Problem with jump to page annotations command with non-zotero pdf readers

AlbertoM1
Zotero beta 7.1
Adobe acrobat DC v2020 2022 2023 2025

When I select an annotation on a pdf attached to an item, if you are have setted in preferences an adobe pdf reader/acrobat of any version as pdf reader the command doesnt jump to that annotation page but it just open the pdf.
No problem with zotero pdf reader.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Start Zotero.
2. In My Library, click on the arrow to the left of an item to expand
3. click on the arrow to the left of a pdf attached to expand annotations
4. Double Click the annotations
  • martynas_b
    It seems there isn't a consistent way to open a specific page in external PDF viewers.
  • AlbertoM1
    This is a great limitation of Zotero.
    Lets wait for developers answer here. I need to understand if this function technically difficult to introduce or not, and why
  • martynas_b
    I mean, this isn't specific to Zotero. There's no universal way to open a specific page in a PDF file from the command line either. If you know of software that can do this reliably, let us know.
  • adamsmith
    (also, everyone who has answered you in your threads is a developer)
  • AlbertoM1
    Ah, you are developer? Ok perfect sorry.
    So official developers answer is that it is and it will not possible even in the future to have the jump to page function on zotero using adobe pdf reader since this is intrinsecally impossibile ?
    Can you please explain me why, in simple terms? I have not understood your reply. Do you mean that command line cannot be set to give you choice to open pdf pages with adobe or zotero reader? If so, can you explain me how to modify command line to work only with adobe?
  • adamsmith
    Zotero would need to have a way to send a command to an external PDF reader that specifies "open the PDF at this location".
    As far as Zotero devs know, there is no such command. It's possible that individual PDF readers, including Acrobat, have implemented a way of doing this, but this would need to work at a fairly universal way across tools, ideally specified in the PDF standard to be implemented in Zotero.

    (This will likely be my only post on this topic; it's the best explanation I can provide)


  • AlbertoM1
    Understood, thanks.
    What about a double command line?
    1- open pdf with adobe
    2- when opened, click on the embedded annotation desired in Adobe comment menu

    In adobe (every version) by doing step 2 it jumps to the page of the annotation

    Lets remember that Adobe is the best existing pdf reader since ages so many users will benefit from this possibility to still use it in zotero instead of being forced to use zotero pdf reader.
  • adamsmith
    There is no such thing as a double or two-step command in app to app communication.
  • dstillman
    We have custom code to open to a specific page in the readers where we're aware of a method to do so. That includes Acrobat on Windows. It looks like this just isn't working in the beta. We'll fix.
  • AlbertoM1
    Thanks!!!!!! Great!!
Sign In or Register to comment.