How to Option Bookmark Destinations

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PHK
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How to Option Bookmark Destinations

Post by PHK »

I know I have read this somewhere in the Forum but I cannot remember where or how, so forgive me for dredging up something I should know (but don't).

When I create a Bookmark by selecting page text, I would prefer that the action associated with that Bookmark would be to show in the app window exactly the same as what was in the window when I created the Bookmark. As I am configured now, the action puts that selected text in the upper left corner of the window, not 'where I was.' How should I be configured to get what I want?
All best,

FringePhil
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rakunavi
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Re: How to Option Bookmark Destinations

Post by rakunavi »

Hello PHK,

The settings related to the actions you want may be found in the Options menu in the Bookmarks pane.

  • Enable "Use Selected Text as Title" option
  • Enable "Add Destinaion" option
  • Disable "Use Inherited Zoom" option
  • Disable "Use Selected Region as Destination" option
  • figure.png
Best regards,
rakunavi
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Re: How to Option Bookmark Destinations

Post by PHK »

Thank you, Ravunavi, for taking the time to consider my question. Sadly, that does not work for me. The selected text still shows as the top line in the app window, not the page view that was in my window when I selected that text.
All best,

FringePhil
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rakunavi
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Re: How to Option Bookmark Destinations

Post by rakunavi »

Hello PHK, thank you for checking. Sorry for the off-target comment.

Another possibility is that if you have specified a named destination as the bookmark action, you will need to change that option setting.

  • Disable "Use Inherited Zoom" option
  • Disable "Use Selected Region as Destination" option
  • figure.png
I can't think of any other possible causes, so I will also keep an eye on this topic with interest.
Hope things work out soon!

Best regards,
rakunavi
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Re: How to Option Bookmark Destinations

Post by PHK »

Thanks, but that's not it, either.
All best,

FringePhil
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Daniel - PDF-XChange
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Re: How to Option Bookmark Destinations

Post by Daniel - PDF-XChange »

Hello, PHK

I vaguely recall there was a JavaScript that could be used to change a hidden setting which impacted the location of the link target (or something similar)... but it was at least 5 years ago when I last heard of it, and I cannot seem to find a copy of it (I also do not know if it would even still work with the modern rendition of Bookmarks).

I have reached out to the Dev team to ask if they still have a copy/legend of the options available there.

In the meantime, if you bind the "Set destination" button to a hotkey, you can use that to quickly adjust the target location of a bookmark after you have created it:
image.png
Kind regards,
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Re: How to Option Bookmark Destinations

Post by PHK »

Daniel - PDF-XChange wrote: Tue Aug 12, 2025 4:02 pm ...
In the meantime, if you bind the "Set destination" button to a hotkey, you can use that to quickly adjust the target location of a bookmark after you have created it:
...
Yeah, yeah, I've had "Q" as my hotkey for that for years. But that returns the same result.
All best,

FringePhil
Willy Van Nuffel
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Re: How to Option Bookmark Destinations

Post by Willy Van Nuffel »

Hello all,

The "Use Current Page" setting seems to work for me (build 397).
°
PDF-XChange Editor - Bookmark - Create Options.png
°
Does it for you ?

Kind regards.
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PHK
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Re: How to Option Bookmark Destinations

Post by PHK »

Willy Van Nuffel wrote: Tue Aug 12, 2025 4:56 pm Hello all,

The "Use Current Page" setting seems to work for me (build 397).
°
PDF-XChange Editor - Bookmark - Create Options.png
°
Does it for you ?

Kind regards.
Not exactly, Willy, but thanks for looking into this.

Yes, it does bring up the current page but with the selected text at the top of the window. What I am trying to achieve is for the working app window to show exactly what was in the app window when I create the Bookmark. As it is now, it adjusts the window as above.
All best,

FringePhil
Willy Van Nuffel
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Re: How to Option Bookmark Destinations

Post by Willy Van Nuffel »

Thanks for your reaction @FringePhil.

I have to say that on my side, the window shows exactly like it was during the creation of the bookmark.
The selected text does not appear at the top of the window.

I suppose something else must be causing the problem.
I will investigate a little bit further to see if I can reproduce it.

Kind regards.

