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?

[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.