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PDF Annotation

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Hi, my company uses Acronis Access to allow users to have mobile file access on their tablets and phones.  My Galaxy Note 10.1 Android tablet is currently on Access version 3.2.15.104.  I'm trying to find a way to easily annotate PDFs in my program of choice (iAnnotate or Xodo for example), but am not having much success.

I've setup a sync folder to 2-way sync the files on my tablet with my company's server and would like to be able to open the PDF file on my tablet, take notes on the PDF using Xodo, then save the annotations into Access which will then sync the annotated PDF with my company's server.  When I've used the "view in" selection to open a PDF from the sync folder into Xodo (and a couple other apps I've tried, iAnnotate, Adobe reader, ezPDF Reader) it basically saves it as a new file outside of Access.  So I'd need to find a way to import this file back into Access, and overwrite the old one which defeats the purpose of Access....might as well just transfer the file back and forth via USB outside of Access.  The built-in SmartOffice PDF annotation tool does not work well at all with the active stylus on my Note 10.1, so I'm really hoping there's a better way to use another app to make these annotations.  Thx, Greg

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Greg,

Unfortunately, the multi-step workflow you've described is the only solution at this time if you're wanting to annotate PDFs outside our application. We have a number of features scheduled for the very near future that will ease this pain:

  1. Implementation of a new PDF annotation library. We recognize the limitations of using SmartOffice as a PDF annotation tool and will be replacing it completely for this task. The new library we'll be using is very feature-rich and on par with what you can find in our iOS application.
  2. Implementation of the Android Storage Framework. This would allow external applications direct, but secured access into our application's storage. Given the new PDF tool mentioned above, you won't need this for your future workflow, but I felt I'd mention it anyway in case you have other external applications you prefer working on your files with.

Michael Collins
Product Manager, Acronis Mobility

Thanks for the quick reply Mike.  I'll be looking forward to those new features.  Hopefully the PDF editor you select works well with an active stylus/active digitizer as I don't think iOS products offer this functionality, but I'm glad you're leaving the option open for us to choose our own editor if we like another one better.

Is there a way to get notified when the new features are rolled in?

Greg,

I've sent you a PM with more information.

Michael Collins
Product Manager, Acronis Mobility