Book-Level Configuration (MLT in Book) Prevents PDF Bookmark Generation in FrameMaker 2026

Hello everyone,

I would like to report what appears to be a bug in Adobe FrameMaker 2026 (18.0.0.206) related to the new Book-Level Configuration feature.

Environment

• Adobe FrameMaker 2026
• Version: 18.0.0.206
• MIF files (instead of FM files because I translate .mif files directly on a different platform)

Issue Description

I am using the new Book-Level Configuration feature to manage variables through an MLT file included in a book.

When the MLT file is added to the book and Book-Level Configuration is enabled, the generated PDF does not contain any bookmarks. The PDF is created successfully, but the bookmark pane is empty.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Create a FrameMaker book containing several chapter files.
2. Verify that PDF bookmarks are generated correctly.
3. Add an MLT file to the book.
4. Use the new Book-Level Configuration feature to manage variables.
5. Publish the PDF using either:
   • Save as PDF (Distiller).
   • Save as PDF (FrameMaker)
   • Publish (Distiller)
   • Publish (FrameMaker)
6. Open the generated PDF.

Expected Result

The PDF should contain the same bookmarks that would normally be generated from the book structure and paragraph tag mapping.

Actual Result

No bookmarks are generated in the PDF when the MLT file is included in the book and used with Book-Level Configuration.

Additional Observation

If I remove the MLT file from the book, bookmarks are generated correctly again. This behavior appears to be directly related to the presence of the MLT file in the book when using Book-Level Configuration.

Questions

• Can anyone else reproduce this issue in FrameMaker 2026?
• Is there a known workaround other than removing the MLT file from the book?
• Has this already been reported to Adobe?

Thanks in advance for any feedback or confirmation from other users.