How to shade text fields (NOT form fields) in Acrobat

[Helen3593618792nk]

I have a Word document that I need to convert to pdf. The Word document has multiple cross-references to page numbers (e.g. p.23), and the hyperlinked numbers are shaded. However, when I use Create PDF to generate the PDF, the shading disappears. The hyperlinked cross-references still work, but there is no formatting to indicate to the reader that they can click on the page number to go to the desired location. 

The only information I can find about shading of fields in Acrobat relates to fillable forms, but this is not a form - it is just an ordinary document. 

[try67]

So how do these links work? Are they Link objects? If so, they have no shading options. Only buttons (a type of form fields) do. Alternatively, you can add the shades in Word as a graphic, and then they should be kept when converted to PDF.

[Helen3593618792nk]

No, they are not Link objects. They are cross-referenced page numbers. There are over 600 of them in the document, so it would not be feasible to add a graphic to each. 

[try67]

You need to do it in the original file format, then.

[Helen3593618792nk]

They are shaded in Word, but the shading is lost when the pdf is created. 

[try67]

How did you convert it from Word to PDF?

[Helen3593618792nk]

Using Adobe CreatePDF. This allows citations and cross-references to be retained as hyperlinks in the pdf. 

[try67]

You should use the "Create PDF" command under the Acrobat ribbon in Word.

[Helen3593618792nk]

Yes, that's what I used!

[Abambo]

What happens when you print the document (or one page of the document for the test) on a standard printer? Does the shading remain?

[Helen3593618792nk]

Interesting ... when I print the Word document, the shading of the hyperlinks does not show 

[Abambo]

Creating a PDF from a Word document is equivalent to printing that document. It is Word taking away this shading. It is only a visual clue for the document creation. Unfortunately, that is not exactly what you want.

Either you will need to mark the fields manually or you need to create a script doing that for you. If the hyperlinks have an automatic style attached, you could also check if it is possible to add real shading to the style.

[Helen3593618792nk]

Thank you

[Abambo]

You’re welcome.

[maxwithdax]

You should have a Word Style for hyperlink or CrossReference. You can apply an underline property to that style to give the user a visual cue the item is clickable. If you want shading you can add a highlight in the Borders property panel for the style.