Confluence preview of PDF files shows error 'Please wait... If this message is not eventually replaced by the proper contents of the document'
Platform Notice: Data Center Only - This article only applies to Atlassian products on the Data Center platform.
Note that this KB was created for the Data Center version of the product. Data Center KBs for non-Data-Center-specific features may also work for Server versions of the product, however they have not been tested. Support for Server* products ended on February 15th 2024. If you are running a Server product, you can visit the Atlassian Server end of support announcement to review your migration options.
*Except Fisheye and Crucible
Summary
Confluence preview of PDF files show 'Please wait... If this message is not eventually replaced by the proper contents of the document'
Cause
Certain PDF files (dynamic XFA forms) created in Adobe LiveCycle can only be opened in Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat. When you try to open these files in an alternative PDF viewer, then you will see this error message.
See Display issues for XFA-based PDF forms and policy-protected documents from Adobe for more information
Workaround
Download the PDF attachment and open in Adobe Reader/Acrobat
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