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rattie53
Participant
July 31, 2017
Answered

PDF downloads from online interactive upload

  • July 31, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 6309 views

I've been publishing online magazines for an organisation that I volunteer for for some time now and it works well, but on the latest issue I've had a query about someone who wants to download a PDF version.  I have never really bothered about this because I don't see the point as it's a digital online edition and why would you want to download as a PDF.  Anyway, this person is pointed out that when they download the PDF version none of the interactive elements work and they are presented with blank pages where the interactive elements should be.

My missing something obvious or is this not supported.

https://indd.adobe.com/view/c40714f7-7326-459d-a375-f6a5d1985f2c

Correct answer Steve Werner

It sounds like you're using the Publish Online feature. This allows you to include a PDF for download.

According to Diane Burns, who wrote an excellent article on Publish Online in InDesign Magazine, January 2016, there are some limitations in that process. It only allows a print PDF file:

"First, some of the interactive features may not be included in the PDF. You can create a custom Print PDF preset that includes hyperlinks, but no other interactive elements will be functional in the PDF, including buttons, objects states, or animations. Their appearance on the page may be correct, but they will not work."

2 replies

andreamaestri
andreamaestri
Participating Frequently
July 31, 2017

Unfortunatly "Publish Online" wouldn't look the same as a PDF file, but a valid alternative is an interactive PDF : Create an interactive PDF | InDesign Tutorial  Create dynamic PDF documents in Adobe InDesign althought there's some limitation aswell, the best way to view an interactive PDF is using the latest Acrobat Reader such as PDF reader, PDF viewer | Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

Steve Werner
Community Expert
Steve WernerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
July 31, 2017

It sounds like you're using the Publish Online feature. This allows you to include a PDF for download.

According to Diane Burns, who wrote an excellent article on Publish Online in InDesign Magazine, January 2016, there are some limitations in that process. It only allows a print PDF file:

"First, some of the interactive features may not be included in the PDF. You can create a custom Print PDF preset that includes hyperlinks, but no other interactive elements will be functional in the PDF, including buttons, objects states, or animations. Their appearance on the page may be correct, but they will not work."

R
rattie53Author
Participant
July 31, 2017

Steve, thanks for your reply. I pretty much thought as much.  The PDF pages with interactive element display blank. That is unless there is something laid on top of the interactive element such as some text which shows up but not the interactive element. 

Such a shame, but I'm sure somewhere down the line this functionality will appear.  The magazine goes out to an older audience who some like something tangible as apposed to link to something online.

BobLevine
Community Expert
BobLevineCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 31, 2017

Much of the interactive content that is supported in Publish Online is not supported in PDF. That includes animations and multi state objects.

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