Zoom level changing in PDF Export when TOC links are clicked

[twinbrush]

Don't ever recall this being an issue in the past, but today I'm getting this bizarre issue.  I've created my doc (in Adobe InDesign 2025) and exported it as an interactive PDF. In the Export view settings, its set to 'Fit Width'. When the PDF file is initially loaded, this zoom level (zoom level is 190%) is honoured.

When I click on any of the Table of Contents links the PDF navigates to the correct page but the zoom level reverts to what i assume is either 'fit page' or 'fit height' (zoom level changes to 80%) and ignores the 'Fit Width' setting from the InDesign Export panel.

Can't see any other options anywhere, but it has been a while since I set up a TOC, so could be overlooking something very obvious! Any suggestions or thoughts would be very much appreciated

[Eugene Tyson]

The setting of the initial view is just that - when the file opens that it sets to that for the initial viewing. 

The Fit Width would be screen independent, surely, so on different monitors it would different zoom levels, right?

I'm not aware of any setting that would change the zoom setting on clicking a link, I would assume that the zoom level would remain the same when clicking a link. 

Hard to know without seeing it.

You could always try install 2024 from Creative Cloud and try export from there and see if there's a difference. 

It might be a bug in 2025 - I have no idea.

Would need to see the files.

[twinbrush]

Cheers Eugene. Yeah the fit width (zoom percentage) would change depending on the users screen, but would keep the PDF set to fill the width, which is what I want.

I'm not aware of any setting that would change the zoom setting on clicking a link, I would assume that the zoom level would remain the same when clicking a link.

Me neither. I've looked everywhere when setting up the links, the TOC styles and options, the PDF export and don't see anything.

[Frans v.d. Geest · Accepted solution]

Yes, that is how InDesign handles it. Problem for Accessible PDF. It is about the value 'inherrit Zoom' not being set and the TOC link is always a page link. Sad but true. Peter Kahrel has a InDesign script (developed for Accessible PDF) that can solve this:

https://creativepro.com/files/kahrel/indesign/accessible-toc.html

[twinbrush]

It's a problem for PDF in general. I would have assumed all PDF files are accessible no?

[Frans v.d. Geest]

No.

[twinbrush]

Can you explain what the difference is then please, I've never heard the term Accessible PDF up until now. I mean, how would one export an accessible PDF from InDesign? If this isn't the standard in exporting for print or interactive PDF and is a 'new' type of export, then the script you've link to unfortunately has no relevance and shouldn't be marked as a correct answer? Cheers 🙂

[Frans v.d. Geest]

https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/hub/what-is-an-accessible-pdf.html#:~:text=Accessible%20PDFs%20ensure%....
An accessible pdf complies to WCAG/508 for people with a disability, like bad sight or even blind. A tagged PDF helps with that but you need to do more with that tag or code.

There we see the same problem with the auto generated TOC; it always goes to the start of the page and shows it fit, zo zoom level changes.

That was you problem as well.

Although the script was developed for Accessibility in InDesign and PDF, it does what you want; Zoom will stay the same as set ('inherit zoom') and it will go the relevant Title/chapter/heading on that page instead to the top of the page. 

[twinbrush]

Brilliant Frans. Thanks so much for the link and info...and for clarifying that the script will help with the issue I'm facing. I suppose the next step from me is to flag this as a big or feature request.

Thanks again 👍🏻 

[Mike Witherell]

If you built a ToC including the switch that makes hyperlinks to the pages, then your next step is to work on the Bookmarks in the PDF in Acrobat Pro. Each Bookmark can be edited to have a zoom level in the Bookmarks panel of Acrobat Pro:

1. In the Bookmarks side panel, select the bookmark.

2. In the document pane, move to the location you want to specify as the new destination.

3. If necessary, adjust the view magnification.

4. Select Set Bookmark Destination in the Options menu.

Also, notice this:

1. In the Bookmarks side panel, select the Options menu.

2. Select Set Default Bookmark Zoom Level, and choose the desired zoom level. By default, the Inherit Zoom option is selected.

https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/page-thumbnails-bookmarks-pdfs.html