Custom RH9 WebHelp skin: Problem opening PDF file from custom button

[DCconsulting19]

Hi, I've been troubleshooting and checking forums trying to figure out how to get a PDF file to open from a custom button on my WebHelp skin. It worked for me once upon a time, but I changed something in the document and tried to upload the new version and it has errored out ever since.

I want to have the ability to open the PDF in a new window from the custom button (called 'Printable PDF' on my skin), so I am using the following custom JavaScript in the 'Click On' field of the the custom button's components: window.open('print_test.pdf','printWindow','menubar=0,resizable=0,width=900,height=500,scrollbars=1');  I know the script is good because I have the same script for the Support custom button and it works great. The only difference between those scripts is the Support script calls an .html file instead of a PDF and the window names says 'supportWindow' instead of 'printWindow'.

.

I've tried deleting and recreating the custom button, changing the JavaScript with a developer's help, generating the help on another machine thinking it was a glitch with my browser (using IE8) or RoboHelp license, and combing the help files numerous times. I've also ensured that the PDF file is stored in the skin and project folders along with the other project files/folders. I've used previous versions of RoboHelp and had no problems attaching a Word document and PDF, so I'm wondering if this is a bug in RH9?? Especially since it worked for me initially. Any assistance and/or fresh ideas are welcomed! Thank you!

[Captiv8r]

Hi there and welcome to our community

How are you testing? From your local hard drive or after uploading to a server?

Do you have Mark of the Web enabled?

Cheers... Rick

Helpful and Handy Links RoboHelp Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7, 8 or 9 within the day! Adobe Certified RoboHelp HTML Training SorcerStone Blog RoboHelp eBooks

[DCconsulting19]

Hi Rick,

Thank you. I'm generating off of my local drive and I do have Mark of the Web enabled.

~Sarah

[Captiv8r · Accepted solution]

Hello again

Try disabling MOTW and generating again. Then test and jump through the hoops MOTW saves you from jumping through. (Yellow Information Bar and all that)

My guess is that MOTW is inhibiting things. Once you publish this content to a server you should be good.

Cheers.. Rick

Helpful and Handy Links RoboHelp Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7, 8 or 9 within the day! Adobe Certified RoboHelp HTML Training SorcerStone Blog RoboHelp eBooks

[DCconsulting19]

Thanks Rick! That did the trick. You have saved me from weeks of frustration! Much appreciated!  So...if I were to select MOTW before I generate my final version that I publish to the server, will MOTW keep inhibiting the PDF?

~Sarah

[Captiv8r]

Hello again

Happy I was able to help.

MOTW is only present and affects things when you are running content off your local C drive. It's value is in preventing that Yellow Information Bar and all that from appearing when you are using IE. Once you publish content to a server and access it that way you are in a different security zone and MOTW has no influence either way. So there would be no adantage to enabling it before publishing to a server. The only reason you might want to consider enabling it would be if you were copying the WebHelp to everyone's hard drive and having them run it from their hard drives.

Make sense?

Hope so... Rick

Helpful and Handy Links RoboHelp Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7, 8 or 9 within the day! Adobe Certified RoboHelp HTML Training SorcerStone Blog RoboHelp eBooks

[DCconsulting19]

Makes perfect sense now that you have explained it. No real need for MOTW for my purposes, but I see the value it adds. Thanks again for all of your help and extra information.

~Sarah