File attachment fields can show the attached files in forms and reports, but only a few file types are accepted (jpeg and such). Is there a way around this so that PDF attachments can be shown either directly in the form, or as a pop up window (I believe that is called an Iframe ?) after clicking on some button for that purpose?I now have that sort of working through a Chrome extension, which opens the PDF in another tab, but it's slow and cumbersome and has some unwanted side effects.

We need the same thing. It would be awesome if there were a way to preview the file instead of downloading upon clicking, much like in gmail? Any way to do this?

Hi Berry & Matt, I've not heard of this being possible natively however it would be really useful, would suggest you add it as a feedback item and vote it up, the Quickbase team are always looking for good ideas to enhance Quickbase and add functionality. In case your unfamiliar with the feedback button you can find it on the My Apps page its an orange table half way down on the left. If you let me know when you have put it up ill add some votes to it myself as its something I too would like added.RegardsJack

We have an invoice management application in Quickbase where all the 3rd party invoices are stored as PDF files in Amazon S3 and this application is integrated with S3. In the application we created a button which contains a link to the S3 document. Clicking this button will open the document in a separate window.

Well, we had that using dropbox but it was a nuisance, especially when dropbox got issues with their shared links recently. The new Quickbase rates for storage are competitive and we want to move everything in quickbase now, just need a way to see the document like you see JPEG files and such. Am not keen for any third party stuff.

I was able to accomplish this with the Image Onload Technique:https://haversineconsulting.quickbase.com/db/bgcwm2m4g?a=dr&rid=320&rl=psrCreate a Formula - Text Field named Attachment Viewer (separate from the Image Onload field) in the desired table. Be sure to check the box allowing HTML and insert the following:var text URL = "https://docs.google.com/gview?url="; & URLRoot() & "up/" & Dbid() & "/a/r" & [Record ID#] & "/eFID/v0&embedded=True"; "<embed src=\"" & $URL & "\" height=\"650\" width=\"900\">"Replace FID with the field # of your attachment field.In the module.js page under the desired headings (Edit Record/Display Record) paste the following:$("#tdf_22").html($("#tdf_22").text().replace(/{{/g,"<").replace(/}}/g,">"));Where I have 22 you'll need to adjust this # to be the placement of the Attachment Viewer in your form. Start with testing the # to the left of the field in the form builder and decrease from there if necessary. Ex: In my case it's the 23rd object on the form, and I need to use 22 in the script page.I've attached a picture of the final result.

How to display PDF in file attachment fields

QuickBaseCoachD
Qrew Captain
7 years ago
What are you trying to do - just show a thumbnail?
JeffKelly1
Qrew Member
7 years ago
Yes, that's right.
QuickBaseCoachD
Qrew Captain
7 years ago
Try this as a formula Rich text field type but

I have a few different formuals on file, try this one. Replace the 6 with the fid holding the file attachment. Play with the width to get the size you want. You can also instead specify the height, but I suggest not specifying both as the image will get skewed.

"<img src=" & URLRoot() & "up/" & Dbid () & "/a/r" & [Record ID#] & "/e6/v0' width='300' >"
CarlosCarlos
Qrew Assistant Captain
7 years ago
Did anyone manage to get the PDF's to display again?
JeffKelly1
Qrew Member
7 years ago
Thanks for the new formula but it does not work for PDFs which is why I was trying to use the google viewer as Ryan suggested.
MarkGoodwin
Qrew Member
7 years ago
Hi guys,
I�m currently evaluating whether to use Quick Base to deliver a business solution and the ability to view PDFs is a must-have feature.

I managed to get the file attachment to view if it is an jpg with a rich text field containing:

"<img max-width=\"32px\" max-height=\"100px\" src=\"" & URLRoot() & "up/" & Dbid () & "/a/r" & [Record ID#] & "/e46/v0\" />"

And these variables :

/iol &rand='+new Date().getTime())};">

iol <img qbu='module' src='/i/clear2x2.gif' onload="javascript:if(typeof QBU=='undefined'){QBU={};$.getScript(gReqAppDBID+'?a=dbpage&pagename=

However, when I attached a PDF and use a second text field with

var text URL = "https://docs.google.com/gview?url="; & URLRoot() & "up/" & Dbid () & "/a/r" & [Record ID#] & "/e46/v0&embedded=true";

"<embed src=\"" & $URL & "\" height=\"650\" width=\"900\">"

It just renders to this on the page!!!

<embed src="https://docs.google.com/gview?url=https://msip.quickbase.com/up/bnfd9ydpg/a/r5/e46/v0&embedded=t...; height="650" width="900">

Also, if I copy this url into a browser it just renders HTML.

Can anyone help?
- ChadBrandmire
  Qrew Assistant Captain
  7 years ago
  Are the file attachment field properties set to allow open access?
- MarkGoodwin
  Qrew Member
  7 years ago
  Thanks - I set allow open access to true and the https://docs.google.com/gview?url=https://msip.quickbase.com/up/bnfd9ydpg/a/r5/e46/v0&embedded=t... worked fine.
  However, for this solution the attachment needs to be private.
  So, I think my problem is that the script for the "<embed" is being rendered to text on the page rather than being treated as a script.
- ChadBrandmire
  Qrew Assistant Captain
  7 years ago
  The problem you're having is that this solution relies on using google docs, which is why you need to allow access outside of quickbase.
  If you can find a way to use a document viewer internally with your app that would solve your privacy problem. Unfortunately outside of finding a third party app I don't know of a way to do that
  If you figure out a way, please share
WesMcAda1
Qrew Member
6 years ago
I would like QuickBase to be able to display embedded PDFs from my network. I do not know if this is possible.

Side note: Formula - URL field can open files into Chrome, e.g.: "C:\\\\Users\\wesmc\\Desktop\\"&"Empower.pdf"

Using the Magic Buttons app, I have a PDF (file attachment) displaying embedded in a form. I am trying to take it a step further by displaying a file from a hyperlink (to the file on my local network).

Left: Attachment; Right: Hyperlink

I am not sure if this is possible since the file is not actually in QuickBase. The error in the iframe looks like what you get when trying to display the PDF without checking the box "Allow open access" in the Field Properties for the file attachment.

This makes me wonder if there might be a way around this.

Any ideas about whether this is feasible would be appreciated.

Thanks!
- RyanPflederer2
  Qrew Trainee
  6 years ago
  Haven't tested it, but my initial thought is that the field is not publicly available. So in order to do that you'd need to have a role for 'Everyone on the Internet', with view access of that field.
  As a caveat though, if you're linking to a local resource only those with access to the resource will see the file.
- WesMcAda1
  Qrew Member
  6 years ago
  Thanks for the response. I just tried EOTI, but I did not make any progress that I can see. Also, thanks for addressing the limitation of access.
- WesMcAda1
  Qrew Member
  6 years ago
  Another thought I had is if it would be possible to use a rich text field to display a button that - when clicked - actually attaches a file to a record (from the established location), redirect/refresh to the record, and then display.
  
  Basically, this would be a step between my URL field to the PDF on my network and the file attachment field that is displaying as needed.
  - ZachShumate
    Qrew Trainee
    4 years ago
    Does anyone have the final solution here to get this to work? I was not able to find this in the magic buttons application and cannot get the formulas listed to work either.
    
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    Zach Shumate
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How to display PDF in file attachment fields