Can I send a custom embedded form submission with form tags and an external form action to the Webflow backend?
- Webflow only processes form submissions from forms built in the Webflow Designer without a custom action attribute, using its native AJAX system.
- Custom embedded forms with external actions bypass Webflow’s backend entirely and must use third-party tools or integrations (e.g., Zapier, Formspree) to handle submissions.
You cannot send a custom embedded form with an external form action (using <form action="...">) directly to the Webflow backend for processing. Webflow forms require specific structure and submission method to trigger their built-in form handling.
1. Webflow Form Submission Requirements
- Webflow forms must be built inside the Webflow Designer to use Webflow’s native form handling and submission storage.
- Submissions go to Webflow’s secure backend via AJAX, using Webflow's internal JS handled form system.
- Forms must not have a custom
actionattribute; Webflow uses a pre-wired default endpoint. - Forms also require a hidden
name="wf-form-[formName]"input and other internal structure to work properly.
2. What Happens With Custom Embedded Forms
- If you embed a custom form using
<form action="..." method="POST">in the Embed component, it bypasses Webflow’s form system completely. - These submissions will not show up in Webflow (e.g., Forms tab or form notifications).
- Webflow systems do not listen to posts from arbitrary external forms.
3. Alternatives to Submit External Forms to Webflow
You cannot post a custom form to Webflow's servers, but here are a few workarounds:
Use Webflow’s native form and style it via custom code: Keep the form in Webflow and customize it, allowing it to use Webflow's backend.
Use Webflow’s native form with hidden fields and submit the data via JavaScript (e.g.,
fetchorXMLHttpRequest) to a third-party backend or automation tool like Zapier, Make, or a custom webhook.Replicate form styling externally, but use platforms like Zapier Webhooks or Formspree to collect submissions instead of Webflow.
4. If You Need to Collect & Store Data
- To continue using Webflow’s form storage (form dashboard, email notifications), you must:
- Not include a custom action attribute.
- Use the Form element from Webflow Designer.
- Allow Webflow’s native JavaScript to handle the submission.
Summary
You cannot post a custom embedded form with an external action to Webflow’s backend. Webflow requires Designer-built forms without a custom action to process and store submissions correctly. Use Webflow’s native forms or redirect custom forms to external services.