Linking to PDFs in FrameMaker and Word

Latest Release (2011.3)

This article will go over the proper way to link to PDFs in ePublisher. In addition, this article will also go over how to modify content.xsl to have your PDFs open in a new window.

In order to create a link to a PDF file from WebWorks Help, you will need to first create a link to a PDF in your FrameMaker document. To achieve this, create a hypertext marker within your selected text area (where you would like to create your link).

1)	In the FrameMaker menu, go to Special > Hypertext (This will open the Hypertext box.)

2)	From the Command dropdown menu, choose Message Client.

3)	In the Syntax text box, type `message openfile relative_path`.

Before generating your project in ePublisher, you can test your link in FrameMaker by using the shortcut Ctrl + Alt and click your link. If your links in FrameMaker are done correctly, they should generate properly in WebWorks ePublisher.

4)	Save and close the file.

5)	Regenerate the project.

1)	In the Word menu, go to Insert > Hyperlink.

2)	Select “Existing File or Web Page” for the “Link to” property.

3)	In the “Text to display” option, type in the text you want to display for the link.

4)	Navigate and select the PDF file and click OK.

Before generating your project in ePublisher, you can test your link in Word by using the shortcut selecting Ctrl + click to follow your link. If your links in Word are done correctly, they should generate properly in WebWorks ePublisher.

5)	Save and close the file.

6)	Regenerate the project.

New to ePublisher Pro 9.2, you can now specify in the UI how your external links will be launched. By default, PDF links will open in a separate browser window. In the Format Settings dialog, you can also choose to open external/baggage files in the current topic frame