Copy link text from PDF to Word without stripping hyperlink from text.

[Tony Frenzel]

Hello Adobe Suppport Community,

I've created an interactive PDF (using InDesign) with some text links (Text with hyperlink embedded).  I cannot copy that text from the PDF (I'm using Acrobat) to a Microsoft Word document without it stripping the hyperlink from the pasted text.  Is this something that cannot be done?  I understand you can right click on link text to copy the url string, but I don't want that - I just want to copy over a text link so it retains all formatting, including the link, to Microsoft Word (or even into an email).

Possible?   Help...... would seem simple and basic enough.

[ls_rbls · Accepted solution]

I think this is related to the Unicode encoding/decoding.

Both the Acrobat and MS Word perform these actions automatically, so when you copy the text with the embedded hyperlink from Acrobat you need to select "Copy with Formatting" from the context menu.

Then in MS Word, right-click to paste and select from the three options "Merge Formatting".

See slide:

 

[ls_rbls · Accepted solution]

I think this is related to the Unicode encoding/decoding.

Both the Acrobat and MS Word perform these actions automatically, so when you copy the text with the embedded hyperlink from Acrobat you need to select "Copy with Formatting" from the context menu.

Then in MS Word, right-click to paste and select from the three options "Merge Formatting".

See slide:

 

[Tony Frenzel]

This half works the way I want it to - THANK YOU.  But, here's the issue. It works fine if I select regular text and a text link together - but if I only select just the text link, this is the contextual menu I get (see attached) - It doesn't give me the "copy with formatting" option in Acrobat, just "open weblink.../copy link location". Is there a setting in preferences or anything that might help toggle this or something?

[ls_rbls]

I'm on MS Windows 10, are you on macOS or an iOS device tablet?

[ls_rbls]

I see what you're saying.

You'll get that context menu if you're trying to copy a link that was generated with the Weblink plugin tool.

Just select "Copy Link Location" in Acrobat.

Then in MS Word , when you right-click, don't select from the Paste Options. Choose instead "Link". 

To the right of that selection a submenu will open with the content that is cached in the clipboard. See next slide below:

[Tony Frenzel]

I'm on a Mac, but what I want is exactly what you said intially - I want to copy that text link with formatting, but be able to do it if I ONLY select the link, not the link with other plain text - does this make sense (the contextual menu changes/doesn't give me the option if I just select the link text)?  I just wish it would give me the option upon only text link select to "copy with formatting" but it doesn't - it just gives me the copy link location, which is what I don't want - I want the smaller text link - not the whole URL string - if that makes sense.  Any other thoughts? 

[ls_rbls]

Would you mind sharing a screenshot?

I need a visual of the link that you're referring to.

[Tony Frenzel · Accepted solution]

Actually, I figured it out - if you just move your curser just below the select link text it changes from the hand icon to an arrow icon and you can right-click and select "Copy with Formatting" - so it does work, just had to figure out how to do it - THANK YOU!  You were a huge help!