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Weblinks in PDF don't work right; open web page once, then not again

Forum Index > General Acrobat Topics > Weblinks in PDF don't work right; open web page once, then not again
2008-07-11 11:57:51
Simon134
Registered: Feb 28 2008
Posts: 19
Answered

Apologies if I'm breaking etiquette by posting same question in differnt forum -- not sure which one it should go in...

Here's my problem:

I've put together a single page "quick links" PDF for a law-firm client.

The PDF has a 31 embedded weblinks (i.e. you can't see the url) to various intranet pages and internal-system pages -- but links work on some machines and not others.

Weblink behaviour is very odd on machines where problem is -- the links will work the first time they're clicked, but won't work next time. Closing and re-opening the PDF makes no difference.
All users can see the hover-text description of link.

PDF was created with Acrobat Professional 8.1.2, and is set to be compatible with Acrobat Reader version 4.0. And I've tested re-made versions of the PDF set to be compatible with 5.0 and 3.0 and it makes no difference.

File was created on Mac using Word 2004, links added using the link tool (Acrobat Professional 8.1.2)

Clients have Acrobat reader 7.0 on their desktop.

Q1: Are there known conflicts between weblinks in PDFs and desktop/system settings (seems unlikely as weblinks in PDF are amazingly common)?

Q2: Many law-firms block access to certain websites (although all links are to internal sites) -- could this be causing the problem?

Q3: Anyone seen this before, or any ideas?

Thanks
Simon

My Product Information:
Acrobat Pro 8.1.2, Macintosh
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2008-07-11 19:48:52
#1
rbogie
Registered: Apr 28 2008
Posts: 432
here's a partial answer: on offending machines open task manager and on processes tab end any AcroRd32 process. (even tho you have closed the Reader app, sometimes the process will remain) Then, when you launch Reader anew, the links should function.
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2008-07-12 12:44:59
#2
Simon134
Registered: Feb 28 2008
Posts: 19
Thanks rbogie -- but what does this mean?

It sounds like you have some useful knowledge, I'd be grateful if you could expand...

The big question I have is what's causing the problem -- is it:
a) An oddball desktop set-up (seems weird that there'd be a lot of 'em in one group)
b) A system/desktop setting in a corporate environment.
c) An error in my creation of PDF.

Grateful if you could help...

Best
Simon
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2008-07-12 14:11:44
#3
rbogie
Registered: Apr 28 2008
Posts: 432
I experienced this behavior many months ago and resolved it. But, off hand I don't recall the full resolution. My suggested may be just a partial solution. One cause of the problem: When you close the app (Reader), the process may remain running. Hence, you need to end the process and then restart the app. To end the process (to see if indeed a process is running) you need to open the 'task manager' utility. Right click on the task bar and select 'task manager'. On the 'processes' tab (sort by name) see if you find AcroRd32. Select it and then click the 'End Process' button in lower right corner of task manager window. I would bet, when you restart Reader, that your links will work. I probably cant answer the big 'cause' question unless I address the misbehavior on my machine. Tip: have the 'task manager' launch at start-up; its icon on system tray displays CPU usage -- an important piece of info, particularly when your system seems not right. Very useful are the 'CPU usage history' and 'MEM usage' graphs on the performance tab. Create a shortcut in the startup folder to taskmgr.exe (found in system32 folder). Let me know.
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2008-07-12 23:56:28
#4
Simon134
Registered: Feb 28 2008
Posts: 19
THanks again -- but my problem is that issue occurs on multiple client machines in a large law firm... it's not practical to ask them to fiddle with their desktop.

And I've created a PDF with weblinks that is going to be emailed to all lawyers -- unless they can just open it and click on weblinks it's no use.

Even if I know it's a hanging task -- what I think you're suggesting -- it's no help unless I can suggest why the PDF makes the task hang. I'm in a position where I'm trying to suggest/identify causes to their IT folks (like pushing on the end of a bit of string).

Unless I can identify a problem wit the PDF settings, I'm scunnered (Scottish for up creek without paddle). -- any ideas on any settings in PDF that could create the problem?
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2008-07-13 11:20:56
#5
rbogie
Registered: Apr 28 2008
Posts: 432
most promising solution: create your page of links in an HTML document instead of a PDF


however, if PDF must be the format,

analyze the differences in the preferences settings (ctrl-k) between the problem machines and those that are problem free

try creating your hyperlinks not by starting with the link tool, but this way: using the 'select' tool on the 'select and zoom' toolbar select the text to be linked and right-click to get context menu; then select 'create link' and proceed. (this method assumes that your PDF is not an image PDF)

Tip: There's no need to create your page in a word processor. You can readily create a PDF page like the one you described using the 'create PDF > from blank page' tool on file menu. This activates the versatile 'new document' tool. Save the new document and reopen it, then you can add hyperlinks as described above.in any case the law firm should perhaps upgrade to Reader 9

if all this fails, send me your troublesome PDF file
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2008-07-30 10:13:25
#6
Simon134
Registered: Feb 28 2008
Posts: 19
rbogie,
Wanted to thank you for your clear advice, adn to let you know that problem is resolved -- it's an odd resolution adn I wondered if you'd come across it before.

It turns out that the it was a user-perception problem, not an Adobe Reader or PDF file problem. When users clicked a weblink in the PDF, the link would open the web page in an open browser window. They were then closing that browser window (or minimising it) and then when they clicked on the next web link they thought it didn't work because nothing appeared to happen.

I'm not clear on whether Acrobat 7.0 doesn't open a browser window if one isn't open -- would be great if you could confirm (I'm a Mac user and have no idea what goes on in the world of PCs and Windows).

I've solved the problem by using the javascript that forces the opening of a new browser window with each web link. Incidentally, I found a lot of posts from people who'd had trouble getting the javascript to work, as did I.

The full javascript I used in the end was:
app.launchURL("http://www.websitename.com/", true);

Thanks again for help, and would be grateful if you could tell me if a weblink in a PDF will open a browser window if none are open.

Best
Simon
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2008-07-30 11:52:48
#7
rbogie
Registered: Apr 28 2008
Posts: 432
in my experience there's no problem with acrobat 7 failing to launch web browser. i doubt the javascript is necessary. sounds like your audience could use a simple tutorial.

i made a single page pdf containing links (to law related web sites) and tested the links in Acrobat 7, Reader 8 and Reader 9. you may download the pdf at this URL:
https://www.yousendit.com/download/Q01HakluT2IwVW14dnc9PQ
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2008-07-30 23:46:23
#8
Simon134
Registered: Feb 28 2008
Posts: 19
R, teh problem wasn't Acrobat & not opening a browser, but that folks had browser window minimised.So they'd click first link and it'd display page in open browser window (or open browser if not running)....

...THen they'd minimise the open brwser and click the next link. Technically, the page would load, but it'd be in the minimised window, so folks wouldn't see anything -- and say "The link isn't working".

The javascrip is helpful as if forces the opening of a new window.

To be honest, I'm really surprised that peole are as unfamiliar with something as simple as a web browser. But my client's done the testing, and that's what they found. It does make you wonder how they manage with things like coffee machines and traffic lights tho'...

Thanks again for your help and for demo PDF.

Best
Simon
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2008-07-31 00:30:54
#9
rbogie
Registered: Apr 28 2008
Posts: 432
okay, plz mark this thread as 'answered' and i'll take down the link to the pdf file i put on u-send-it. all the best
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