Is there a way in AdobePro to automatically generate an accurately linked table of contents? Specifically, a table of contents initially generated in a 600-page MS Word document, when creating a PDF from the Word document?

Forum|Forum|1 month ago
February 26, 2026
3 replies
47 views

Once I create the PDF, I find that the links generated are off by 1 page (even though the page number is correct in the Table of Contents). Of course, having the link go to an incorrect page is of little help when I have to re-set the links manually. Thanks.

Thom Parker

Community Expert

A tool (plug-in) could be created to modify the links. However, you really ought to be able to do the conversion to PDF with the correct TOC links.

Since you have both Word and Acrobat, the conversion can be done from Word, which also has a whole list of conversion settings. Try this and see if the result is different.

Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often

K

Kate B SJAuthor

Participant

I tested this. From Word, I exported the main document with Table of Contents to a PDF. This version has links working well. However, when I use Adobe Pro to Create a PDF / Multiple files / Combine files and add this PDF that was exported from Word, along with the separate word docs, many the links in the first PDF break.

Kate

Thom Parker

Community Expert

Ok, so TOC link issue solved, Yeah!!

The combine files issue is a different animal. It’s interesting that only some of the links break. You’d think that it would be all or none. You’re getting in to more nuanced territory. We’d need to examine your methodology more closely. For example, are you combining pure PDF files, or PDF mixed with word files? The conversion process during combination might be having a bad effect. Try combining pure PDFs and see if it has the same issue.

Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Community Expert

Not in Acrobat Pro. Why not do the TOC in Word?

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

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Kate B SJAuthor

Participant

I do generate the TOC in Word. After creating the PDF, the links go to the wrong pages or are broken. When in the Edit links menu in Adobe, the invisible boxes appear, and when looking at those, they are assigned to the incorrect page. Wondering if there’s a better way, as it’s many keystrokes to go into the link properties by clicking in the box, go to Actions, Delete the wrong page, click Select Action, change it from Execute a menu item to Go to a page view, click Add, enter the correct page, and Set link.

Kate