Creating interactive PDFs with working buttons in InDesign?

Forum|Forum|1 month ago
February 25, 2026
3 replies
41 views

I’m working in InDesign from Adobe and want to create an interactive PDF with fully functional buttons. I’ve added buttons and set actions, but they don’t always work after exporting. What are the exact steps to ensure buttons, hyperlinks, and navigation features function properly? Are there specific export settings or panel options I should double-check for reliable interactive results?

Derek Cross

Community Expert

Keep them simple – a word or words or an image as a hyperlink (no roll-over buttons) and export as an Interactive PDF.

BobLevine

Community Expert

Buttons in PDF are nothing but an exercise in futility. First off, beyond Acrobat on a desktop, they’re not likely to work at all. Even with Acrobat, the more buttons you have the wonkier the behavior.

In short, I cannot recommend this workflow at all.

smithwillyAuthor

Participant

Thanks for the insight! Really helpful to know the limitations, appreciate you sharing your experience.

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Community Expert

What actions are on the buttons and what type of PDF are you generating from InDesign?

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

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