Hyperlink to embedded PDF file with interactive PDF created by Indesign

[davidr68366894]

I want to be able to click on a box in indesign and for it to open a PDF file.

I need to be able to do this so that the PDF file is embedded and saved with the interactive PDF I create as the document will frequently being used offline so I cannot host the PDF online and link to it that way.

Is there a way of doing this? I'm desperate! 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Don't think so. You'll have to distribute all files together. 

Or make your "additional" PDF part of your main PDF - extra pages at the end named "Appendix" or something like that.

[Derek Cross]

You state you want to be able to click in a box in InDesign and open a PDF – you will need a final output format to be able to distribute the document.

Have a look at the InDesign Publish Online feature.

What kind of interactivity do you want your PDF to have?

[davidr68366894]

Hi there! I want to create an interactive PDF which is self contained. The people using the PDF won't always have access to the internet so the document needs to be self contained. The publish online feature would be great - except it needs access to the internet to work. I noticed that you can hyperlink to files so assumed there must be a way to embed a file into your indesign file and then hyperlink to it - making everything self contained. It seems that you can only hyperlink to a file that is stored remotely (ie hosted on the internet somewhere) which doesn;t work for me. The PDFs I want to link to are forms with editable fields so they need to be seperate files so they can be filled in and emailed back seperately from the original interactive PDF.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@davidr68366894

You can hyperlink to the file in the same folder - so, as I've suggested before - you'll have to distribute multiple files together.

[leo.r]

Frankly, I have no idea if it'll suit your needs, but have you looked into the PDF Portfolio option:

https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/overview-pdf-portfolios.html

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@leo.r

But there is nothing about extracting individually? Only printing. 

And at least Acrobat Reader is necessary?

[leo.r]

But there is nothing about extracting individually? Only printing. 

And at least Acrobat Reader is necessary?

By @Robert at ID-Tasker

Yes, I believe Acrobat is required. Other than that, I don't know much about PDF Portfolio save for it being a self-contained collection of multiple files. The provided link should help OP figure out if PDF Portfolio is suitable for his needs.

[davidr68366894]

Thanks both - the PDF portfolio might be the way to go. I know you can set hyperlinks up within Acrobat itself so I'll see if I can find out if you can link to portfolio items directly within Acrobat. 

[Jeffrey_Smith · Accepted solution]

Yes you can do this in Acrobat. The first thing you need to do is "attach" the second PDF/file into the first interactive PDF. Then you need to create a link to the newly attached PDF. Open the attached PDF from the Attachment Window, you will have both PDFs open. From the interactive document, select the open button's properties. Set the action to "Go to page view" > Add. Then go to the attached PDF, and "Set Link". This action will open the attached PDF. See example.

[davidr68366894]

You are a genius! This would be perfect for what I need to do. If you have time could you run through briefly how to do it in Acrobat. I'd really appreciate it.

[davidr68366894]

I've worked it out! Just one more question - can you set the links to open in a seperate window rather than in place of the original document?

[Jeffrey_Smith]

This action is viewing, as opposed to opening PDF, and open in new window does not apply in this situtation. There might be a javascript method to view "attached" PDFs into a new tab, but the method I use is to have a return to master PDF button in the attached document. I have added a new PDF that shows the return button.

[JR Boulay]

"Just one more question - can you set the links to open in a seperate window rather than in place of the original document?"

Yes, you just have to place this line of JavaScript in a Document Level Script.

app.openInPlace = false;

See:

https://www.pdfscripting.com/public/Document-Level-Scripts.cfm

&

https://opensource.adobe.com/dc-acrobat-sdk-docs/library/jsapiref/JS_API_AcroJS.html#openinplace