Linking to an xls file that is loaded into the CBT?

Nov 17, 2015

Hi,

 

I am trying to link to an xls file by uploading it directly into the CBT. When I publish it for the web (to preview it before loading it into our LMS) and click on that link, it tries ot open the xls file in the browser, which results in a page of random characters, rather than opening it in excel or asking whether the user would like to download it or open it.

Has anyone had this happen and is there a solution to this?

Thanks!

14 Replies
Michael Ty

Thanks for the response.

It's interesting, I have no idea what you're saying :)

Is this how you create a link to an excel file? That seems so complicated to just create a link to a file, which is all I'm trying to do.

Do you think this is the easiest solution? I'm not really even sure what this does, but if it allows the xls file to open in a browser, I don't want to do that. I just want users to be able to click the link in the CBT and open or download an xls file.

Thanks!

 

 

Michael Ty

No worries. And that's what I thought, but here again is what is happening (in steps)...

1. I'm adding the xls file directly to the CBT and linking to it (uploading the xls file to the CBT)

2. then publishing it for the Web

3. then uploading the files to a server and testing the CBT

and when I click on the link to the xls file, it is opening the xls file in a browser, which results in jarbled characters in a browser window, rather than opening the xls file with Microsoft Excel.

Any ideas on how to get the file to open with the correct program, or at least prompt the user to download it?

Thanks again!

 

Michael Ty

Hey Seth,

Sorry, I'm forced to use Storyline 1 with this company, so I don't think I can view that file, but are you saying to create a folder within the CBT? I've never done that and I'm not seeing it. Where do I go to create a folder?

Or do you mean to create a folder on a separate server? That is difficult in this case due to access issues for the viewers of the CBT.

Thanks

Michael Ty

Hi Ashley,

The link needs to be on the slide itself, and I have it set up that way, and the link works, meaning that it opens the file. But the problem is that it is an xls file and it is opening it inside f the browser, rather than opening the file with the appropriate program, Microsoft Excel.

Have you never heard of this happening? I'm not sure why my situation would be unique, it seems pretty straightforward from my end, but just not opening the file correctly. It is an xlsx file.... is it not recognizing the file extension?

Michael Ty

Looking at that link that you sent, I was not adding the file first to the Resources tab. I will try that. I was uploading it directly from my computer to the slide dialogue box. Maybe that is why? I will try that method. Thanks

 

Go to the Insert tab, and click Hyperlink.
When the Trigger Wizard launches, select Jump to URL/File from the Action drop-down list.
In the File field, type the following text (but replace MyFile.xlsx with the name of your file, including the appropriate file extension):

story_content/external_files/MyFile.xlsx

Michael Ty

Ok. Even when I first upload it to the Resources tab, then link to it using the relative story_content link, like in the link that you sent me to, http://www.articulate.com/support/storyline/how-to-link-to-a-file-resource-attachment , it still opens the xls file inside of a browser window, whcih doesn't work. t's just all random characters, illegible. Frustrating. Can Storyline not link to and xls or xlsx file? It opens the file in a browser window with the url http://mywebsite.com/story_content/external_files/myspreadsheet.xlsx

Ashley Terwilliger-Pollard

Hi Michael,,

Sorry - I meant to include this link here on how to add a hyperlink to a slide (either to a URL or file).  
The other link is a good one if you've already added it to your resource tab. I tested my own set up and linked to an Excel file and was prompted to download it as expected. I hadn't tested an Excel file in awhile, so I did confirm that it does work. I know often it's browser and individual browser setting specific - have you tried to look at changing how files are downloaded or shown? I was viewing in the latest version of Chrome - where are you viewing your course currently? If you'd like to share a link to the course I'm also happy to give it a test? 

Michael Ty

Thanks Seth. That is a great link and very similar to my issue, but it is happening to me in Firefox as well and it looks like that's a computer-specific fix. Thanks though.

Ashley, thanks for the offer. Unfortunately I'm not able to share the course because it is intranet content. I did notice that on Chrome it opens the link in a new window and then also downloads it. It may be because the Browser Option is set to open the link in a new window.

I'll try changing that and keep working on it. Thanks

Ashley Terwilliger-Pollard

Hi Michael,

Are you uploading your final content to a web server or users are just linking to it off the intranet? Have you published for web? It may be also connected to how users are accessing it - especially if it's acting as if it's a web course being played locally. That can cause you to encounter security restrictions as described here. 

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