Button Interactivity in Fixed-Layout eBooks: Which Platforms Support It?

Question

Will buttons made in ID be supported in KDP Print Replica or any of the other platforms that allow fixed layout ebooks?=============================================================I have an image-heavy ebook project that began as a print edition of the same.This is my 1st ebook project.
 
Problems I'm having, generally, are: I can't get ID-produced epub, PDF, or even publish online to work consistently across computer, tablet, and phone WITH INTERACTIVITY such as roll over captions wired in ID. I also tried "on tap/release" in addition to "on roll over."
I wired buttons differently for epub (object states) and PDF (show/hide) versions.
I want some interactivity and hoped to incorporate more in future projects... I'm checking on what I have here: Apple computer, iPhones, newest iPad.I have uploaded a PDF with on tap and roll over buttons to Kindle Create and don't see the functionality.I'm feeling like ID isn't useful for interactivity with systems commonly in use.
 
The buttons work great in the ID Interactivity Preview and on the obscure ADE and in Acrobat (which I think has been outmoded by Preview for a majority of Mac users, do Windows users still use it?).Thanks in advance.

James Gifford—NitroPress · Answer

Interactivity is completely dependent on not just the platform, but (usually) the exact reader used to view the book. There are a number of options for reflowable/liquid content — the best of which is HTML/CSS viewed on almost any modern browser — but when it comes to fixed page layouts, there are few good formats, tools, platforms or viewers. The only one that is likely to be easy to achieve and consistently work for readers is PDF, generated by a full export option such as those in Adobe apps (that is, not any "print to PDF" feature whether in an Adobe, MS or other app)... and using the most current version of Adobe Reader for the user's platform. Absolutely no substitutes allowed, especially the universally-used ones on mobile devices and browsers.

Construction of, and export to FXL EPUB is... a difficult path to thread. And EPUB viewers vary so much that it would have to be optimized for one and only one viewer (or optimized individually for several), and users would then be required to use that viewer and no other. Even with those guidelines, an FXL EPUB is not likely to be a reliable path. The only advantage EPUB has is that it is supported by most reseller portals and can be given relatively strong copy protection (DRM), neither of which apply to PDF.

We need a 21st century e-book format. We don't have one. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for one, but at least micro-adjustments to EPUB 3.x (mostly in accessibility) are a fairly common event — committees are meeting as we chat.

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