Creating interactive PDFs with working buttons in InDesign?

Forum|Forum|1 hour ago
February 25, 2026
2 replies
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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?

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.

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Community Expert

I agree with @BobLevine about some actions not working in non-Adobe PDF viewers, but some actions work fine in Acrobat, such as Open File, Open weblink, Reset form, Submit form, Hide/Show layers, Execute menu item. I’m sure there are a few others that I didn’t test that will work. Generally, most except the media-related actions, which are dicey.

As always, it comes down to “test, test, test”.

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

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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