Framemaker 2015 hypertext alert

Question

New to FM 2015, trying to add a basic text message in a text frame, using hypertext alert, to display in PDF output.

So far, can't get it to work. I've followed instructions: select and place cursor in text frame where I would like the PDF comment icon to display. Using hypertext dialog, select "alert" and create a small test message, then add new. Print to PDF using Distiller available in FM. View PDF in Acrobat DC, and no icon, no hypertext alert where cursor was placed in FM frame.

Only need simple text pop up, so a plug-in for additional functionality probably not needed for this eLearning project.

Must be doing something wrong?

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Barb Binder · Accepted Answer

I notice in your screenshots that the linked text ("evaluation") has a tag which I've never seen

That's a pilcrow or ¶ which looks fancy because it is in Adobe Garamond Pro.

You mention "marker." Is that set up only using the hypertext dialog or do you need to use the "marker" dialog also?

The Hypertext panel is a special version of the Marker panel. In days of old, we did all the linking via the marker box, but it meant we had to a.) memorize the building blocks, b.) type them in and c.) wonder if they would actually work. Moving the hyperlink commands to their own panel allowed Fm to display the commands in the drop down menu, add the building blocks when we click the appropriate command, and validate that we didn't mess up the spelling of a building block as we click on Add Hypertext Marker. You can add the markers in either place, but the Hypertext panel is easier.

You mention "marker."

The hypertext alert marker is the thick T visible in the 2nd screen shot right in front (and by "in front" I mean obscuring) the letter "r: in the word requires. You do need to have the marker in the paragraph, but you won't see it unless you have text symbols showing. (View > Text Symbols).

My questions for you:

Do you have any character tags in the paragraph with the marker? That does impact hypertext hotspots.
And you are using File > Print with Generate Acrobat Data on, as per Bob, and using the Adobe PDF printer? Print to File is unchecked? (I normally use File > Save as PDF, but I tested this with the exact same result.)

If it still isn't working, can you share similar screen shots? I'm on the same software as you, so we should be able to figure this out. Use the outlined button in the chat window.

bruceengland2 · Answer

Great method, and works for me. However, the popup icon appears very large in the PDF file (sample provided). I'm using Acrobat Pro DC as the PDF viewer. Is there a way to size the icon down at all? The document font is Arial 9, and the marker is associated with a line that says SSC 2.4.7 (you can see "C 2." in the screen shot).

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