Interactive PDFs in web browser

[melissa8615]

I am having trouble publishing my interactive form to the web. When viewed in Adobe Reader, my interactive form works great. When viewed in a web browser, none of my fields work.

[BobLevine · Accepted solution]

That’s just the way it is. PDFs in a browser are a crapshoot.

If it has to be read in a browser, use a Google form or some other HTML based form.

[Zaid Al Hilali]

Using InDesign built-in feature "Publish Online" the form will not work just like mr. Levine pointed out, however it seems the issue is not with the web browser but how the interactive content is (translated) via HTML.

For instance, right-click on your PDF e-form, choose to open it in Safari if you are on Mac, the form works fine. It doesn't work in Firefox though.

[BobLevine]

Right. As I said, browsers are a crapshoot.

If the way the PDF is to be used cannot be controlled then it's imperative (IMO) to find a more appropriate method.

[Steve Werner]

I'll agree with Bob on the limitations of interactive forms and interactivity in general in browser PDF readers, and many other third party product PDF readers. The only way you can guarantee proper viewing is to recommend to your readers to use Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat. There are others that can work, but you'd have to test them ahead of time.

[melissa8615]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the feedback. I thought it was something I was doing wrong.

[GinnyHull]

Glad I found this conversation, I am having similar issues with my client and the interactive PDFs we are preparing for her. She also preferes ot use her iPad and open file attachments like PDFs in her email client and claims they don't work right. Ugh, she has very poor computer skils, unfortunately for me.

[BobLevine]

And please note the date. This conversation is SEVEN YEARS OLD and the situation is even murkier today.

[GinnyHull]

Oy vey, yeah, I was in such a hurry I did not note the date. I am not surprised that things are murkier now as technology continues to advance and expand. Thanks for pointing this out.