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Creating Tabs in a PDF

cwbyhtr
Registered: Mar 21 2008
Posts: 24
Answered

Hello all. I have a user that would like to setup tabs in a PDF to delineate different sections of the document, like a printed manual sometimes physically has on the right hand edge. I understand an index and or bookmarks can be inserted but at times the bookmark view doesn't automatically display on the right hand side of the screen without actually choosing it from the menu. Is there a way to do this in Adobe Acrobat 8 Standard? She recalls being able to do this in an earlier versions. Hopefully this makes sense. If not I can provide more detail. Thanks

My Product Information:
Acrobat Standard 8.1.4, Windows
Dimitri
Expert
Registered: Nov 1 2005
Posts: 1389
Hi cwbyhtr,

In Acrobat Pro ( I'm not sure about Standard) you can set the opening view parameters to show the Bookmarks panel by going to File ->Properties and under the Intial View tab choosing Bookmarks Panel and Page from the dropdown next to Navigation Tab:This has been a feature in Acrobat Pro for a few versions but as I said I'm not sure in Standard. You'll have to check it out to see if this option is there- should be in the same location if it is.

Hope this helps,

Dimitri
WindJack Solutions
www.windjack.com
www.pdfscripting.com
cwbyhtr
Registered: Mar 21 2008
Posts: 24
Thank you for your response. I'm assuming that once you set these "Initial View" properties that the PDF will launch using those properties unless they are manually changed by the recipient? If that's the case then I believe this will work for the user's purposes.
Thanks
Dimitri
Expert
Registered: Nov 1 2005
Posts: 1389
Hi cwbyhtr,

Yes, when the document opens it will honor the initial view settings chosen by the author (you). But, the reader can then change the view in either Adobe Reader or Acrobat.

Hope this helps,

Dimitri
WindJack Solutions
www.windjack.com
www.pdfscripting.com
cwbyhtr
Registered: Mar 21 2008
Posts: 24
Excellent. It's not exactly what she's looking to do but as long as the view is consistent, this should work.
Thanks again
starbuck
Registered: Apr 30 2009
Posts: 2
I am a user that would like to set up tabs in a PDF to delineate different sections of the document, like a printed manual sometimes physically has on the right hand edge. I don't like the way current bookmarks show, I really need a "Tab" look to it. how can I do that in Adobe Acrobat 9 Professional extended? and, can they be "tinted" or color coded?

thannk you for your kind assistance


try67
Expert
Registered: Oct 30 2008
Posts: 2398
There's no built-in functionality like that in PDF files.
What you can do is create a file with different layers (in InDesign, for example) and then set up buttons that will act like tabs, showing a different layer when clicked. It's even possible to change their look when they are selected.
This requires some scripting know-how. If you wish, you can contact me personally to discuss it further.

- AcrobatUsers Community Expert - Contact me personally at try6767 [at] gmail [dot] com
Check out my custom-made scripts website: http://try67.blogspot.com