links don't work on exported PDFs when opened in Microsoft Edge
Hi there, so in my work I regularly have to make PDF's that have links and tables of contents. They also need to be printable.
To do this I build them in InDesign and Export as 'Adobe PDF (Print)'. This results in a file that navigates with the view I want with working links and the right colours etc.
BUT not on Microsoft Edge. Its taken quite a while to realise that that links don't work there. They will work in Firefox, Chrome and Acrobat with no trouble. PDF's made in other programs (I only tested Microsoft Word) work fine as well. The problem is very clearly between InDesign and Edge. (Although I confess I've not tested other Adobe programs like Illustrator).
After a LOT of research I've found the cause:
'Fast Web View'
When saving a PDF I need to unselect this setting and then everything works as expected. The downside is links open in the same tab but I'll can live with that.
If trying to fix a PDF that is already broken open it in Acrobat then hit crtl+shift+s. From there change 'Save as type' to Adobe PDF Files, Optimised (*.pdf). and select Settings. In settings select Standard in the top left then go down to clean up. In clean-up uncheck 'optimise the PDF for fast web view'. Ta da, problem solved.
So I guess this both is both the ask and the patch. Although I would very much like to know WHY this happens and if its intended or a bug? It seems to be if you're optimising for 'fast web view' you'd expect working links to be part of the mix.
Mim Gibbs
shared this idea
-
V.T
commented
Getting the same issue Mim, hopefully Adobe will take note and patch this in future versions, great detective work.