Email hyperlinks created in InDesign do not work in PDF

[jay fresno]

I am using the most current version of InDesign and Acrobat on Windows 10.

To create an email hyperlink in InDesign I choose URL and type mailto: in front of the email address with no spaces. I am not using Shared Hyperlink Destination.

When I export to PDF the email links don't work correctly. Instead of opening the email application, they try to open a web page.

In InDesign, even though I specify URL and put mailto: in front of the email address when I re-open the Hyperlinks panel and choose Edit Hyperlink, the link has changed back to Email and the mailto text has disappeared. I have not made this change -- InDesign is doing it automatically behind my back.

How can I create an email hyperlink in InDesign that actually works in the exported PDF?

[BobLevine]

There's nothing strange about it if you take a step back and think about it. It's just handling what you want to do in the background. But again, you are going to be way too dependent on the browser and the user's email settings.

At the risk of repeating myself, this is a really horrible way to handle this and I urge you to reconsider...and yes, even if the client requested it you should educate them on the issues. You're doing them no favors with this.

[jay fresno]

Okay, I get it that email links in a PDF are not a good ideal. But that is aside from the fact that it is a feature that simply doesn't work the way it's supposed to.

[Rishabh_Tiwari]

Hi @jay fresno ,

Sorry to hear about the trouble. Could you please try the suggestions shared here https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/hyperlink-to-an-email-is-not-working/m-p/8784384... and let us know if this helps or if you need any further assistance.

Regards

Rishabh

[BobLevine]

When you open the PDF in Acrobat and click one of the mailto links, does it launch your email application?

[jay fresno]

No. It opens my default web browser, Chrome, and the web page is empty.

[Manan Joshi]

Is there an app associated to an email on the computer you are testing? Probably it is somehow set to the browser or not set at all that is causing the issue, as the url on hover seems to be right.

-Manan

[jay fresno]

The email application on the computer is Microsoft Outlook 2019. 

Perhaps there is an incorrect setting in Outlook or in Chrome, but I wouldn't know where to find it.

[BobLevine]

And now you know exactly what will happen to many of your users. I get that you want an answer but this is not an InDesign issue. The link is "working" properly and it will "work" differently on each person's device.

I would love to help, but I've given you the best advice I can. If you choose to pursue this, all I can do is wish you luck because you're going to need a lot of it.

[jay fresno]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I now understand that the email links in Acrobat are unreliable. 

I don't understand why the feature is even in the software since it may or may not work. (Retorical comment, made in frustration with a buggy feature that has caused a lot of wasted time.)

[BobLevine · Accepted solution]

It is NOT a buggy feature. It works as intended.

I thought I explained this to you very clearly but I'll try again. I was not discussing mailto in PDF; I was discussing it in general. It would be no different if you tried to use it on a website. It is way too dependent on the user's default settings and that is something you have zero control over. It's a more than 20-year old way of sending emails and it's outlived its usefulness.

[juj88675598]

Wow. I looked at all your responses and have a one question - Since you are so resourceful, have you forgoten all your manners? Guy don`t need parrenting, just clear answers.

[BobLevine]

And clear answers are exactly what was provided.