Participant

Question

open file using Javascript

Forum|Forum|17 years ago
November 18, 2008
7 replies
35685 views

I am trying to open a file using a javascript dropdown menu. I know acrobat allows users to open a single file using the standard features, but I have about 30 different files that need to be referenced. the general idea is currently;

window.open("C:\Documents and Settings\Desktop\" + event.value + ".pdf");

Besides the fact it doesn't work at all, I'm getting an error message "unterminated string literal". This is due to the \ right before the end of the directory string. but I cannot think of a way to finish the directory string without using this methoid. (i've also tried assigning the '\' to it's own variable but that is throwing the same error. if you have any idea, please let me know. I may have fixed this issue, i'm using \\ instead of \ after Desktop, but the file still will not open. I've also tried using app.launchURL to no avail. please help me with another open command, please.

This topic has been closed for replies.

_

_tommurphy85_Author

Participant

actually... i figured it out. I was using .txt files as a basis for the testing (as the 30 someodd PDF files have not yet been created. Turns out, you cannot open a .txt file, but CAN open a PDF. Thanks very much for all the help!! Saved me hours of useless struggle. (don't ask how I came about to create a random pdf and check that, just a random moment I had)

_

_tommurphy85_Author

Participant

still no luck, i copied the line you added, and it doesn't even think about it now (when i had what i listed there was a bit of a delay then nothing happened)

I've checked the file extension and names MANY times already (because i often make stupid mistakes like that) and all is correct, even case sensitive correct. I am using Acrobat 8, not sure if that makes app.openDoc useless or not. please let me know. Thank you

G

gkaiseril

Inspiring

I believe the Acrobat JavaScript API Reference has examples. like:

var otherDoc = app.openDoc("/c/temp/myDoc.pdf");
otherDoc.getField("name").value="Enter your name here: "
otherDoc.getField("name").setFocus();
this.closeDoc();

Note there is no ":" and the "/" delimiter is used.

So you would create your statement like:

app.openDoc("/C/Documents and Settings/Admin/Desktop/" + event.value + ".pdf");

N

normynorms

Participant

var otherDoc = app.openDoc("/c/temp/myDoc.pdf");
otherDoc.getField("name").value="Enter your name here: "
otherDoc.getField("name").setFocus();
this.closeDoc();

this code doesnt work wen i hav changed it to suit my needs.(interms of the document name)

placed it in a catch block it returned otherDoc doesnt has no properties.

could you assist me please really need the help with this.

try67

Community Expert

Do you have a file with that name in that location? Is it being opened?

try67

Community Expert

Replace all the back slashes with forward slashes, drop the colon and the extra slash at the end, like so:

app.openDoc("/C/Documents and Settings/Admin/Desktop/" + event.value + ".pdf");

_

_tommurphy85_Author

Participant

hi, i'm using the app.openDoc methoid and don't seem to be getting anywhere. i've read a few forums that say that only works with Acrobat 7. I'm on Acrobat 8. I'll keep researching, but if someone has another answer for me I would appreciate it.

verbatum line;

app.openDoc("\C:\Documents and Settings\Admin\Desktop\\" + event.value + ".pdf");

G

George_Johnson

Inspiring

You need to use the app.openDoc method, and specify the path correctly, something like:

"/c/Documents and Settings/Desktop/"

The Acrobat JavaScript reference has more information.

George

Bernd Alheit

Community Expert

You can use the openDoc method. Details in the Acrobat JavaScript Reference.

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded