Launching PDF Documents
October 14, 2003 | 
10 Comments
File this under something you really need to know if you are designing, developing, writing for or building Web sites that use HTML mixed with other media. This is about as close to a rule as you can get.
When linking to documents other than HTML from an HTML page, be sure and provide an indicator that you are doing so.
For example: Return on Investment for Usable User-Centered Design: Examples and Statistics (PDF)
Seems logical right? Well, I’m really surprised that I’ve seen so many sites that don’t do this.
It’s like leading your user blindly down a path that they may never make it back from. This is also an example of a time when it might be a good idea to launch a new window.
So, please, if you don’t already, let your users know when you are going to switch media on them. It’s easy to do. You’re users will thank you. I’ll thank you.
Filed under: Web General
Comments
1. Chad Brandos said:
After you get through Jakob Nielsen’s hate for PDF, he suggests using a gateway page for each PDF document. I think that would be best in a more perfect world (perfect would not include PDF), but I think adding “(PDF)” to the link is sufficient.
Posted on October 14, 2003 08:56 PM | #
2. Matt said:
Not only that, but it is a very good idea to include file size, and a link to the software.
At the university I work for, we have a standard PDF link system that looks a little something like this:
Cool (PDF, 52 Kb)
Then at the bottom of the page, a short instruction explaining that a seperate piece of software is required to view the document, along with a link to Adobe’s download page. I think this piece is vital. You can warn users that they will be opening a PDF file, but how are they supposed to know what to do with it?
Posted on October 14, 2003 10:32 PM | #
3. Keith said:
Great additions! Down at my day job at the hospital we used to do the file size thing, but I’ve found it’s can be a bit of a maintenance hassle. Still, I think it’s good and can be somewhat helpful, especially if you’re linking really large documents.
I’m not too sure the PDF gateway thing is worth the effort though. But I don’t think it could hurt if you did it right.
But that brings up the question that if you are going to do that, you may want to avoid PDF (or Word, Excel) all together.
Posted on October 14, 2003 10:47 PM | #
4. TOOLman said:
Matt said, “Not only that, but it is a very good idea to include file size, and a link to the software.”
I second that! The file size is important for us dial-up users. A link to the software might be useful, but not as critical as the file size and Keith’s advice to indicate the change in format.
Posted on October 14, 2003 10:51 PM | #
5. Pete said:
On a site I just finished we added a “resources” section with a appilcation icon, document name, and the words “download (##k)”
Posted on October 14, 2003 11:06 PM | #
6. Chris Hester said:
Filesize for PDFs is irrelevant. Why? Because it is designed to be “internet friendly”. It will often load a page at a time. So if the file is 2Mb big, you are only downloading the first visible page(s).
I used to include file sizes after every document link on our website at work. I found it was a pain as the link can change to a smaller or larger file with the same filename. Plus you have to find the filesize from Windows first every time.
The best solution I have found so far is to include an ICON after each link. I use a 14 x 14 pixel icon for links to Word documents, Excel and PDF.
Posted on October 15, 2003 02:00 AM | #
7. Nigel Peck said:
Good point well made :)
Posted on October 15, 2003 05:35 AM | #
8. Robert Wellock said:
Also remember when creating PDF files of type ‘application/pdf’ that are to be uploaded to the Internet it can be beneficial to use the “Tagged PDF” format to help accommodate for accessibility thus possibly helping those whom use assistive technologies, e.g. Screen Readers.
Posted on October 15, 2003 06:07 AM | #
9. James Craig said:
Matt, like Keith’s original example, I’d suggest including the indicator in the link text for accessibility’s sake. Someone using a screen reader tabbing through links will only hear the link text, not the text immediately following the link text.
Cool (PDF, 52 Kb)
Posted on October 15, 2003 01:29 PM | #
10. Mariann said:
I could not agree more with this golden web design rule. Whoever is handling the website at my university clearly does not know the rule because s/he keeps posting Power Point presentations as press releases or other announcements without any notation. It’s terribly frustrating from a design standpoint, even more so from a user’s perspective.
I like to use (PDF - xx kb) if I’m linking to that kind of file. Or I’ll say, “Access the PDF newsletter (xx kb)” with a hyperlink. Or something like that. It’s not pretty or perfect, but it’s functional. :)
Posted on October 15, 2003 05:28 PM | #
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