questions\ **Tags:** community\ **Created:** [September 5, 2022, 1:03pm UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/how-to-create-a-report-with-live-mailto-links/3073 "2022-09-05T13:03:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![OliverBarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@OliverBarrett](https://the.fmsoup.org/u/OliverBarrett)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 1:03pm UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/how-to-create-a-report-with-live-mailto-links/3073/1 "2022-09-05T13:03:35Z")
Client wants to create a rate sheet. That rate sheet would show multiple rates on each row. An individual rate is just a decimal number like 1.22. Modeling the data in FileMaker is straightforward: 1:M relationship where each row in the parent table would process all the rows in the child table for that row. Easy enough. **But, how can I end up with a PDF output where the mailto links work?** That is, when you click one of the numbers (the 'mailto' link), it populates the email program? A rate sheet might look like this: **Client graphic header** **1.22 3.33 4.33** **2.42 1.97 3.33** **Client graphic footer** I can generate this functionality manually by building the HTML in code using nested JSON structure for the input, but I was wondering if there could be a less coding intensive approach. Look forward to any suggestions on best approaches. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Torsten](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/the.fmsoup.org/torsten/32/1574_2.png) [@Torsten](https://the.fmsoup.org/u/Torsten)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 2:09pm UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/how-to-create-a-report-with-live-mailto-links/3073/2 "2022-09-05T14:09:46Z")
FM’s built-in pdf generator creates ‘flat’ pdf which have no functionality, such as form fields and links. The MBS plug-in offers much more in conjunction with the DynaPDF library. For other plugins I don’t know, maybe other members can share their knowledge here. ---
**Author:** ![OliverBarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@OliverBarrett](https://the.fmsoup.org/u/OliverBarrett)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 2:53pm UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/how-to-create-a-report-with-live-mailto-links/3073/3 "2022-09-05T14:53:11Z")
Thanks! I'll follow up with Christian. ---
**Author:** ![planteg](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/the.fmsoup.org/planteg/32/627_2.png) [@planteg](https://the.fmsoup.org/u/planteg)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 3:48pm UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/how-to-create-a-report-with-live-mailto-links/3073/4 "2022-09-05T15:48:13Z")
If the PDF is generated by printing it, would it still be flat ? ---
**Author:** ![Torsten](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/the.fmsoup.org/torsten/32/1574_2.png) [@Torsten](https://the.fmsoup.org/u/Torsten)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 4:17pm UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/how-to-create-a-report-with-live-mailto-links/3073/5 "2022-09-05T16:17:31Z")
That’s correct. PDFs can be ‘flattened’ by saving them in PDF format in the print dialog. This operation strips the PDF of its functional elements. ---
**Author:** ![planteg](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/the.fmsoup.org/planteg/32/627_2.png) [@planteg](https://the.fmsoup.org/u/planteg)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 4:19pm UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/how-to-create-a-report-with-live-mailto-links/3073/6 "2022-09-05T16:19:47Z")
Then, if the option to flatten the PDF is not selected, that would solve the OP problem ? ---
**Author:** ![Torsten](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/the.fmsoup.org/torsten/32/1574_2.png) [@Torsten](https://the.fmsoup.org/u/Torsten)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 4:23pm UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/how-to-create-a-report-with-live-mailto-links/3073/7 "2022-09-05T16:23:00Z")
I don’t think so. FM does not have native capability to generate pdf with interactive elements. ---
**Author:** ![OliverBarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@OliverBarrett](https://the.fmsoup.org/u/OliverBarrett)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 4:26pm UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/how-to-create-a-report-with-live-mailto-links/3073/8 "2022-09-05T16:26:59Z")
It sounds like I'm just going to need to generate the HTML in code and then create the PDF using a utility. That approach works fine. The client can just send me a JSON file I can read for the rows of data. ---
**Author:** ![planteg](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/the.fmsoup.org/planteg/32/627_2.png) [@planteg](https://the.fmsoup.org/u/planteg)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 4:27pm UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/how-to-create-a-report-with-live-mailto-links/3073/9 "2022-09-05T16:27:25Z")
There is something I am missing. If the PDF is generated by printing, then FileMaker is not involved in creating the PDF contents, Then having [mailto:jim@jim.jim](mailto:jim@jim.jim) should result in a link. If not that would mean FileMaker is working hard to prevent links in PDF ?!? ---
**Author:** ![Torsten](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/the.fmsoup.org/torsten/32/1574_2.png) [@Torsten](https://the.fmsoup.org/u/Torsten)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 4:30pm UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/how-to-create-a-report-with-live-mailto-links/3073/10 "2022-09-05T16:30:21Z")
No, it just does not have that capability built in. It can be achieved by either using a plug-in or using an external tool like html2pdf. ---
**Author:** ![OliverBarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@OliverBarrett](https://the.fmsoup.org/u/OliverBarrett)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 4:37pm UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/how-to-create-a-report-with-live-mailto-links/3073/11 "2022-09-05T16:37:33Z")
FileMaker doesn't really add anything here for this use-case. I was hoping to (separately) get the client interested in FileMaker with possibly a slick solution for his problem. However, if the client has to then buy FileMaker, FileMaker Server, Plug-ins (local and server ($)), etc., then that time and money would cover a generic solution. Thanks for all the great replies!!!