How to Display a PDF in a new browser window :)

[mudrow1]

I am trying to re-work a Visual Basic (ASP .NET 2.0) application that delivers a PDF to a user based on requests. I have the appropriate MIME type (Application/pdf) specified but need to open the pdf in a new browser window. Any ideas? I appreciate any and all input
Thanks

[drhowarddrfine]

If you are asking how to do it in vb.net, you should ask on the .net forum.

[mudrow1]

If you are asking how to do it in vb.net, you should ask on the .net forum.

Thank you ... as a 'newbie' to the site I'm still getting my bearings here :)

[phvfl]

Do you already have the PDF file on the server and so this is linking to it or are you trying to generate the PDF file on the fly and display it to the user?

[mudrow1]

Do you already have the PDF file on the server and so this is linking to it or are you trying to generate the PDF file on the fly and display it to the user?

The pdf files already exist - I am just trying to display their contents albeit in a new browser window once selected

[phvfl]

As the PDF already exists this is just a matter of getting the HTML correct to link to the file.

To do this through HTML, no scripting required, create an anchor with the href being the location of the file (URL not local file path) and a target attribute of "_blank":
[HTML]
<a href="/test/doc.pdf" target="_blank">document</a>
[/HTML]

The main issue with this is that the target attribute is not valid in XHTML strict. You could also do this using javascript to open the new window. In this case the code would be:
[HTML]
<a href="/test/doc.pdf" onclick="return opendoc();">document</a>
[/HTML]

function opendoc(){
window.open("/test/doc.pdf", "document name");
return false;
}
 

In the javascript the return false means that the link is not followed. If for any reason javascript is disabled then the link will be followed and the file will open on the same page. A full description of the javascript window.open function can be found here. Be warned that you may find some pop-up blockers may block the new window.

[mudrow1]

As the PDF already exists this is just a matter of getting the HTML correct to link to the file.

To do this through HTML, no scripting required, create an anchor with the href being the location of the file (URL not local file path) and a target attribute of "_blank":
[HTML]
<a href="/test/doc.pdf" target="_blank">document</a>
[/HTML]

The main issue with this is that the target attribute is not valid in XHTML strict. You could also do this using javascript to open the new window. In this case the code would be:
[HTML]
<a href="/test/doc.pdf" onclick="return opendoc();">document</a>
[/HTML]

function opendoc(){
window.open("/test/doc.pdf", "document name");
return false;
}
 

In the javascript the return false means that the link is not followed. If for any reason javascript is disabled then the link will be followed and the file will open on the same page. A full description of the javascript window.open function can be found here. Be warned that you may find some pop-up blockers may block the new window.

Thanks for the guidance .. this is turning out to be more involved than I initially envisioned :) I appreciate your assistance !

[mudrow1]

Thanks for the guidance .. this is turning out to be more involved than I initially envisioned :) I appreciate your assistance !

I was able to get (closer to) my objective with the proceeding code
[CODE}
Imports System.Diagnostics
Partial Class _Default
Inherits System.Web.UI.Page


Protected Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
'Shell("command.com /c c:\test.pdf", vbNormalFocus)

Process.Start("c:\test.pdf") ' "IEXplore.exe"


'If IO.File.Exists("C:\test.pdf") = True Then
'System.Diagnostics.Process.Start("C:\test.pdf")


'End If
End Sub


End Class
[/code]

but am still working out the 'kinks' since it works fine in my IDE but doesn't do anything when I move it to our secured web server (and access it via the HTTPS: protocol :) Thanks again - I'm also goign to try the Javascript route that you suggested later this evening - it nothing else I'm learning a lot 'the hard way' :) Thanks!

[phvfl]

The code that you have would open the new instance of IE on the server, not on the client. This means that if a user clicked the button then they would see nothing but a new browser would open on the server.

If you want this action to be performed on a button click then use the javascript mentioned previously, if you are happy having a link on that is clicked then the standard HTML should work

[mudrow1]

The code that you have would open the new instance of IE on the server, not on the client. This means that if a user clicked the button then they would see nothing but a new browser would open on the server.

If you want this action to be performed on a button click then use the javascript mentioned previously, if you are happy having a link on that is clicked then the standard HTML should work

Thanks! I hadn't detected that glitch but I'm glad you pointed it out .. I went back and got the Javacript to work -- call me an Idiot (but not too loudly!) what would I do without you?

[phvfl]

Thanks! I hadn't detected that glitch but I'm glad you pointed it out .. I went back and got the Javacript to work -- call me an Idiot (but not too loudly!) what would I do without you?

No problem, it's what we are here for. Easy mistake to make, I've done similar things in the past when first starting out :)