PDF WopiFrame URL is resolved as a ROOT FOLDER containing that PDF

Question

Hi All,

Recently we observed that any PDF WopiFrame URL on our SharePoint Online Site Collection is redirecting to the folder containing it. Whereas the default behavior should be opening it in the browser (WopiFrame) which was there before few days. Again to make it clear, these URLs are linked to our custom UI and we are not talking about clicking the document in a Document Library. Has there been any recent updates in the SharePoint Online that has withdrawn the WopiFrame support for PDF files? Also suggest a workaround to open these PDF WopiFrame URL till we get a permanent solution.

Appreciate your help!

Thank You

Jitendra

Answer 1

Hi Jitendra,

Based on my test, we cannot use Office Online to directly open PDF file, so the Wopiframe redirect the URL to the root folder. If we use PDF reader to open the URL, it is related to the browser. Chrome or Firefox can directly open the PDF in browser. You may use the URL https://xyz.sharepoint.com/sites/sitename/libraryname/xxx.pdf  to open the pdf file in PDF reader add-in with Chrome and Firefox.

Moreover, I'd like to confirm something via private message. You can find the message via the URL https://community.office365.com/en-us/user/conversations.

Best regards,

Tim

Answer 2

Hi Tim,

I tried the URL format shared by you and it still redirecting to the document library on IE and Chrome both.

Thank you,

Jitendra

Answer 3

Hi Jitendra,

You can try use the URL below in Chrome to check the Outcome. Use the path of the file.

https://xyz.sharepoint.com/sites/abc/Deliverables/_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc=/sites/abc/Deliverables/def/CRS_document_rev1.docx&action=default 

Moreover, Does the Wopiframe URL work well in both IE and Chrome? At that time, does the PDF file opened in PDF Reader or Word Online?

Best regards,

Tim

Answer 4

Hi Tim,

Thanks for looking into this. Please refer the answers to your queries in same order below -

1. Since our site is a MBI site, I cannot share Site Collection/ Document URL. However the typical URL structure for PDF is as below

https://domain.sharepoint.com/teams/sitecollection/subsite/\_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc={266F2B7E-3246-4FA6-934E-4E72085AB941}&file=xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.pdf&action=default

2. Yes, the WopiFrame URLs are working for Word / Excel / PowerPoint / OneNote  documents but not for PDF
3. We are using HTML anchor <a> tag and assigning URL to its HREF for adding it to UI
4. I tried IE11 and Chrome but the issue is same on both. Yes I have Adobe Reader 11 installed on my machine.

Thank You,

Jitendra

Answer 5

Hi Jitendra,

To better understand the situation, I’d like to confirm the following things:

1. Some URLs of the PDF files which are linked to your custom UI and the URL of that SharePoint site collection.
2. For other Office applications, if we create the same WopiFrame URL, will they open properly with Office web app?
3. How do you add the link to the custom UI?
4. Which browser do you use? If you change to another browser, can the pdf file be opened online? Do you install Adobe Reader on your computer?

For privacy protection, I have sent you a private message for collect the URLs mentioned above. You may find the message via the URL https://community.office365.com/en-us/user/conversations.

Moreover, I found that we can use the URL https://domain.sharepoint.com/sites/abc/libraryname/xxx.pdf to open a PDF file online with Firefox, you may try adding this URL to your custom UI and then check the outcome.

Best regards,

Tim