merging files loses hyperlinks

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cabart
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merging files loses hyperlinks

Post by cabart »

When merging several pdf files with hyperlinks inside (NOT BOOKMARKS), the hyperlinks are not active anymore after merging. I am obliged to use on line service such as Sedja which works perfectly but has limitations for free users.
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Paul - Tracker Supp
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Re: merging files loses hyperlinks

Post by Paul - Tracker Supp »

Hi cabart

what version of the Editor are you using? Current is 7.0.323.

I created 2 documents with links to web pages and then used File --> New Document --> Combine Files into a Single PDF and the links were retained.

Can you describe how you are doing this please?

regards
Best regards

Paul O'Rorke
Tracker Support North America
http://www.tracker-software.com
cabart
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Re: merging files loses hyperlinks

Post by cabart »

Hi
I use PDF-Xchange editor version 7. I combine files by selecting them in Windows Explorer then right clicking and choosing "combine with PDF-Xchange".
Original files contain internal links on first pages (blue).
Examples: two files named 2007 and 2008, and file combined file named 2007-2008 merged
Thanks for replying
Attachments
2007.pdf
(694.52 KiB) Downloaded 65 times
2007-2008 merged.pdf
(1.29 MiB) Downloaded 53 times
2008.pdf
(832.21 KiB) Downloaded 66 times
Willy Van Nuffel
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Re: merging files loses hyperlinks

Post by Willy Van Nuffel »

Hello,

I was able to reproduce the problem and probably I have the solution, but normally this problem should not happen:
> Once you have selected the desired files, right click, and click "Combine in PDF-XChange Editor"
the "Combine Files" dialog box pops-up.
> In there, click the Options... button.
> In the Options dialog box, make sure to select "Copy" for the Comments option.
> Click OK and OK

@Tracker Support
1) it is not logic to me that internal hyperlinks should be seen as comments
2) in the Combine Files dialog box, whatever the number of selected files, there is always one file missing in the list.
Even though the file will be part of the resulting PDF.

Best regards.
Attachments
PDF-XChange Editor - Combine Files - Options.png
cabart
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Re: merging files loses hyperlinks

Post by cabart »

Hi Willy
I did as you said and indeed it works.
Thanks a lot
(I also noticed what you said about one file missing in the list selected)
Willy Van Nuffel
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Re: merging files loses hyperlinks

Post by Willy Van Nuffel »

Good to know that the solution via Comments => Copy did work.

The problem with the missing file has been picked up in more recent thread:
https://www.pdf-xchange.com/forum3 ... 62&t=30035

Regards.
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Paul - Tracker Supp
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Re: merging files loses hyperlinks

Post by Paul - Tracker Supp »

Thanks for that Willy,

indeed the combine files is being addressed for the next build.

regards the links being seen as comments - that is defined in the PDF specs, it's not something we have arbitrarily done.

hth
Best regards

Paul O'Rorke
Tracker Support North America
http://www.tracker-software.com
Willy Van Nuffel
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Re: merging files loses hyperlinks

Post by Willy Van Nuffel »

Thanks Paul for the information.

I did not know that Links are being seen as Comments (Annotations), because in PDF-XChange Editor (and also in the Viewer) there is a separate group of icons for Links and Bookmarks, apart from Comments.

So, I wonder if it would be better (or not) to make a distinction between Links and (other) Comments when combining files.
For Bookmarks this distinction is already there in the Options dialog box. Why not for Links ?
If this idea can not be realized, then what about renaming the "Comments" option into "Comments and Links" ?
I also wonder about the idea of making the choices in the Options dialog box an immediate part of the Combine Files dialog box ?

Personally, I am experiencing this new knowledge - about Links being a part of Comments - as disturbing and misleading for an everyday user.
If I am not aware about it, I can decide to not copy the Comments when combining files, but at the same time I am loosing all my hyperlinks !
That is not such a pretty experience.

Best regards.
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Paul - Tracker Supp
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Re: merging files loses hyperlinks

Post by Paul - Tracker Supp »

Point noted Willy,

it may be semantics. I will bring it up with the team and see what they think. Myself, I lean towards usability and I agree that this is somewhat arcane knowledge.

It is also a small thing that users can learn. I'm not sure what the outcome will be. Whatever happens I expect this goose to be cooked well and truly after a number of others have met their end...
Best regards

Paul O'Rorke
Tracker Support North America
http://www.tracker-software.com
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