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Rick2267216731su
Known Participant
February 1, 2022
Question

launchURL for local bat file not working

  • February 1, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 1848 views

I'm struggling attempting to get a document level script working that uses the lauchURL method.  I'm attempting to run a local bat file.  I've experimented with various syntax options, but when I test the code in the console, it just responds as undefined.  I thought that the correct syntax was: app.launchURL("file:///c/users/rick/documents/test bat.bat", true);

Again, I tried every format I can think of, but it won't work.  I've also tried as a trusted function, but no luck.

 

Any suggestions?  Will this just not work in Acrobat Reader?

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3 replies

try67
try67
Community Expert
February 2, 2022

Good. If it did I would stop using PDF files, as a bat file can easily delete files on your machine, format your hard-drive, or do countless other types of damage.

Thom Parker
Thom Parker
Community Expert
February 1, 2022

There is no way that you can launch an executable from an Acrobat script. Nor should you. This would be a serious security violation.

So, what exactly are you trying to do? Maybe there is a better solution.  

 

 

Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often
R
Rick2267216731suAuthor
Known Participant
February 1, 2022

The JavaScript Reference manual shows launchURL as a "S" secure method, so I tried executing it as a trusted function but still was unable to get it to work.  I understand the security considerations.  That said, when I test the code in the console, a response of just "undefined" doesn't clarify much!

 

I'll figure something out.  I'm trying to support users who are not computer savvy.  They need to open blank pdf templates, update them based on client interviews, and have them named properly (unique file names using form field data), saved in a designated local folder, and then uploaded to a secure NAS folder for consolidation purposes.  I've automated most of this to eliminate potential errors.  A single PDF form allows them to hit buttons that open the correct pdf templates, then document scripts name and save the pdf files (without saving over the templates), and a local script (vbs) uploads new pdf's to the correct NAS folder.  I was hoping to include a button that would run the upload script for them, rather than requiring that they find and double-click the script that performs the upload.  It would have been nice to have the "upload" button on the single pdf form.  However, I can set up the script in a scheduler and just have it run automatically without requiring user action.  I wanted them to see the upload stats, so they'be be informed of how many documents were getting uploaded.  Anyway, thanks for the quick response and clarification.

Thom Parker
Thom Parker
Community Expert
February 1, 2022

 I don't know what is technically necesssary to upload to your NAS server. I would have thought it would be mounted as a regular file system drive, but if it requires an HTTP operation, then there are three methods that can be run from Acrobat directly. The first is the doc.submitForm() function.  This function perform an ordinary HTTP PUT, with the pdf as the payload.   The next is the Net.HTTP object which can perform a variety of HTTP ops with greater flexibility than the form submit. This object can only be used from Acrobat Professional. The last is the SOAP object, which performs soap operations. It is also limited operation in Professional only.  If none of these options fit the bill exactly, then you could write a small server script to recieve the data from Acrobat and then write the file to the NAS server. 

 

 

Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often
T
Test Screen Name
Brainiac
February 1, 2022

I would expect, hope and indeed demand that file: URLs be blocked for security reasons. And that even if they weren't. that executable files would be blocked. Since PDF files can be downloaded, and can run JavaScript while seeming to be an innocent document, there are lot of things that cannot be done.

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