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Question

Linked InDesign file with hyperlinks not working when exported as Interactive PDF

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
January 10, 2023
2 replies
2274 views

I have a Indesign file that has been placed as a link in another InDesign file, it's a footer so it contains contact info. When I export the file as an Interactive PDF (or even as a Print PDF), the hyperlinks do not work.

So far I have figured out that it's because the actual URL is different to the text that it's linked to (for example, the text will be 'Website' but the hyperlink URL is 'https://www.whatagreatwebsite.com').

When the text matches the URL hyperlink, it works fine when exported as a PDF (both interactive and print) but not when they don't match, does anyone know how to make this work when using an InDesign file placed into another InDesign file?

Thanks!

E

Eugene Tyson

Community Expert

URLs in placed documents won't work.

You'll need to create a blank frame over the link and insert a hyperlink - like creating a hotspot on a webpage - or just a blank button over a link.

Unfortunately, this is how it works.

Mascalzone_13Author

Participating Frequently

Yeah, I've been playing with a similar method, putting the whole URL under the linked text, creating a hyperlink and then making it 0% transperency, it's been hit and miss.

Again though, URL's DO WORK in placed documents but only when the linked text is exactly the same as the hyperlink URL in the hyperlink panel/window. It's when you change the text to something else, that's when it stops working, well, for me.

E

Eugene Tyson

Community Expert

As pointed out that's because Acrobat is autoreading the hyperlink and making it automatically.

That won't work for all PDF readers as they don't all have that capability - and I think it's also a preference in PDF readers.

It should work with a blank rectangle set to no colour - and then hyperlink it.

But if the full URL works - then use that instead - but it may not work everywhere.

Willi Adelberger

Community Expert

Only direct writtn URLs are detected upon PDF export. If you place an INDD file in another INDD file it is technically the very same as if you would export a PDF/X-4 and place that into an INDD file. It is an image placed in INDD.

If you want to get URLs alive, you have to place the text into the file.

Mascalzone_13Author

Participating Frequently

Thank you for the reply.

It does work though, as long as the URL matches the URL in the Hyperlink panel. It exports just fine as a PDF when it's an InDesign file in another InDesign file, however if the text in my linked InDesign file is different from it's URL in the Hyperlink panel it does't work. Is there any way to make this work?

BobLevine

Community Expert

Because Acrobat, by default, will detect those URLs. Turn that off in your Acrobat preferences and see what happens.

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