How to Fix Broken PDF Links When Opened from SharePoint
Question details
Users experience broken navigation links between separate PDF files when opening them from SharePoint, even though the links function properly when accessed locally.
- Product
- PDF Viewer in SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening and navigating interconnected PDF documents hosted within a SharePoint environment.
- Observed behavior
- Relative file paths and 'Go to a page view' links fail because web browser viewers and SharePoint URL handling interpret local path destinations differently, preventing the target files from opening.
Ensure you have edit permissions for the SharePoint document library and the necessary access to modify the original PDF files.
Use Stable SharePoint Web URLs
Replace local relative file paths in your PDF with absolute SharePoint web links to ensure consistent resolution across different PDF viewers and browsers.
Desktop applications use relative paths that map to a local drive structure. When files are moved to SharePoint, browser-based PDF viewers cannot interpret these relative paths correctly.
Using stable SharePoint URLs bypasses this issue by directing the viewer to an exact web address.
Navigate to the target PDF file in your SharePoint library, click the 'Share' or 'Copy link' button, and copy the stable web URL provided.
Open the source PDF file in your preferred PDF editor and locate the broken hyperlink.
Right-click the link to edit its properties. Change the link action from 'Go to a page view' or 'Open a file' to 'Open a web page'.
Paste the copied SharePoint URL into the web address field, save your PDF, and upload the updated document back to SharePoint.
Combine Linked Files into a Single PDF
Merge separate PDF files into a single, comprehensive document to eliminate the need for external file dependencies.
Verify SharePoint Permissions and Workflow
Ensure that target files are accessible to users and that the testing environment accurately reflects the tools your customers use.
Edit PDF Links and Merge Files Seamlessly with WPS Office
WPS Office offers a comprehensive suite of PDF tools that allows you to quickly replace broken relative paths with stable web URLs or merge multiple documents into one to guarantee reliable navigation in SharePoint.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the source PDF document containing the broken links.
- 2. Access Link Tools: Go to the 'Edit' tab and click on the 'Link' tool to highlight existing hyperlinks.
- 3. Update to Web URL: Double-click the broken link, select 'Open a web page', and paste your absolute SharePoint URL.
- 4. Save and Deploy: Save the modified PDF document and upload it to your SharePoint library for stable access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do relative PDF links work on my desktop drive but fail in SharePoint?
Desktop applications rely on local file directory paths (like C:\Documents). When files are uploaded to SharePoint, browser viewers and web infrastructure manage files using URLs instead of local directories, which causes relative path mappings to break.
Can I use 'Go to a page view' links between separate PDFs in SharePoint?
Generally, no. 'Go to a page view' relies on desktop-level file access to open a secondary document. In a SharePoint web environment, you should use absolute web URLs or combine the PDFs into a single file to maintain page-to-page navigation.
Will links to embedded PDF attachments work in web browsers?
Links to embedded attachments often do not work consistently across different browser-based PDF viewers. It is highly recommended to provide separate downloadable files via web URLs or merge the attachment pages directly into the main PDF body.
