Links from Planner (Tasks von Planner) - how to open links from tasks in desktop Apps

StevenC365 

I manage a SharePoint site for our department and use a Planner tasks plan for document management (review, collab, edits, approve, signatures). Users are going to SPO, not Teams to work on their assigned tasks.

I attach Word and .pdf files to the tasks to keep everyone using the same document for edits and yes, opening the attachment from the task form always opens it in Edge. I've searched for a configuration or some other trick to open attachment in the desktop versions of Word and Acrobat Reader. Is there really nothing to be done?

Also, I have configured SPO to open files stored in a document library on our sit, in their respective desktop applications which work for .docx, .xlsx, .ppt, etc. There is also the option to right click on these types of files and choose Open in app. This is great, even if it doesn't work the same way in Task attachments.

But .pdf files do not open in Acrobat Reader or give you the option in the right click menu. The issue is that these .pdf files are needing Adobe Digital signatures and users must open the file in the browser, download it, open it in Reader, add their signatures, save the file then upload the file back into SPO which is a tedious 7 steps process. I wanted to use Adobe Sign with a Power Automate connector which allows users to sign the document from within Edge. Trouble is that our IT people tell me that they can't grant licenses for Adobe Sign in the "Citizen Development" space, whatever that is.

Is there any way at all to add digital signatures to .pdf documents opened in the browser?

So sorry for the lengthy question but I wanted you to have an idea of the environment and set up. Thank you for your time!

P Bowen