Adding a link to a PDF depends on what you want to link to and what tool you have

You can add a link to a PDF in three ways: link to a web address, link to another page inside the same PDF, or link to a file on your computer. The method changes based on whether you created the PDF yourself, received it from someone else, or need to edit one that already exists. Most PDFs you receive are locked against editing, so you may need to go back to the original document — usually a Word file or Google Doc — and add the link there before converting to PDF.

If you do have a PDF you can edit, the steps differ between Adobe Acrobat (the paid version), free tools like PDFtk or Smallpdf, and built-in tools on Mac or Windows. This guide covers the most common scenarios and the tools that actually let you do this without paying.

Key Takeaways

  • Most PDFs you receive cannot be edited — you need to add links in the original Word or Google Doc file, then export to PDF.
  • Adobe Acrobat Pro is the standard tool for editing links in existing PDFs, but costs $180 per year.
  • Free alternatives like PDFtk, Smallpdf, and ILovePDF let you add links to PDFs without a subscription, though with fewer features than Acrobat.
  • On Mac, Preview can add basic links; on Windows, you need a third-party tool.
  • The easiest route is usually to add the link in your original document before you convert it to PDF.

Adding a link before you convert to PDF

If you are starting with a Word document or Google Doc, add the link there and then export to PDF. This is faster than editing the PDF afterward and gives you more control over how the link appears.

In Microsoft Word, highlight the text you want to link, right-click, and select "Link" or press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac). Type or paste the web address. When you save the file as PDF — File > Save As > PDF — the link travels with it. In Google Docs, highlight the text, click the link icon in the toolbar, paste the URL, and click "explore." When you read as PDF, the link is already there.

This method works for linking to websites, email addresses, and files on your computer. It is the least frustrating route because you are working in a tool designed for editing, not retrofitting a locked document.

Using Adobe Acrobat Pro to edit an existing PDF

Adobe Acrobat Pro (the paid desktop version, not the free Reader) lets you add, edit, and remove links in any PDF. Open the PDF, go to Tools > Edit PDF, then click "Link" in the toolbar. Click and drag to select the text or area where you want the link, then enter the URL or choose to link to a page in the same document.

Acrobat Pro costs $180 per year and is the industry standard for PDF editing. If you work with PDFs regularly and need professional-grade control, it is worth the cost. If you only need to add a link once or twice, the free tools below will do the job.

Free tools that let you add links to PDFs

PDFtk is a command-line tool (meaning you type commands rather than click buttons) that can add links to PDFs. It is free and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux, but requires some technical comfort. You read it, open your terminal or command prompt, and run a command that points to your PDF file. It is powerful but not beginner-friendly.

Smallpdf and ILovePDF are web-based tools that let you upload a PDF, add links by clicking and dragging, and read the result. Both are free for a limited number of edits per month (usually 2 to 3). They work in any browser and require no installation. The tradeoff is that you are uploading your file to their servers, which matters if the PDF contains sensitive information.

Preview on Mac has built-in link tools. Open the PDF, click the markup toolbar (the pen-in-circle icon), select the link tool, and draw a box around the text you want to link. A dialog box appears where you enter the URL. This is the easiest free option if you use a Mac.

On Windows, there is no built-in equivalent to Preview. Your free options are Smallpdf, ILovePDF, or PDFtk. If you want a desktop tool without the command line, you may need to pay for a lighter-weight option like PDFXChange Editor (around $60 one-time) or stick with the web-based tools.

Linking to another page inside the same PDF

You can create a link that jumps to a different page in the same document — useful for a table of contents or cross-references. In Adobe Acrobat Pro, select the text, click Link, choose "Go to a page in this document," and select the destination page. In Smallpdf and ILovePDF, this feature is usually not available in the free version.

If you are building the PDF from a Word document or Google Doc, you can set up internal links there too. In Word, highlight text, press Ctrl+K, click "Place in This Document," and choose the heading or bookmark you want to link to. In Google Docs, use the link tool and select "Headings" to link to any heading in the document. These links carry over when you export to PDF.

Protecting your PDF after adding links

Once you have added links, you may want to lock the PDF so no one else can edit it. In Adobe Acrobat Pro, go to File > Properties > Security and set a password. In Smallpdf and ILovePDF, look for a "Protect" or "Security" option after you finish editing. On Mac Preview, you can export the PDF with a password by going to File > Export > Security Options.

Locking a PDF prevents accidental changes but does not prevent someone from copying the text or viewing the content. If you need stronger security, Acrobat Pro offers more granular controls, including the ability to prevent printing or copying.

Troubleshooting links that do not work

If a link in your PDF does not work, the most common cause is a typo in the URL. Open the PDF in your editing tool, select the link, and check that the web address is spelled correctly and includes "https://" at the start. Some tools require the full protocol (https or http); others add it automatically.

If you created the PDF from a Word or Google Doc and the link worked there but not in the PDF, the export settings may have stripped it out. Try exporting again and check that you are using the standard PDF export option, not a "print to PDF" method. If the problem persists, open the original document, verify the link works there, and export once more.

Links to files on your computer (not web addresses) only work if the file is in the same folder as the PDF or if you use an absolute file path. If you share the PDF with someone else, file links will break unless you also share the folder structure. For shared documents, use web links instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a link to a PDF I received from someone else?

Only if the PDF is not password-protected. If it is locked, you cannot edit it. Ask the person who created it to add the link and send you an updated version. If you have the original Word or Google Doc file, you can add the link there, export to PDF, and use that version instead.

Do links in a PDF work on all devices?

Links to websites work on any device that can open a PDF and has internet access. Links to files on your computer only work if the file is in the same location on that device. If you share a PDF with links to local files, those links will break on the recipient's computer.

What is the difference between Smallpdf and ILovePDF?

Both are web-based and free for a few edits per month. Smallpdf has a slightly cleaner interface; ILovePDF offers a few more editing tools. For adding links, they work about the same. Try both and use whichever feels easier to you.

Can I add a link to an image or shape in a PDF?

Yes, in Adobe Acrobat Pro. Select the Link tool, draw a box around the image or shape, and enter the URL. In free web tools like Smallpdf, you can usually only link text, not images. If you need to link images, Acrobat Pro is the better choice.

Does adding a link change the file size of the PDF?

Slightly, but not enough to matter. A single link adds only a few kilobytes. Even a PDF with dozens of links will not noticeably increase in size.