When combining files, table of content partly (!) doesn't work anymore!

[steffim15649423]

Good afternoon,

I regularly need to create user manuals. First, I create a Word document with a table of content (Windows 10) to which I actually need to add some other files as well, that is why I use Acrobat 2017 to combine those files.

- I open Acrobat and choose for 'combine files'.

- I add my Word document and extend the content (so that every page is visible and can be rearranged).

- I add all other files that need to be part of the user manual (mainly attachments and drawings). However, some of the files, e.g. drawings need to be placed directly behind a certain page of the Word document. So I drag the drawings there.

- And when I combine the files to one pdf, the links in my table of content do not work anymore from the following heading where I put the drawing before.

- I already tried to use TOC...didn't make a difference.

Has somebody an idea how I can solve the problem? I didn't have the problem with Acrobat XI.

Example of my Word document:

Table of content:

1. Overview >> Link works, no pages of other files added

2. General >> Link works, no pages of other files added      

3. ... >> Link works, no pages of other files added

4. ... >> Link works, no pages of other files added

5. ... >> Link works, no pages of other files added

6. ... >> Link works, no pages of other files added

7. Drawings >> Here, I place/drag drawings (= converted pdf-files) and from then on, the links do not work anymore

7.1 Electrical drawings >> Links do not work anymore

7.2 Pneumatic drawings >> Links do not work anymore

8. Instructions >> Links do not work anymore

9. ... >> Links do not work anymore

10. ... >> Links do not work anymore

Help is much appreciated! Thank you

Regards,

Steffi Müller

[try67]

It depends how the links were set up in your TOC. If they point to a page then it should update the references automatically when you insert new pages into the file. If they point to a page number then it won't update and the links will be broken to all the pages after the ones you inserted.

[steffim15649423]

Dear try67,

Thanks for your reply. I checked the settings in TOC again, however it doesn't make a difference. Am I missing something?

Hope to hear from you.

Thanks in advance!

[Test Screen Name]

You say you place/drag insertions. Can you explain in detail how you add this material? Also when a link “does not work” what do you mean?

[steffim15649423]

Dear Test Screen Name,

thank you for your reply. I made a short video to explain how I insert and rearrange files. At item 7 I insert heavy drawings in pdf...so I wonder...does it has to do with the size of the pdf's that the following links (7.1 untill 8) don't work anymore? If so, that's not really handy...is there a solution?

Thanks in advance!

[Test Screen Name · Accepted solution]

You seem to be rearranging pages DURING THE ASSEMBLY that is when you first combine the PDF files. So far as I know you did this differently before because that's new (?). Please try this with first making the document then rearranging the pages with the Organize Pages tool.

[steffim15649423]

Thank youuu!

No, I always rearranged pages during the assembly. Now I know that I need to do it within 2 steps.

If I think about it now...it's actually quite obvious!