WORD 2019 (mac) to PDF without links

Be sure to save it as DOCX, not DOC

“Are you sure if I would use the Windows version of MS Word I can create an interactive pdf?”

Yes, if you use the PDFMaker. If you Print to PDF, then no.

The best practice is to use the Acrobat tab on the Ribbon in Word (Windows only). You will want to click Create PDF, but before you do, click the button to the right of it — I think it says Settings or Preferences. There are four tabs in here that you want to go through first. (I always start on the right and work right to left.) If you have used the styles Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3, they will be converted to Bookmarks. If you have created styles with different names, such as First Head, Second Head, you need to enable them in this tab. You also need to make sure Create Links is on. If you have Notes, then convert them to Acrobat Comments or they will come in as pictures of notes.

Once you’ve worked through the four tabs, then click Create PDF in the Acrobat tab. Unfortunately, this is Windows only.

The PDFMaker will create links for hyperlinks, TOC, cross-references, Footnotes, and Indexes as well as create Bookmarks from the headings. When you look in File > Document Properties in Acrobat, it will say it used PDFMaker for Word.

 Jane 

++Adding to the suggestions,

If you have any MS Office installation media that you own  with a  license from a Windows PC, you can also download and install PlayOnMac, Wine, WineTricks, and WineHQ. These are opensource alternatives.

You can also use CrossOver (paid subscription ; runs on linux, macOS, and ChromeOS and a mobile version for Android devices)

I've used PlayOnLinux to emulate  a full MS Office  suite on my linux PCs with excellent results.