Attachments Won't Open

Article Last Updated

This article applies to:

If attachments (resources) won't open in your published output, it's likely you're encountering one or more of the following security restrictions:

Local security restrictions

Test your published content in its final destination. If you view published content on your local computer, you'll encounter security restrictions that may cause various features to fail. To avoid these restrictions, view your content in the environment for which it was published:

  • Web: Upload your content to a web server and view the content with a valid https address.
  • LMS: Upload your content to your LMS, then log in as an end-user and view the course.
  • Offline (Storyline 3 only): If you'll be distributing your content offline, publish for CD.

Pop-ups are blocked

Some modern web browsers (or their plugins) automatically block pop-ups. These pop-up blockers can also prevent attachments from opening. You may need to turn off your pop-up blockers or adjust their settings to allow pop-ups from specific websites. For example, here's how to manage the pop-up blocker in Google Chrome.

Web browser security

If attachments still won't open, reset your web browser settings to their defaults. Here's how it's done in Microsoft Edge:

  1. Open Microsoft Edge.
  2. Click the Settings and More icon (three horizontal dots) in the upper-right corner
  3. Select the Reset settings tab on the left panel.
  4. Click the Restore settings to their default values button.
  5. Chose Reset when prompted.

Enhanced security in Windows 10 and later can affect CD presentations (Storyline 3 only)

If you published for CD and are using Windows 8 or later, you may be encountering enhanced security in these operating systems, which can prevent attachments from opening. To avoid this enhanced security, do either of the following:

  • Right-click the launch file for your published course and select Run as administrator.
  • Turn off User Account Control (UAC): Windows 10 and later

File naming conventions

When naming attachments (resources), avoid using special characters, accents, and spaces. Use only letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens.