can't open aspx file on ipad

[paldo]

This issue was already discuss on the net, but I can't find the appropriate solution. My company publish all documents with .aspx endings. When I open a document on a macbook pro, all files are downloaded as .../efbShowDoc.pdf.aspx and I can read it, but nothing happens on the ipad. Is there a good application that can do that?

I appreciate your help.

[NaOH]

Is there a link you can share?

[paldo]

I'm sorry, I'm not allowed ! I know, this makes it difficult.

[NaOH]

I understand. It's possible one of the alternative iOS browsers might work. I have iCab Mobile which is pretty good at handling files and it offers download functionality, so maybe that would mean it saves the files as PDFs (or whatever) and they can then be opened/viewed as you would expect. It's inexpensive, only US $2 if you want to give it a try.

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/M...308111628&mt=8

[paldo]

Oh yes, I like iCab Mobile too, but unfortunately no way to open the files.

Our company homepage is created with Microsoft ActiveX-controls program and the documents that we can download are created with ASP.NET application.

[paldo]

I maybe need an ipad application that when I load the aspx file it adds the extension .pdf and will open it as pdf file. This solution seams to work on OS X. Any ideas?

[NaOH]

I just did a test with iCab Mobile, and I think you can make it work for you. Once you download a file with iCab, in the iCab downloads window you can rename files. Here's how:

1. Show the downloads window by pressing the toolbar button that looks like a circle with an arrow in it.
2. Press the Edit button.
3. Tap the selection circle to the left of a file so it shows a checkmark.
4. Tap the button which has a square with letters A and B in it. You'll then see a rename dialog, and removing the .aspx extension should allow you to view the downloaded file as a PDF.

[paldo]

Dear Naoh
on my ipad the files are not downloaded. If I stay on the link a get the following message : javascript:_doPostBack('grdDocs?,'view$1').

No way to have a download.

[NaOH]

In iCab Mobile, if I tap and hold on a link, one of the buttons is Download File. So I'm thinking if there's a link to a file you want, that's the link you'd tap and hold on.

Note: You may need to poke around in the menu of buttons when holding on a link because the listings are customizable and I can't say for certain where that option is in the default setup.

Once downloaded, the instructions I gave earlier should be usable.

[NaOH]

paldo, you may need to have a look in your email spam folder for the message I sent you.

[NaOH]

I've got a workaround for the page loading, and once that's in place it's easy to save files. The key is to use Settings > Safari to set the option for Block Pop-Ups to the Off position.

Once that's done, navigate to a page with a PDF. You'll be prompted that the site is trying open a pop-up window. Tap the Allow button. Once the file loads, tapping the page briefly will show an Open In... button and, if you have the free iBooks app, an Open In iBooks button.

Tapping Open In iBooks will automatically save the file to that app. If you tap the Open In... button, you'll see all the apps you have that can read PDFs. Notable apps I have are ShareReader and PDF Expert (two document-focused apps), and Dropbox and iBooks (again).

If you don't have any PDF-viewing apps, I'd recommend iBooks. In addition to being free, you can create categories for sorting files if you have such a need. It also allows you to add bookmarks within documents. If being able to highlight portions of documents or make notes in documents would be helpful, an app like PDF Expert may be worth buying. An alternative I haven't used is GoodReader. Many people seem to like it.

PDF Expert: https://itunes.apple.com/app/pdf-exp...393316844?mt=8

GoodReader: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/M...t?id=289191291

One other consideration is that you indirectly suggested that privacy is a concern since you weren't able to share a link. That indicates some of this information is sensitive. There are a few things I would recommend in that context.

Passcode: You may want to require a passcode to unlock the iPad. This can be done in Settings > General > Passcode Lock. For a longer passcode—more security, but greater inconvenience every time you unlock the iPad—set Simple Passcode to Off. This allows you to set a passcode longer than four characters. With or without that enabled, tap Turn Passcode On and you'll be prompted to create and confirm your passcode.

Sort of related and also in Settings > General, you may want to use the shortest time limit for how quickly the device locks itself. Your options are shown in the Auto-Lock section.

