PDF Opening Issues

Fix SharePoint Approval Links Opening PDFs in Edge Instead of Adobe

Khadija Khan Oct 23, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users need approval workflow links sent via Microsoft Teams to open PDFs in Adobe rather than Microsoft Edge, so they can add necessary comments and sticky notes.

How to Stop SharePoint Approval Links Opening PDFs in Edge Instead of Adobe

Product: SharePoint Online, Microsoft Teams
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Accessing a PDF file through an approval workflow link sent in Microsoft Teams to perform review tasks.
Observed behavior: The PDF link opens in the Microsoft Edge PDF viewer instead of Adobe, preventing users from adding required Adobe-specific comments and sticky notes.

Before you start

Verify that you have administrative or editing access to the approval workflow (such as Power Automate) to check and modify the URL structure being generated.

Solution 1Recommended

Modify the Workflow Configuration to Generate Adobe Links

Adjust the approval workflow so that it generates an Adobe Document Cloud link instead of a default web link, ensuring the document routes to the correct viewer.

The issue occurs because the workflow generates a standard direct URL to the SharePoint file, which Microsoft Teams routes to the default web browser (Edge). By changing the dynamic content in the workflow to match the SharePoint Adobe integration URL, you can force the file to open correctly.

Open Workflow Editor

Navigate to Power Automate or your chosen workflow editor and open the specific SharePoint approval workflow.

Locate the Link Generation Step

Find the action step in the workflow where the PDF file link is generated and attached to the approval message.

Update the URL Format

Modify the dynamic content parameter. Instead of using the default SharePoint item link, configure it to output the specific Adobe Document Cloud URL format used for direct SharePoint access.

Save and Test

Save the workflow changes and trigger a test approval in Microsoft Teams to verify that the generated link now successfully opens the PDF in Adobe.

Modify the Workflow Configuration to Generate Adobe Links

URL Formatting: You can find the correct Adobe integration URL format by opening a PDF directly from the SharePoint library in Adobe and inspecting the web address.

Solution 2

Contact the SharePoint or Integration Administrator

If you do not have permission to modify workflow configurations, you will need to escalate the routing issue to your IT administration team.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Need a Better Way to View and Annotate PDFs? Try WPS Office

If default browser integrations are causing headaches with PDF approvals, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible PDF editor with full support for comments, sticky notes, and advanced annotations, allowing seamless document review without workflow routing issues.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office on your device to access the built-in PDF toolkit.
2. Set as Default: Set WPS PDF as your default PDF viewer to ensure downloaded approval files open locally in a robust editor.
3. Add Annotations: Open your PDF, navigate to the 'Comment' tab, and easily insert sticky notes, highlights, and text comments.

Free and lightweight PDF editing and viewing experienceFully compatible with standard PDF formats and Microsoft Office filesEasily add sticky notes, comments, and approvals to any documentFamiliar user interface requires no learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Microsoft Teams links automatically open PDFs in Edge?

Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Edge are deeply integrated. By default, Teams routes standard web links for documents to the built-in Edge viewer to keep users within the Microsoft ecosystem, often bypassing third-party integrations like Adobe unless a specific application link is provided.

Are Adobe sticky notes visible in other PDF viewers?

Yes, standard sticky notes and text comments created in Adobe Acrobat are generally visible in other compliant PDF viewers, including Edge and WPS Office. However, adding or modifying complex approval stamps may require a dedicated PDF editor.

Can I force Microsoft Edge to open PDFs in Adobe on my desktop?

You can change your Windows system settings to make Adobe Acrobat your default PDF app. Additionally, in Edge settings, you can toggle the option 'Always download PDF files' so that clicking a link downloads the file and opens it in your default desktop PDF viewer instead of the browser.

PDF Troubleshooting