[SOLVED] Problem displaying word document attachment

[gallimore]

Zimbra 5.0.16 FOSS
Microsoft Word 2003
Internet Explorer

When using the advanced web client, we have a problem when opening an attached word document. The email has the usual links for an attachment (the name of the document and the option to download).

When the name of the document is clicked, the content is displayed in an internet explorer window (and obviously not formatted correctly).

When the "download" option is clicked, the "Do you want to open or download this file" dialog is displayed and using "Open" correctly starts word.

Is this a bug in Zimbra or a problem with Internet Explorer?

[dalmate]

No. Zimbra has an engine to convert the attachments into HTML format. With that, you can read your attachments in your browser, not need to have any programs (when you click to document link) and you can download your attachment when you click to download

[raj]

@dalmate: view document as HTML is NE (paid version) function.
the orignal poster is using FOSS version.

@gallimore: looks like file association issue for IE + windows for your. in real life when you press on the link IE should launch WORD to open the attached document.

please check this from some other windows desktop.

Raj

[gallimore]

Thanks for the suggestion. This behaviour is present on a number of systems. I have followed the microsoft support documents

How to configure Internet Explorer to open Office documents in the appropriate Office program instead of in Internet Explorer

A new window opens when you try to view a 2007 Microsoft Office program document in Windows Internet Explorer 7 or Internet Explorer 8

Modifying the file associations to not allow opening in same window has no effect.

We also use liferay but this always prompts to either open or download.

I notice the end of the document url (shown below) has additional arguments which I presume is what is allowing direct access (as opposed to open/download dialog box.

..../....).doc?auth=co&loc=en_GB&id=31317&part=2

I will investigate other documents and in the meantime suggest users use the download link.

[raj]

http://mail.domain.com/service/home/...d=36631&part=2

for me the word document has the above link..

The behaviour i see is when i click on the attachment document link..i get "windows" dialog box to "open save or cancel" when i hit "open"..MS word is launched and the document is opned in it.

Raj

[gallimore]

What version of IE are you using?

[raj]

IE : 7.06
OS: Vista Home Premium

[gallimore]

I appear to have finally resolved this issue. The problem appears to be related to the size of the attachment filename. If the name is 83 characters or less, opening the file behaves as expected (opens using word). If the file name is 84 characters or longer, the file is opened in a browser window and displayed as text.

[phoenix]

Originally Posted by gallimore

I appear to have finally resolved this issue. The problem appears to be related to the size of the attachment filename. If the name is 83 characters or less, opening the file behaves as expected (opens using word). If the file name is 84 characters or longer, the file is opened in a browser window and displayed as text.

Could you please file a bug report and add the details to this thread?

[gallimore]

OK Bug 42037 filed.

I am unable to test this on the latest build/version. I am using 5.0.16

I will be moving into the test upgrade phase of a move to version 6 sometime in the next month.

PaulG