Question: when you go into the editing of the bookmark, do you see the correct selected area in the preview window at the left ?
I mean, the window exactly as it was in the app window when you created the bookmark.

Edit:
I have created a test-PDF with one bookmark "Willy Van Nuffel" that should show up like in the preview that you see in the attached print screen.
How to Option Bookmark Destinations - PDF XChange Forum.pdf
How to Option Bookmark Destinations - PDF XChange Forum.png
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Willy Van Nuffel
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Re: How to Option Bookmark Destinations

Post by Willy Van Nuffel »

The chance is small, but maybe the check-box at "Forbid the change of the current Zoom factor ..." has been turned on ?
°
PDF-XChange Editor - Preferences - Page Display.png
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Re: How to Option Bookmark Destinations

Post by Daniel - PDF-XChange »

Hello, All,

It seems that the Dev team has spotted a bug in this system (both context menu, and shortcut keys are ignoring the bookmark creation options, and we do not yet know why...). The team is investigating that, and hopefully we will have a fix in the new future.

If you create the bookmark by clicking on the "New Bookmark..." button in the bookmarks pane, it should then be created correctly, and respecting the settings as Rakunavi mentioned at first.

Kind regards,
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Willy Van Nuffel
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Re: How to Option Bookmark Destinations

Post by Willy Van Nuffel »

Thanks Daniel for this crucial information.

Now, we know the reason why the bookmark creation is not (always) working like expected.

Kind regards.
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PHK
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Re: How to Option Bookmark Destinations

Post by PHK »

Daniel - PDF-XChange wrote: Tue Aug 12, 2025 7:11 pm Hello, All,

It seems that the Dev team has spotted a bug in this system (both context menu, and shortcut keys are ignoring the bookmark creation options, and we do not yet know why...). The team is investigating that, and hopefully we will have a fix in the new future.

If you create the bookmark by clicking on the "New Bookmark..." button in the bookmarks pane, it should then be created correctly, and respecting the settings as Rakunavi mentioned at first.

Kind regards,
Many thanks, Daniel. I am immensely relieved that now I am able to dispute my wife's allegations that I am losing my mind!

BTW, I seem to remember it working the way I want some versions back but I would not swear to that.
All best,

FringePhil
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rakunavi
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Re: How to Option Bookmark Destinations

Post by rakunavi »

Hello all,

There are two commands for adding bookmarks: the New Bookmark command on the bookmark pane toolbar and the Add Bookmark command in the context menu.

  • New Bookmark command
    ID: cmd.bookmarksView.new
    Shortcut key: Insert
    Tooltip: Creates a new bookmark after the current selection. If no bookmark is selected, a new one will be created at the end of the list.
    • Add Bookmark command
      ID: cmd.addBookmark
      Shortcut key: Ctrl+Shift+B
      Tooltip: Create a new bookmark that points to the current page.
    I had assumed that the New Bookmark command (ID: cmd.bookmarksView.new), which includes “View” in its command ID, prioritizes the specific position currently displayed in PageView based on Options settings, while the Add Bookmark command, which includes “current page” in its description, adds bookmarks on a per-page basis regardless of Options settings. We discussed this issue in a previous topic, but if this is a bug, it means that the functions of the two commands will become more similar.

    By the way, the New Bookmark command (ID: cmd.bookmarksView.new) has the Insert key assigned as a shortcut key, but for some reason, this shortcut key does not work in my environment. Even when I change the assignment to another key, it does not work. It may be specific to my environment, but does the shortcut key for the New Bookmark command work correctly in everyone else's environment?

    Best regards,
    rakunavi
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    Daniel - PDF-XChange
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    Re: How to Option Bookmark Destinations

    Post by Daniel - PDF-XChange »

    Hello, rakunavi

    That is a good observation, I will mention that in our discussion.

    As for the insert key, this is a context sensitive action, and needs to be used while the bookmarks pane is in focus specifically, Insert will n not work for creating a bookmark while the document or any other panes are the focused item.

    Kind regards,
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    Re: How to Option Bookmark Destinations

    Post by rakunavi »

    Hello Daniel, thank you for your advice.

    I was a little confused, but your explanation cleared everything up.

    Best regards,
    rakunavi
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    How to Option Bookmark Destinations

    Post by Daniel - PDF-XChange »

    :)
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