Object states not working in interactive PDF

[hollypMyBobs]

Hello,

I am creating an interactive PDF as a training guide for my organization. I have some icons that I converted to buttons and are linked to text that are set up as object states. When I publish online it works fine. When exported as an interactive PDF they do not work. I have tried both the "on click" and "on focus (PDF)" button events with no luck.

Is this something that I simply cannot do in an interactive PDF? Other than publishing online, what are my other options to get this working properly? I may have to just do multiple slides instead of object states but I would prefer not to if I can avoid it.

I'll also note that the eLearning department at my organization is brand new and they are accustomed to lengthy printed out word documents. I'm trying to ease them in. I know there are other, better formats for this type of thing, but for now, I just need to get this option working.

TIA.

[Derek Cross]

Keep to simple PDF hyperlinks (or stay with Publish Online).

Alternatively have a look at in5 – but you'd need to invest in some training:

Export HTML5 from InDesign with in5 - Home

[BobLevine · Accepted solution]

MSOs are not supported in interactive PDF.

[Jeffrey_Smith]

Although Multi States do not work in PDF, a similar effect can be created using Show/Hide actions instead.

[Luke Jennings]

To elaborate on Jeffrey's Show/Hide suggestion, you can create layers in InDesign or Illustrator and use your buttons to show the alternate content. Here is a link to a related thread:

expert knowledge necessary

[BobLevine]

While the alternate suggestions of layers and show hide buttons will work, they can get very unwieldy very quickly.

And if you're using a ton of buttons, I can almost assure you that something will go wonky. Also, keep in mind that beyond Acrobat and Reader on desktop, there is no assurance any of this will work at all.

More thoughts in this blog post: https://www.boblevine.us/its-okay-to-say-no-to-interactive-pdf/