Import PDF with hyperlinks into InDesign

[TBSchrack]

Hello everyone, 

I work on a catalogue and want to link some PDFs which include hyperlinks into InDesign. 

For linking the PDFs, I use Adobes own action / script to import PDF pages: PlaceMultipagePDF.jsx

With these, each page from the source file get placed on an own page, so far so good.

Appreantly, once I try to export an interactive PDF, the output does not include the hyperlinks in the source file. 

How can I make sure that the hyperlinks stay after exporting an interactive PDF?

It is out of question to remake every hyperlink in InDesign again, it should work with the combination of linking extern PDFs and exporting the end product to an interactive PDF.

Best Regards,

TB

[Jeffrey_Smith · Accepted solution]

Hyperlinks will not be retained when importing a PDF into Indesign. For live links (and all interactivity), you will need to use Acrobat and insert PDFs into the master.

[MDGA_Tim]

Struggling to understand - insert PDFs into the master pages? I'm on CS5, and have PDFs that each contain roughly 20 links. And 30 PDFs in this InDesign file. Is there a simple way to make hundreds on links active? Confused by your instructions...

[Dov Isaacs]

To be very clear, there is no “import” function for PDF into InDesign. You “place” such content. Any annotations, links, embedded files, etc. as well as most metadata from within the PDF file is discarded as part of the “place” operation.

[Jeffrey_Smith]

While there is a technical difference between the functions "place" and "import", the terms are used interchangeably. When I "place" a PDF into InDesign, I still can choose "import" options. When I "place" a word or excel document into InDesign, IMO I am technically importing. And although I can't "import" a PDF, I can "import" PDF comments into Indesign.

[1981Elktrekker]

This is late, but what a useless response.  Why bother.

[1981Elktrekker]

Nevermind, I see there was useful information aside from the place versus import discussion.  There does seem to be a reason for the difference.  Strange I can delete a comment here.  Or, I haven't figured it out perhaps.

[Robert Tkaczyk]

Only moderators can delete posts - you can only edit contents - the minimum is at least one character - like ".". 

[Jeffrey_Smith]

While there is a technical difference between the functions "delete" and "expunge", a user cannot do either with their post.  ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[1981Elktrekker]

Yes, I sadly found that out!  ;-}. Gotta watch at what level of a-hole I will be on these.