When you save a form, the file format must be compatible with the way the form will be used in the user community. You can save a form as a PDF file or an XDP file. Each file type has different uses:
Saves forms as static PDF, based on the Acrobat and Adobe Reader target version specified. Static PDF forms render once and are displayed on the client in the Acrobat or Adobe Reader target version. They are not rerendered in response to user interaction. The PDF form may have been designed with a flowable layout; however, when the static PDF form is created, its layout is fixed and the resulting PDF form will not rerender on the client. Static PDF forms can be interactive or non-interactive.
Saves forms as dynamic PDF, based on the Acrobat and Adobe Reader target version. The form design can contain dynamic elements. Dynamic PDF forms render on the client in Adobe Reader and, depending on the end-user interactions, can rerender on the client several times. Changes to the appearance of an object are possible in Adobe Reader because Adobe Reader has enough information to rerender the final output. For example, objects can change color, pagination can change, and objects can appear or disappear. If the end user clicks a button that adds a new row to a table, the form is rerendered in Adobe Reader.
Sets the default file type for new forms to the native XML-based file format created by Designer ES. Use this option if you will be using Forms ES.
See also  

About file types