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Force open a PDF outside browser while using MAC-FF

Forum Index > JavaScript > Force open a PDF outside browser while using MAC-FF
2010-09-10 03:22:16
talk2percy
Registered: Sep 8 2010
Posts: 5

Dear All,

I tried my best to have JavaScripts working while PDF opened inside FF browser but apparently there is no way out.

So, I am looking at the problem differently - Is it possible to ensure that the PDF opens outside the browser in Adobe reader so that I can have scripts running. I know about the setting on Adobe reader but I cannot really enforce that on my users and I need to do it pro-grammatically.

Thanks!
Prashant

~ Prashant

My Product Information:
Reader 9.2, Macintosh
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2010-09-24 04:01:12
#1
Merlin
Acrobat 9ExpertTeam
Registered: Mar 1 2006
Posts: 766
Hi,

Zipping PDF files cause them to be downloaded and not to be opened inside (any) browser.

;-)

abracadabraPDF.net

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2010-09-24 12:15:27
#2
UVSAR
Expert
Registered: Oct 29 2008
Posts: 1357
If you're on mac, the chances are your browser is using Preview to display inline PDFs, instead of using Reader - and that's why your scripts aren't working.

The standard approach to force content to open externally is to change the context of the document as it's served, typically by passing the PDF via a scripted page in ASP or PHP, that sets the following headers:

Content-Type: application/pdf
Content-Disposition: attachment; filename=whatever.pdf
Content-Transfer-Encoding: binary
.
.
.
The user will then be prompted to save or open the file in the native application rather than view it inline - unless the user has a browser plugin that hijacks downloads (Firefox has one specifically for PDFs, that allows users to always choose how it's processed even if the headers specify a CD)
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