Find My iPhone: In the event your device is lost or stolen, this app can help you recover it or, if necessary, remotely erase it. It's free from Apple if you haven't already installed it. Once installed, be sure to open it and configure its options.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/find...376101648?mt=8

Encrypted Backups: If you back up your iPad to a Mac or PC through iTunes (instead of iCloud), you may want to enable encrypted backups. To do this, connect your iPad to your computer. If necessary, open iTunes, then select your iPad. In the Summary section, check the box for encrypted backups. If backups are handled through iCloud, this Apple support document indicates documents will be encrypted when in transit and in storage on the server.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4865

[NaOH]

I gave links to a bunch of apps, but I should have also given one for the iBooks app.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibooks/id364709193?mt=8

[paldo]

Great job Noah. In fact my pop-up blocker was on on. Switching to off enabled me to open aspx files!
Thanks for all the suggestions concerning how to save a pdf document on ipad.

[paldo]

I installed ibooks and try to open my aspx document with it in order to save it, but it didn't work. I wonder why !

I tried with iCabMobile, and find the document in the download folder. I renamed the document by adding the ending .pdf. The document is now saved in iCabMobile.

[paldo]

My next step was to install a folder where I can store all my pdf documents for easy access. So I installed dropbox apps. But dropbox save my aspx document as it is (.aspx)
and I can't open it. I couldn't find a function in dropbox that enable me to add the ending .pdf

Any suggestions?

[NaOH]

If you have a file you downloaded and re-named in iCab Mobile, tap on it in the iCab Downloads window and you'll see an option to Upload To Dropbox. Of course, you will need to have linked iCab Mobile to Dropbox.

That can be done using the Settings within the iCab app. Tap the icon that looks like a gear (for me, it's just below the web search field). In the list on the left, find Dropbox, tap it, then enter your account information.

And going back to the security considerations I mentioned before, if you're using Dropbox, you may want to require a passcode for using that app. In the Dropbox app, tap the gear icon, select Passcode Lock, then turn it on and set the related options you have there. I do like the Erase Data option since it only affects the data on the device, not what's in your account when accessed by other means (on a Mac, through the web, etc.).

As for getting a .pdf.aspx file into iBooks (if you still want that), you have two options. In Safari, the option to open the file in iBooks will be present after the document has loaded—be certain it's completely loaded if a file is large—and you have tapped on the document to show the Open In iBooks button.

You can also move a file from the iCab Mobile Downloads window to iBooks. Tap on a document in the Downloads window, select Open In External App, then select iBooks. You could also move a file from iCab Mobile to Dropbox this way.

[hayne]

As a longer term solution, you might suggest to your company's web team that they should change things so that documents are delivered with the correct filename suffix. They should also be sending these documents with the correct MIME type to indicate that they are PDF docs - see: http://www.feedforall.com/mime-types.htm

[paldo]

Quote: Originally Posted by NaOH If you have a file you downloaded and re-named in iCab Mobile, tap on it in the iCab Downloads window and you'll see an option to Upload To Dropbox. Of course, you will need to have linked iCab Mobile to Dropbox.

I discover that in the icab Mobile download manager I can create a folder and store my docs there.

Quote: Originally Posted by NaOH As for getting a .pdf.aspx file into iBooks (if you still want that), you have two options. In Safari, the option to open the file in iBooks will be present after the document has loaded—be certain it's completely loaded if a file is large—and you have tapped on the document to show the Open In iBooks button.

No, it doesn't work with Safari. The file that I download with Safari is still a .aspx file. I should first rename the file to aspx.pdf, like I can do with iCabMobile, and then send it to ibooks or dropbox. This two apps can't open a .aspx file.
It would be helpful if Safari implements a feature to rename downloaded files like iCabMobile has.

So iCabMobile is the only apps that can do the job.

[paldo]

Bingo ! I did the last update iOS 6.0.1 and it works. I can download aspx files and store them in ibooks.

Many thanks to NaOH

In conclusion: pop up blocker off and iOS 6.0.1

[hayne]

Quote: Originally Posted by paldo Bingo ! I did the last update iOS 6.0.1 and it works.

For future reference (future readers):
It is always recommended to update to the latest OS or app version before posting about a problem.
I note that 6.01 came out 2 months ago.