Participating Frequently

Answered

Open a PDF in Captivate 9

Forum|Forum|9 years ago
January 11, 2017
25 replies
6595 views

Goal: click on a button and have a PDF open in Captivate 9.

Issue: It works great in the preview, no issues. When I publish it as HTML and SWF, the button will not launch. It will work if I use a website. I really want users to be able to open a pdf and save it to their computer.

My Actions: I created a custom button (no issues). Actions - On success: Open URL or FILE, URL: TIPS.PDF (eliminated the path, per instructions I found), in NEW window, allowed infinite attempts, and UNchecked continue playing the project.

I have googled this, the instructions are to add a webpage, not a PDF. I have checked with other colleagues and we can not come up with the solution.

Anyone??

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Correct answer RodWard

Hi Paul. I know you posted this a while ago, but it is still a very useful video. I am fighting with getting a pdf file to open. I did it once, and published successfully. Then I had to update the file to a new version. It should be as simple as changing the file name on the slide and placing the file in the same location as the previous. However, when I go to preview, or test. The .pdf file never opens. If I publish, and I have made sure the file is within the zip file or published location, it doesn't open. Is this a testing issue? I have not tried adding the object as a webpage, as option 3, because I need the file to be printable. Do you have any thoughts to assist please?

If you are testing this locally from your computer, try uploading your project to a web server and testing from there. It could be that browser security is interfering with the link to the PDF, but playing from a web server will usually not have issues with security.

P

petern33480613

Inspiring

Angela,

I have had similar problems with PDF, and tried many combinations of storing the PDF in various locations.

The solution I now use is to put a Web Object on the slide, and use the Embed code option to put in a bit of HTML to open the PDF. The Web Object can be opened in the same Slide or in a New Browser Window.

This HTML I embed is

<embed src="example.pdf" width=100% height=580 type='application/pdf'>

and if the PDF is stored in a different folder I use

<embed src="../tutornotes/example.pdf" width=100% height=580 type='application/pdf'>

The height is the height of the Web Object, (minus approx 20 to allow for scrollbar stuff)

Good Luck.

Peter

Captiv8r

Legend

One of the things I don't think I've seen mentioned here is that when you publish to Flash SWF, links to things like PDF don't work when you are viewing the content locally and not from a web server.

This has to do with something called the "Flash Security Sandbox". The Flash player will disallow such links unless you pat it on the head and tell it the world won't end if it opens the file for you.

Soooo, typically all you need to do to make things work fine is to upload the PDF to the same folder as where the Captivate exists on a web server.

If your plan involves folks running it from their own computers after copying to them, you need to also instruct them on how to configure the Flash Security Sandbox so the file is considered safe.

Click Here to watch a Captivate video showing how to configure this.

Cheers... Rick

S

StevePixel

Inspiring

Ok.. I think i figured out what you are trying to do. Are you trying to load a Word document and not a PDF? If so, are you looking for them to download the document?

angelamarie0826Author

Participating Frequently

I want it to act like a Word Doc, I would avoid using a word doc to avoid editing issues. But I just wanted it to pop up, not house it on a webpage.

S

StevePixel

Inspiring

OK, so we are on the right track.

You have a word document, that you want to "pop-up". The only way I know of a document to "pop-up" is via turning it into a PDF and having it show in a web browser when a button is clicked or a link clicked. Another option is you may be able to convert it to a screenshot graphic and then have it pop up, like any graphic in Captivate, when you hit a button or roll-over, but they would not be able to reference it later.

Cheers

Steve

Paul Wilson CTDP

Community Expert

When including a link to a PDF, make sure you remove the file location information and just leave the name of the file. Also, you will want to make sure the item is opened in a new window so as to not interfere with the continuation of your eLearning project. Uncheck Continue Playing the Project so the project remains paused until your users return to it after viewing the PDF.

2017-01-11 3-08-31 PM

Once you have published your project to either a ZIP file as would be the case in a SCORM package or if you have published your project to a folder, drag your PDF file into that ZIP or folder and it should work at that point.

Paul Wilson, CTDP

angelamarie0826Author

Participating Frequently

I did that and it did not work. I found an article now stating I must alter the html coding, that really would surprise me.

Angela

Paul Wilson CTDP

Community Expert

Take a look at my video tutorial on this topic and see if you can get something from it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmQSCl6Hyqk

Paul Wilson, CTDP

Lilybiri

Legend

Did you include the pdf when uploading the package?

S

StevePixel

Inspiring

Hi Angela,

Just did this today and it works fine. I suspect your problem has something to do with "the instructions are to add a webpage, not a PDF." I just added the link, published the project and uploaded to my web server. Works fine. Loads in a web page and the user downloads from there.

Are you expecting something different?

Cheers

Steve

angelamarie0826Author

Participating Frequently

Can it load in NOT a webpage? So I just want essentially a Word Document embeded, does that document HAVE to be on a webpage? I am self taught in Captivate, so I'm not sure if what I want is even possible?

Angela

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