How to Add Clickable Links Inside a PDF File

The simplest way depends on what program you already have

You can add a clickable link to a PDF in most document editors without buying new software. The steps change depending on whether you use Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or a free tool like LibreOffice. The method also depends on whether you're starting with a PDF or converting a document to PDF after adding the link.

If you already have a PDF and want to add a link to it, Adobe Acrobat (the paid version, not the free Reader) is the most straightforward choice. If you're building a document from scratch and plan to turn it into a PDF, it's usually faster to add the link in your word processor first, then export to PDF — the link travels with the file.

Key Takeaways

Adding a link in your word processor before converting to PDF is faster than editing the PDF afterward, and the link will work in the final file.
Adobe Acrobat (paid) lets you add links directly to an existing PDF using the Link tool, but the free Adobe Reader cannot edit PDFs.
Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and LibreOffice all let you insert links before export; use Insert > Link or Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac) to open the link dialog.
Free PDF editors like PDFtk or Sejda can add links, but they have limits on file size or number of edits per month.
Test your link after saving by opening the PDF in your reader and clicking it to confirm it opens the correct destination.

Adding a link in Word, Google Docs, or LibreOffice before you export

This is the fastest route if you're building a document from the start. Highlight the text you want to turn into a link, then press Ctrl+K on Windows or Cmd+K on Mac. A dialog box opens where you type or paste the web address (URL) you want the link to point to. Click OK or Insert, and the text turns blue and underlined. When you export the document to PDF, the link comes with it and works in the final file.

In Google Docs, you can also use the menu: highlight the text, click Insert, then Link. Type the URL in the box that appears and press Enter. In Microsoft Word, the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+K opens the Insert Hyperlink dialog. In LibreOffice Writer, Ctrl+K opens the Hyperlink dialog. All three programs preserve the link when you save or export as PDF.

After you export to PDF, open the file in your PDF reader and click the link to test it. If it doesn't work, go back to your original document, check that the URL is spelled correctly, and export again.

Adding a link directly to an existing PDF with Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat (the paid version) has a Link tool that lets you add clickable areas to a PDF without going back to the original document. Open your PDF in Acrobat, click Tools in the top menu, then select Add Links. A new toolbar appears at the top. Click the Link tool (it looks like a chain link), then drag a rectangle around the text or image you want to make clickable. A dialog opens asking where the link should point — type the URL and click OK.

The free Adobe Reader does not have this feature. If you only have Reader, you cannot edit the PDF. You would need to go back to the original Word or Google Docs file, add the link there, and export to PDF again.

Using free or low-cost tools to add links to existing PDFs

If you don't have Adobe Acrobat and can't go back to the original document, free or low-cost PDF editors can add links. Sejda (sejda.com) lets you upload a PDF, click where you want the link, and type the URL. You can edit up to three files per month for free; more edits require a paid account. PDFtk (pdftk.com) is free software you read and run on your computer, though it requires some technical comfort with command-line tools.

Smallpdf (smallpdf.com) and ILovePDF (ilovepdf.com) both have free tiers that let you add links to PDFs, but they limit how many files you can process per month or how large the file can be. Check their current limits before you upload, since these change. All of these tools work in your web browser, so you don't need to install anything.

What happens to links when you convert between formats

Links survive the journey from Word to PDF, from Google Docs to PDF, and from LibreOffice to PDF. When you export or save as PDF from any of these programs, the links stay clickable. However, links do not always survive if you convert a PDF back to Word or another format — the link may become plain text. If you need to edit a PDF and keep the links working, it's safer to edit the original document file and re-export to PDF.

If someone sends you a PDF with links and you need to add more links, ask them for the original Word or Google Docs file if they have it. That way you can add your link in the original program and export a new PDF with both links intact. If you only have the PDF, use Adobe Acrobat or a free tool like Sejda to add links directly to the PDF file.

Testing your link before you share the PDF

After you add a link and save the PDF, open it in your PDF reader and click the link to make sure it works. If the link doesn't open anything, go back and check that the URL is spelled correctly — a single typo will break it. Make sure the URL includes the full address: http:// or https:// at the start, not just www.example.com.

If you added the link in Word or Google Docs, test the PDF version, not the original document. Sometimes a link works in Word but doesn't survive the export to PDF, especially if you used a special character or a very long URL. Testing takes 30 seconds and catches the problem before you send the file to someone else.

Privacy and security notes when linking in PDFs

When you add a link to a PDF, you're embedding a URL that points somewhere on the internet. Anyone who opens the PDF can see where the link goes by hovering over it (in most readers) or by right-clicking and selecting "Copy Link". If the link contains sensitive information — like a password in the URL, or a private document ID — consider whether you want that visible to everyone who opens the file.

If you're sharing a PDF with a link to a login page or a private document, make sure the destination page is actually private and requires a password. A link to a public Google Drive folder, for example, will let anyone with the PDF click through and see the folder contents. Test the link from a different device or browser to confirm it behaves the way you expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a link to an email address in a PDF?

Yes. In Word, Google Docs, or LibreOffice, highlight the text, press Ctrl+K (or Cmd+K), and type mailto:yourname@example.com. When someone clicks the link in the PDF, their email program opens with a new message to that address. In Adobe Acrobat, use the same mailto: format in the URL field when you create the link.

What if the link works in my word processor but not in the PDF?

Check that the URL includes http:// or https:// at the start. Some word processors hide this when you type, but the PDF reader needs it to know the link is a web address. Go back to the original document, click the link to edit it, and make sure the full URL is there. Then export to PDF again and test.

Can I link to a specific page inside another PDF?

In Adobe Acrobat, yes — when you create the link, you can specify a page number in the destination PDF. In Word, Google Docs, and LibreOffice, you can only link to the first page of another PDF. If you need to link to a specific page, use Acrobat or ask the person who created the PDF to add a bookmark at that page, then link to the bookmark.

Does the link still work if I move the PDF to a different folder?

Links to websites (http:// or https://) work no matter where the PDF is stored. Links to files on your computer (like file:///C:/Documents/myfile.pdf) break if you move the PDF or the file it points to. For PDFs you're sharing with others, use web links instead of file links.

What's the difference between a hyperlink and an anchor link?

A hyperlink points to a website or email address. An anchor link (also called a bookmark link) points to a specific location within the same PDF or document. Most word processors and PDF editors let you create hyperlinks easily. Anchor links require you to first create a bookmark or heading at the destination, then link to it — this is more common in long documents like manuals or reports.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.