Cannot Preview PDF attachments in Outlook Web Access

Anonymous
2018-04-18T14:37:52+00:00

We have Exchange on O365 and User desktops of Outlook 2016.  Some users have Outlook on their mobile phones also.

We can preview PDF files in Outlook emails on the Desktop Outlook and on mobile phone with outlook.

We cannot preview PDF files in Outlook on the web browser.  We can preview office files but PDF files display a blank grey page.  

We can download PDF files to onedrive and open and view them from onedrive.   

  1. Should we be able to preview PDF files in Outlook on the Web Browser?
  2. Can this be enabled to work?

Thank you!

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For home

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

43 answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2018-04-18T17:23:52+00:00

    Hi BuckyBear3819,

    Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community. However, PDF file type attachment can be previewed in Outlook Web App. See View and edit an attachment in Outlook Web App

    May I know which browser are you using to sign in to Outlook Web App? Please provide us with the detailed information including version about internet browser.

    Make sure that browser are latest updated and also Adobe Acrobat Reader the default program used to open PDF files.

    For your reference: Supported browsers for Outlook on the web for business

    Does this issue happen to specific or every pdf attachments?

    Please try to clear/reset the internet browser cache to check this issue. 

    Have tried to check this issue via using different browser? If not, please try to use different browser (e.g. IE, Firefox or Chrome browser) or InPrivate/ Incognito browse window to see whether it is a specific browser side issue.

    Best regards,

    Shyamal

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2018-04-19T19:45:24+00:00

    Shyamal,

    I've tried it on Chrome, IE and Edge and all fail on my Win 10 laptop.

    Chrome 65.0.3325.181  opens a preview page but just spins an icon in the center.

    IE 11.309.16299.0 just displays a grey preview page.

    Edge 41.16299.248.0 displays a preview page saying "Couldn't open PDF.  Something is keeping this PDF from opening".  

    I do have Adobe reader DC 2018.011.20038 on the laptop as the default pdf app.  

    I hope that helps.  

    BuckyBear3819

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2018-04-20T10:17:28+00:00

    Hi BuckyBear3819,

    Thanks for your information.

    Based on my research, this kind of issue can be solved by changing the value in User Account Control Settings. Please open your control panel and search for User Account Control Setting. Then change the setting and check if this problem can be solved.

    Regards,

    Barry

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2018-04-20T17:56:14+00:00

    No luck on that solution.

    i tried adjusting the User Account Control and i also made sure the PDF file type defaults to Adobe and it still gives me the same failure to display the PDF doc.  

    I'm wondering if there is some policy that is preventing PDFs from opening in the browser.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2018-04-22T14:15:43+00:00

    Hi BuckyBear3819,

    May I know if Edge is your default browser or not? Based on my experience, lots of people will see the “Something's keeping this PDF from opening” error if the default browser is Edge. Try changing the default browser to another and check if it helps.

    Also, please copy the URL address and open the file by this URL in your Acrobat program as a temporarily workaround.

    Finally, we need the detailed version of your Windows 10 system. Your cooperation is highly appreciated.

    Regards,

    Barry

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments