Hyperlinks in IE8 when a PDF file opened in browser

drafferty · 10-29-2009, 01:51 AM

Hello there, Have tried to get an answer on this one from the Adobe Users Forum, but to no avail (no response).
My issue is this:
1. created a MS Word document with hyperlinks embedded in it (used relative links as the content was to be moved / copied to other locations) and then converted it to a PDF file. Links were to other files (MS Word docs and MS Excel spreadsheets for instance located on the same PC / drive / CD as the source PDF)
2. tested this PDF file with embedded links in an IE7 environment (XP and upwards) having first made sure that all the files were in the right spot - no troubles - all links work.
3. tested this PDF file with embedded links in an IE8 environment and it would not work. Keep getting 'invited' to allow the blocked content to be opened, which I do, but nothing happens.
4. So to try to sort out the issue, added the location as a trusted location within Adobe Reader (preferences, etc) - no change still not working in IE8.
5. Added the location as a trusted source in IE8 - no change still not working in IE8.
6. Changed the preferences in Adobe Reader to prevent the PDF opening in a browser - hooray! links work in both IE7 and IE8 - BUT WHY ???

I have built a large content management system that relies on these links within PDF documents working from within a browser environment (ease of navigation, etc).

So my question - is this an issue with the enhanced security feature of IE8, a separate issue to do with Adobe Reader, or a problem of compatability between them.

Further info - tested in all Adobe Reader environments up to 9.2.xxx - no change to the results in IE8 - they just don't work.

Please help - I have been at this for more than two weeks now.
Regards
Dave R.

**CCT** · 10-30-2009, 08:38 AM

Perhaps some help here; http://pdfobject.com/generator.php

drafferty · 10-31-2009, 04:31 AM

Hi CCT - Many thanks for your post in reply, however it seems that the issue is related to aspects of a hyperlink that is not a URL per se. For instance, the links I am trying to fire up are files on a local drive (and possibly also a CD ROM) not file stored on an intranet or an extranet (such as a Sharepoint site, etc).

To test my problem I created a simple file - a PDF file with an embedded link to a file - if I open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat / Reader the link works fine in an IE8 environment. If however, I allow the PDR file to open with the browser, then the links do not work - go figure? This is pretty wierd and I have not seen it occur in any of the earlier versions of IE.

If you are as stumped as me then please pass on to someone who may be able to solve this issue.

Rgds
Dave R.

**CCT** · 10-31-2009, 03:11 PM

Hopefully this is in the ballpark - if not, I obviously am not understanding the issue and will pass.

http://kb.mindjet.com/s.nl/ctype.KB/...341/KB.1459/.f

drafferty · 11-01-2009, 12:22 AM

Hello again CCT and thanks once again for your input. I can see what the MindManager KB article suggests seems to be a sensible approach - alas it had no effect on the outcome. I created another test file with absolute references for the hyperlinks in the PDF file - they work fine in IE7 but not in IE8. I have also tried the moving of the files to co-locate them - same result.

I will keep looking for the answer - it has to be something about the way that IE8 and Adobe Acrobat / Reader interact as it doesn't occur with IE7.

Thanks for your efforts.
Dave R.

**CCT** · 11-01-2009, 05:12 AM

http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:...&ct=clnk&gl=ca

Tim Green said "Microsoft has very strict security rules about links from CHM files and file links are highly restricted, it is possible that they are now banned altogether. Links to local files that are not in the same folder as the CHM file will always fail, the Test button cannot predict this."

Good luck anyway.

10-29-2009, 01:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
drafferty Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3 OS: XP(SP2)	Hyperlinks in IE8 when a PDF file opened in browser Hello there, Have tried to get an answer on this one from the Adobe Users Forum, but to no avail (no response). My issue is this: 1. created a MS Word document with hyperlinks embedded in it (used relative links as the content was to be moved / copied to other locations) and then converted it to a PDF file. Links were to other files (MS Word docs and MS Excel spreadsheets for instance located on the same PC / drive / CD as the source PDF) 2. tested this PDF file with embedded links in an IE7 environment (XP and upwards) having first made sure that all the files were in the right spot - no troubles - all links work. 3. tested this PDF file with embedded links in an IE8 environment and it would not work. Keep getting 'invited' to allow the blocked content to be opened, which I do, but nothing happens. 4. So to try to sort out the issue, added the location as a trusted location within Adobe Reader (preferences, etc) - no change still not working in IE8. 5. Added the location as a trusted source in IE8 - no change still not working in IE8. 6. Changed the preferences in Adobe Reader to prevent the PDF opening in a browser - hooray! links work in both IE7 and IE8 - BUT WHY ??? I have built a large content management system that relies on these links within PDF documents working from within a browser environment (ease of navigation, etc). So my question - is this an issue with the enhanced security feature of IE8, a separate issue to do with Adobe Reader, or a problem of compatability between them. Further info - tested in all Adobe Reader environments up to 9.2.xxx - no change to the results in IE8 - they just don't work. Please help - I have been at this for more than two weeks now. Regards Dave R.

10-30-2009, 08:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
CCT Helper Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,869 OS: XP SP3, XP Pro SP3, Vista Home Basic SP2	Re: Hyperlinks in IE8 when a PDF file opened in browser Perhaps some help here; http://pdfobject.com/generator.php __________________ ..... caveat utilitor

10-31-2009, 04:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
drafferty Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3 OS: XP(SP2)	Re: Hyperlinks in IE8 when a PDF file opened in browser Hi CCT - Many thanks for your post in reply, however it seems that the issue is related to aspects of a hyperlink that is not a URL per se. For instance, the links I am trying to fire up are files on a local drive (and possibly also a CD ROM) not file stored on an intranet or an extranet (such as a Sharepoint site, etc). To test my problem I created a simple file - a PDF file with an embedded link to a file - if I open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat / Reader the link works fine in an IE8 environment. If however, I allow the PDR file to open with the browser, then the links do not work - go figure? This is pretty wierd and I have not seen it occur in any of the earlier versions of IE. If you are as stumped as me then please pass on to someone who may be able to solve this issue. Rgds Dave R.

10-31-2009, 03:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
CCT Helper Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,869 OS: XP SP3, XP Pro SP3, Vista Home Basic SP2	Re: Hyperlinks in IE8 when a PDF file opened in browser Hopefully this is in the ballpark - if not, I obviously am not understanding the issue and will pass. http://kb.mindjet.com/s.nl/ctype.KB/...341/KB.1459/.f __________________ ..... caveat utilitor

11-01-2009, 12:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
drafferty Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3 OS: XP(SP2)	Re: Hyperlinks in IE8 when a PDF file opened in browser Hello again CCT and thanks once again for your input. I can see what the MindManager KB article suggests seems to be a sensible approach - alas it had no effect on the outcome. I created another test file with absolute references for the hyperlinks in the PDF file - they work fine in IE7 but not in IE8. I have also tried the moving of the files to co-locate them - same result. I will keep looking for the answer - it has to be something about the way that IE8 and Adobe Acrobat / Reader interact as it doesn't occur with IE7. Thanks for your efforts. Dave R.

11-01-2009, 05:12 AM	#6 (permalink)
CCT Helper Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,869 OS: XP SP3, XP Pro SP3, Vista Home Basic SP2	Re: Hyperlinks in IE8 when a PDF file opened in browser http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:...&ct=clnk&gl=ca Tim Green said "Microsoft has very strict security rules about links from CHM files and file links are highly restricted, it is possible that they are now banned altogether. Links to local files that are not in the same folder as the CHM file will always fail, the Test button cannot predict this." Good luck anyway. __________________ ..... caveat utilitor