How to embed PDFs as a web object correctly?

Hi again, Lindsey!

Thanks for reaching out about this, and smart idea to also open a support case. I've seen this happen occasionally when the web server that hosts the PDF doesn't allow content to be displayed in a frame. 

My colleague, Wilbert, is taking a look at your case, and I'll follow along there, too. I'm curious to see what further insight he will share with you!

Hi Alyssa,

Thank you for reaching out. I'll wait to hear back from Wilbert. It would be great to get the PDF to play within the Storyline course itself.

Thanks! 

Lindsey

Hi... i have the same error! Was this issue solved?

Hi, Sayuj. Sorry you've come across that error!

I took a peek at Lindsey's case and see we determined the issue was specific to the server where the PDF file was hosted. It looks like that web server did not allow content to be displayed in a frame. 

Would you mind sharing the URL with us so we can try to replicate this behavior? You can share it publicly here, or send that address to us privately in a case here. We'll give it a test and let you know what we find! 

I have tried to add a pdf in a web object and instead of opening the pdf, it closes the elearning.

I have tried using several pdfs and it wont work.

Hi Allan!

I'd love to help! I'll need a few more details before I can start troubleshooting.

First, which browser are you using? This will help me test the interaction on my end. 

Have you published the file for Web, LMS, or Review 360?

It's also helpful to take a look at the file. Are you able to share the file with me? You can either attach it to this discussion or share it privately with me using this link. 

I have tried several pdf documents and published to web, LMS & 360, all with the same result.

Sadly, we are still using IE11, which drives me crazy, but I have no choice

Hi All, 

I can add PDF's as a web object and it works but I can't see how to close the slide and continue on the course. Is there a setting I have missed. I am not using the menu navigation.

Hello Allan!

Thank you for adding those extra details!

Have you decided to open the web object in a new browser or on the slide? 

Is it possible for you to share the affected file? 

Hi Wendy!

Great question! You can determine how the PDF is displayed by using this setting:

You can either choose to display the PDF in a slide or in a new browser window. 

Let me know if you've already adjusted that setting!

I always want to open in the slide, I believe that you should never let your students move out of the module, The affected file is attached in the thread above

Hi Lauren,

Thanks for getting back to me. I am opening them in a new browser and added a button to go back to the course.

Do I need to put the files I am linking to in the course when I publish?

If so, where please.

Thanks

Wendy

Hi Allan!

I appreciate you taking the time to share these extra details!

I've run tests on my end to see how PDF's work as Web Objects in Internet Explorer.

Here's what I've found:

• Internet Explorer prompts users to download the PDF which is a security setting Internet Explorer. As you mentioned, Chrome doesn't have the same prompt.

I've recorded my testing in this short Peek 360 video. 

Here's the temporary link for your project. This link is available for the next 10 days.

Hi Wendy!

Great question!

When Web Objects are set to open in a new browser then there aren't any prompts in place to bring users back to the course. However, there might be coding that you could use to prompt users to another browser. Coding is not my expertise, so I'll hand that over to our coding experts in the community!