I am trying to create a hyperlink to a document that I have in my resources. I have seen other discussions on this but mine is not working for some reason.
I just get an error message (attached). I have uploaded to a new file just to make sure that there is no corruption, but it still doesn't work.
I have attached the Story to see if I have missed something obvious, but would appreciate anyone's urgent help on this as I need to complete the project by Monday.
I notice that the URL shown in the Resource_issue.jpg image isn't what it should be for an attached file in a published course. When you link to a file and publish the project, a copy of the file is stored in the external_files folder, which is in the story_content folder.
Storyline is (to put it politely) quirky when it comes to attached files. From what I've seen, it uses an exact path to an attached file, rather than a relative one. In other words, if you move files at all, the program can't find the file when you publish the project.
So try this: delete the hyperlink and then put it back in. And be sure to use the Load File button to locate the current copy of the file.
FYI: I edited a copy of your file on my hard drive, attached a local PDF, and published the project. The attached file opened and was exactly where expected: in an external_files folder.
I hope this helps you get your project done on time. Good luck!
Hi Judy, I think I am missing something. I don't get the Jump to URL/file option, just the Open URL/file option and if I click on the Load file button it just allows me to load external files.
I work in Storyline 3. I'm guessing you're using SL360, which probably accounts for the difference between "Jump to URL/file" vs. "Open URL/file."
There is a difference between how SL3 and SL360 handle external files. As per this article, SL360 puts files directly in the story_content folder (not in an external_files folder):
Since you're not seeing the file in that folder, here's one more thing to try: Copy and paste the file into the story_content folder after you publish the course. Be sure to use the same file name as when you loaded the file.
Other than that, I'm no help at this point. I suggest you contact the support staff by submitting a case. Do that here:
Hi, I am trying to do this again on another course and it is not working again. I am clearly doing something wrong.
I have added the pdf to resources and have added the trigger 'story_content/external_files/****_Checklist_19Feb2021.pdf' When i publish and go into it I just get the attached error massage.
And if I look in the Story Content, the external file is not there. Do I have to add the file manually? If not, what else could be going wrong?
Need your help in solving the below issue. This has really made me scratching my head ☹
Requirement – I want learners to download additional documents in a PDF format.
Steps followed
Added the ‘Open URL/file’ trigger to a PDF icon/image.
Click the ellipsis button to navigate and select the required file stored in my SharePoint folder.
Publish the story file and upload it in the LMS.
Error
Learners receive ‘Sorry, you don’t have access’ error.
How do I resolve this issue? Please suggest.
To add, i have resources link enabled in player and added few others public links and not these pdf links. And I don't see any external_files folder created in the story content folder. Do I necessarily need to add a link to the PDF files in addition to the 'Open URL/file' trigger to work?
Thanks, Jose. As suggested in the discussion thread below, I linked to the file rather than the URL, and it worked. I also verified that a copy of the file is loaded in story_conten/external_files.
Hosting the files in a cloud space like Amazon S3 or Google Drive is a good option; I will evaluate that, too
11 Replies
Hi, Steven,
I notice that the URL shown in the Resource_issue.jpg image isn't what it should be for an attached file in a published course. When you link to a file and publish the project, a copy of the file is stored in the external_files folder, which is in the story_content folder.
Storyline is (to put it politely) quirky when it comes to attached files. From what I've seen, it uses an exact path to an attached file, rather than a relative one. In other words, if you move files at all, the program can't find the file when you publish the project.
So try this: delete the hyperlink and then put it back in. And be sure to use the Load File button to locate the current copy of the file.
FYI: I edited a copy of your file on my hard drive, attached a local PDF, and published the project. The attached file opened and was exactly where expected: in an external_files folder.
I hope this helps you get your project done on time. Good luck!
Hi Judy, I think I am missing something. I don't get the Jump to URL/file option, just the Open URL/file option and if I click on the Load file button it just allows me to load external files.
I think I am clearly doing something wrong?
Hi again, Steve,
I work in Storyline 3. I'm guessing you're using SL360, which probably accounts for the difference between "Jump to URL/file" vs. "Open URL/file."
There is a difference between how SL3 and SL360 handle external files. As per this article, SL360 puts files directly in the story_content folder (not in an external_files folder):
https://community.articulate.com/series/articulate-storyline-360/articles/articulate-storyline-360-user-guide-how-to-attach-resources#add
Since you're not seeing the file in that folder, here's one more thing to try: Copy and paste the file into the story_content folder after you publish the course. Be sure to use the same file name as when you loaded the file.
Other than that, I'm no help at this point. I suggest you contact the support staff by submitting a case. Do that here:
https://articulate.com/support/contact
Storyline 360 still generates an external_files folder here is how to link to something in resources
story_content/external_files/YourFile.extension
Thank you for this everyone. Sorted now. Apologies for the slight delay in responding. Been manic
Hi, I am trying to do this again on another course and it is not working again. I am clearly doing something wrong.
I have added the pdf to resources and have added the trigger 'story_content/external_files/****_Checklist_19Feb2021.pdf' When i publish and go into it I just get the attached error massage.
And if I look in the Story Content, the external file is not there. Do I have to add the file manually? If not, what else could be going wrong?
the resources needs to be enabled on at least one slide for them to be included in the output
Thank you Phil, that has done the trick.
Hi,
Need your help in solving the below issue. This has really made me scratching my head ☹
Requirement – I want learners to download additional documents in a PDF format.
Steps followed
Added the ‘Open URL/file’ trigger to a PDF icon/image.
Click the ellipsis button to navigate and select the required file stored in my SharePoint folder.
Publish the story file and upload it in the LMS.
Error
Learners receive ‘Sorry, you don’t have access’ error.
How do I resolve this issue? Please suggest.
To add, i have resources link enabled in player and added few others public links and not these pdf links. And I don't see any external_files folder created in the story content folder. Do I necessarily need to add a link to the PDF files in addition to the 'Open URL/file' trigger to work?
Hello Ponnammal Sundaram,
Happy to help!
The files in your SharePoint folder might not be publicly accessible. As a troubleshooting step, you can:
Let me know how it goes!
Thanks, Jose. As suggested in the discussion thread below, I linked to the file rather than the URL, and it worked. I also verified that a copy of the file is loaded in story_conten/external_files.
Hosting the files in a cloud space like Amazon S3 or Google Drive is a good option; I will evaluate that, too
Open URL/File - Articulate Storyline Discussions - E-Learning Heroes