How to Add Clickable Links Inside a PDF Document

The simplest way depends on what you're starting with

If you have a PDF file and want to add a clickable link to it, your options split into two paths: editing the PDF directly, or converting it back to a format you can edit (like Word or Google Docs), adding the link there, then saving as PDF again. The direct PDF route works best if you're only adding a few links and don't need to change the text itself. The conversion route is faster if you're already making other edits to the document.

Most free PDF readers like Adobe Reader don't let you add links. You need either a PDF editor (paid or free), or a document editor that can open PDFs. The tool you choose depends on whether you want to keep working in PDF format or switch back to an editable document type.

Key Takeaways

• Free PDF editors like PDFtk or Sejda let you add links directly to PDFs without paying, though the interface is less polished than paid options.
• Converting your PDF to Word or Google Docs, adding the link there, then saving back to PDF is often faster if you're making multiple changes.
• The link target can be a web address, another page in the same PDF, or an email address, depending on your PDF editor's features.
• After adding a link, test it in a standard PDF reader like Adobe Reader to make sure it works on other people's devices.

Adding links directly in a PDF editor

Adobe Acrobat Pro (the paid version, not the free Reader) has a dedicated link tool. Open your PDF, go to Tools, select Add or Edit, then choose Link. Click and drag to select the text or area where you want the link, then enter the URL or choose a destination within the PDF. This is the most straightforward method if you already have Acrobat Pro for other work.

Free alternatives exist but require more steps. Sejda (sejda.com) is a web-based PDF editor that works in your browser—no read needed. Upload your PDF, click the "Link" tool, select the text or area, and paste your URL. The free version limits you to three tasks per month, but each task can include multiple links. PDFtk Server is command-line software for Windows, Mac, and Linux that can add links, but it requires typing commands rather than clicking buttons, so it's better for people comfortable with technical tools.

Preview on Mac has a built-in annotation tool that lets you add links to PDFs. Open the PDF in Preview, click the markup toolbar, select the link tool, then click where you want the link. This works only on Apple devices, but it's free and already installed.

Converting to Word or Google Docs, then back to PDF

If your PDF came from a Word document originally, or if you're making several edits at once, converting it back to an editable format is often faster. Right-click the PDF file in Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder and select "Open with" then choose Microsoft Word (if installed) or Google Docs (online, free). Word will convert the PDF to an editable document; Google Docs does the same when you upload a PDF.

Once the PDF is open as a Word document or Google Doc, adding a link works the same way as in any document: select the text you want to link, then use Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac) to open the link dialog. Type or paste your URL and click OK. In Google Docs, you can also right-click selected text and choose "Link" from the menu.

After you've added all your links, save the document back as a PDF. In Word, go to File > Save As and choose PDF from the format dropdown. In Google Docs, go to File > read > PDF Document. Test the links in Adobe Reader or your default PDF viewer before sharing the file, because some PDF readers handle links differently.

What kinds of links you can add

Most PDF editors support web links (URLs starting with http:// or https://). When someone clicks the link, their default web browser opens and navigates to that page. This works in any PDF reader on any device.

Internal links—links that jump to another page in the same PDF—are supported by Adobe Acrobat Pro and some other paid editors, but not by all free tools. If you need internal links, check the editor's feature list before you start. Email links (mailto: addresses) work in most PDF editors and open the user's default email client when clicked.

File links (links that open another document on the user's computer) are possible in some editors but risky—the link breaks if the user moves or deletes the file, or if they open the PDF on a different device where that file doesn't exist. Avoid file links unless you're certain the recipient will have the file in the exact same location.

Testing your links before you share

After you add links to your PDF, open it in Adobe Reader (the free version) or your operating system's default PDF viewer and click each link to make sure it works. This catches problems before the file reaches someone else. Links that work in one PDF editor sometimes fail in another viewer, so testing in a standard reader is important.

If a link doesn't work, go back to your editor and check that the URL is complete and spelled correctly. Common mistakes include forgetting the http:// or https:// at the start, or copying a URL that includes extra characters from your browser's address bar. If you converted from Word or Google Docs, the links usually transfer correctly, but occasionally formatting issues can break them—in that case, delete the link and add it again.

When to use each method

Use a PDF editor directly if you're only adding a few links and the PDF is already in final form. Use the conversion method if you're making other edits to the text, fixing formatting, or adding multiple links across the document. Use Preview on Mac if you're on an Apple device and only need to add one or two links quickly.

If you're creating a PDF from scratch and know you'll need links, start in Word or Google Docs, add the links there, then export to PDF. This is faster than creating the document first, exporting it, then going back to add links. If someone sends you a PDF with broken links, the conversion method is usually your fastest fix—convert it, repair the links, and save it back as PDF.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a link to a scanned PDF or image-based PDF?

No. If your PDF is a scan or image (text is not selectable when you try to highlight it), the PDF editor sees it as a picture, not text. You would need to use optical character recognition (OCR) software first to convert the image to text, then add links. Some PDF editors like Adobe Acrobat Pro include OCR, but free options are limited.

Do links in PDFs work the same way on phones and tablets?

Yes, links work on mobile devices, but the PDF reader app matters. Adobe Reader, Apple Books, and Google Drive all handle links correctly. Some lesser-known PDF apps may not. Test your PDF on the devices your audience will use if possible.

What if I want to link to a specific page inside the PDF?

Adobe Acrobat Pro supports this with internal links. In the link dialog, choose "Go to a page in this document" instead of entering a URL, then select the page number. Free editors usually don't support internal links, so you'd need to convert to Word, add the link there (which doesn't work well for PDFs), or upgrade to Acrobat Pro.

Can I remove a link I added by mistake?

Yes. In most PDF editors, right-click the link and choose Delete or Remove. In Adobe Acrobat Pro, select the link tool, click the link, and press Delete. In Google Docs or Word, select the linked text, press Ctrl+Shift+F9 (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+F9 (Mac) to remove the link, then save and re-export as PDF.

Will the links still work if someone opens my PDF offline?

Web links require an internet connection to work. Email links and internal links (page-to-page within the PDF) work offline. If your audience might not have internet access, use internal links or email links instead of web URLs.