Affinity Publisher Hyperlinking and including a PDF File on Export

[Benege]

Hello,

I have created a "button" icon of a PDF file that I wish to include inside an exported copy of a report that I am creating in Affinity Publisher (see screenshot).

• I gave the PDF icon Hyperlink Properties: Hyperlink Type: File.
• I pointed the hyperlink to where the file resides on my computer.
• Finally, I check boxed "Include File on Export."

I then exported the Affinity Publisher file in PDF format. I have tried a few PDF formats for exporting:

• PDF (for export)
• PDF (digital - small size)
• PDF (digital - high quality)

When trying to click the hyperlink on my work computer, I get the following message: "The file “FileName.pdf” couldn’t be opened because you don’t have permission to view it."  I tried giving full permissions to both the exported PDF and the linked file PDF but I still get the same message.

When I try to click the hyperlink in the exported PDF on another computer, nothing happens. I do not even get the message telling my I do not have permission to view it.

Could someone please help me by letting me know:

1. What is expected behavior when we link a file in a PDF export and check box "Include File on Export."
2. Please tell me what I am doing wrong.

Thank you in advance for any help and support.

I am using an iMac running macOS Catalina and the latest version of Affinity Publisher.

[walt.farrell]

What application are you using to view the exported PDF?

Have you tried another one?

[Benege]

Hi @walt.farrell,

I tried using both Apple's Preview app and Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Maybe I am misunderstanding the checkbox "Include File on Export". I was imagining that the file would be embedded inside the exported PDF. It seems like the file is simply copied and placed separately to the PDF export. If this is the case, then I might have to look for an online option such as through Dropbox.

Although it still does not quite explain the message regarding not being able to open the file due to lacking permissions. Thank you for your help!

[thomaso]

If it helps for investigation, the attached Zip contains 2 .afpubs + accordingly PDF exports. Each of them contains a set of the 5 available Affinity hyperlink types, with the link on the text "file" in both PDFs pointing to the other PDF.   (ignore "cross reference" in the file file name, in fact it's hyperlinks only)

hyperlinks cross reference.zip

[Benege]

Hi @thomaso

Thank you, this confirms it:

Quote

1. (Optional) For a file link, tick Include File on Export to have Publisher create a copy of the file alongside the PDF (when exporting to a PDF version that supports hyperlinks).

Just one final question, does anybody understand why the message occurs: "The file “FileName.pdf” couldn’t be opened because you don’t have permission to view it." ?

[thomaso]

I don't really know but it feels like a macOS thing. A search for "macos preview open pdf link access right denied" shows a bunch of results, some in the Apple discussions.

I did not get this access rights message in Acrobat Pro – but right now I got it when trying one of my test PDFs in macOS Preview. Then I tried the other PDF first and the message doesn't occur again + the links work, now between both PDFs (... as if Preview.app would have to "learn" first, though it doesn't make much sense).

Do the links in my uploaded PDFs work for you? If yes then take a look in the .afpubs to compare the ways the links are set.

[Benege]

Hi @thomaso,

Yes, the links all work, thank you. I think you might be right. Some macOS security thingy. Although I cannot (for now) find a solution to circumvent it.

At this point it looks like the best solution for me is to put the linked PDF file online and allow people to access through a URL.

Thanks again for your helpfulness! 🙏