Viewing of .pdf files from SharePoint 2013 using Word Mobile viewer not working.

Question

We recently discovered an issue with opening .pdf files posted on SharePoint 2013 on mobile devices.  When attempting to open the document, it opens up Word Web App and then displays an error "Viewing of .pdf files has been disabled in Microsoft Word Mobile Viewer.  Please get in touch with your helpdesk." 

If I enable the option for desktop view, it then refreshes the page and loads the .pdf file.  I have tried multiple browser versions on Android including the built-in browser, Chrome, and Firefox.  They all basically do the same thing.  It works fine on desktops and was also tested and working fine on an iPad running iOS 8.02 

I did some searching on this problem and others are reporting it as well.  Looks like it's been reported over a year ago.  Is this really by design?  Is there any fix in the works?  Even with the workaround, not all of our end users are even going to know that enabling desktop view will help.

Thanks,

Dave

Answer 1

Check if these links could help you solve the problem.

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/df6fd020-fdc0-4c55-905f-8812b63ab422/sharepoint-2013-cannot-view-pdf-documents-in-mobile-browser-with-office-web-apps?forum=sharepointgeneral

https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/ie/en-US/71842e2e-52db-4b11-83ab-eb7f174e2013/viewing-of-pdf-files-from-sharepoint-2013-using-word-mobile-viewer-not-working?forum=sharepointgeneral

Answer 2

Hello Dave,

Welcome to Microsoft Community and thank you for posting your query.

Since the issue is with opening .pdf files posted on SharePoint, for better suggestion you may post your query in the forum link below.

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/sharepointgeneral/threads

Thank you.

Answer 3

Hello Raju,

The problem is not with SharePoint as the .pdf files open fine on a PC.  The issue is with the Mobile Word version on mobile devices as I originally stated.

Thanks,

Dave

Answer 4

So that's it?  No other assistance from Microsoft on this issue?

Thanks,

Dave

Answer 5

Looks like it just isn't supported.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/office\_web\_apps\_server\_2013\_support\_blog/archive/2013/12/31/enabling-pdf-previews-in-document-libraries-with-office-web-apps-2013-in-sharepoint-2013-open-link-does-not-work-from-preview.aspx

Thanks