How to Add Hyperlink to PDF with or Without Adobe Acrobat?

These days, we deal with PDF files a lot, since PDF is a highly flexible format that can be easily viewed and manipulated on different devices. To enrich a PDF document, we may insert some interactive elements to PDF, such as clickable hyperlinks, bookmarks, rich media, buttons and fields. Among them, a hyperlink lets you fast jump to the specified location in or outside the PDF.

Many users deem Adobe Acrobat as the only way to add a hyperlink to PDF, but there are alternatives to add hyperlink to PDF without Adobe Acrobat. 

Table of Contents

 Cisdem PDFMaster

Use the Best-in-class PDF Editor to Add Hyperlink

• Add Hyperlink to quick access to a specific page or URL
• Insert, edit, remove hyperlinks as you like
• Convert native, scanned and encrypted PDFs to editable formats for adding hyperlink
• Support batch process with fast speed and high quality
• Other interactive elements: bookmark, form fields, buttons...
• Edit text, make annotations, manage pages, sign PDF, create forms, etc
• Free trial available on Windows and Mac

Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7 Free Download macOS 10.13 or later

Best Option to Add Hyperlink to PDF Without Adobe Acrobat (Windows & Mac)

Until today, many of us choose to convert PDF to the editable Word format to perform the PDF editing tasks, but it can actually cause formatting problems, so we will start with a better way to add hyperlink to PDF on Windows and Mac.

To add hyperlink to PDF without Adobe Acrobat, here we recommend using a PDF hyperlink generator first. With the help of a one-stop PDF editor, you can insert links, edit links, move links, even remove links as you like. Link to a specific page or URL also works in this part. Cisdem PDFMaster is recommended due to its excellent performance in editing. Whether you want to jump to the specific page, or quick access to an address, PDFMater makes it an easy task.

You can even drag and drop PDF files back to the program to convert PDF, create PDF, reduce file size, add passwords and unlock passwords in batch. It features practical editing tools for you to edit (replace text/add text), make comments (annotate/add shapes/insert stamps/free hand/sign), make fillable forms, manipulate pages and more. There is no reason to say no to the almighty PDF editor.

To Add Hyperlink to a PDF, follow the guide below：

1. Try Cidem PDFMaster with a 14-day free trial.
   Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7 Free Download macOS 10.13 or later
2. Go to Open Files and upload a PDF to the program.
3. Once the file is opened, drag your cursor to select the text in your PDF that you want to add hyperlink. Then click on the Link icon.
4. There are two ways for you: Enter URL you would like to link to/ Select the page number you would like to link to. Select the way you prefer and click Link.
5. Then the content that you insert link is marked with an underline. When you click it, the program will jump to the page/URL you preset.
6. Finally, save your PDF file.

You can also watch this video to add hyperlink to PDF easier:

Add Link to PDF Online

Without Adobe Acrobat and any desktop programs, we can add links to PDF using online tools like Google Docs and PDFescape with Internet connected. Read on and pick the best one for you.

#1 How to Hyperlink a PDF in Google Docs?

Although it is not a professional PDF editor, I have to say that it has covered the basic functions that most users need to use, such as editing, converting, annotating, sharing, even comparing documents. Google Docs allows you to turn PDF into editable Word and provides numerous annotating tools to insert hyperlink/image/chart/watermark/page numbers/comment. Now, let’s get started by creating a clickable hyperlink in PDF with Google Docs online for free.

1. Log into your Google Drive and open a PDF with Google Docs.
2. Navigate to where you want to insert the hyperlink. Then tap on Insert > Link.
3. Now you can paste the hyperlink to the text box and apply it.
4. Now, you can find the hyperlink in your PDF. Plus, coping, editing or removing the link also works.
5. Finally, go to File > Download > PDF Document.

#2 How Add Hyperlink to PDF Online with PDFescape

PDFescape is a smart online PDF editor across web and Windows devices that allows you to edit PDF files, annotate text, fill out forms, password protect PDF files and share documents online. Here we take online PDFescape to demonstrate how to add hyperlink to PDF for free.

1. Go to PDFescape.
2. Upload the PDF you want to add hyperlink.
3. Choose Link on the Insert tab, then drag a box onto the text that you want to add hyperlink. Enter the URL that you want to link to, click OK to apply.
4. Save and download the PDF with hyperlink added.

Add Hyperlink to PDF Free with Mac Preview

Preview is the built-in app to view and markup PDF files on Mac. It is understandable that all Mac users try this tool first when they need to add hyperlink. However, it supports adding URL links to PDF only. If this is OK for you, you can follow the steps to add links to your PDF with Mac Preview.

Steps to Add Link to PDF Free with Preview

1. Open the PDF with Mac Preview.
2. Go to Tools > Annotate > Text.
3. Add the URL link to the text box, you can even change the font, color and size.
4. Then, select the complete URL and right-click it, choose “Open URL”from options to make a clickable link on Mac Preview.

Add Hyperlink to PDF in Microsoft Word

If you are a Microsoft Word user, you may have noticed that Word 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and Office 365 allow inserting PDF into Word. Once the PDF is opened in Word, you will be allowed to edit and add hyperlink to the file.  It can link to more locations than general software, not only can select the text of this file, other files, new files, and even jump to web pages, email addresses, etc.

1. Open a PDF with Microsoft Word.
2. Choose the text that you want to link to, then go to Insert > Link.
3. You can link to existing file, web page, new document, even email address from the hyperlink dialogue, click OK to apply it.
4. Now you can export this file as PDF, and when you click the linked text, you can fast jump to the place you want to navigate. 

Insert Hyperlink to PDF with Adobe Acrobat if You Have Installed

Adobe Acrobat series are always good solutions to edit and manage PDF files. You will be allowed to edit every bit of the PDF freely within the program, such as add PDF text, add page numbers, add hyperlinks, delete sentences, change font size, etc. If you have installed Adobe Acrobat on your Windows PC or Mac, here are the steps to insert hyperlink to a PDF file.

Steps to Add Hyperlink to PDF with Adobe Acrobat

1. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat DC
2. Go to Tools > Edit PDF > Link. Choose “Add/Edit Web or Document Link” and drag a box to add the hyperlink to where you want to.
3. In the new dialogue, select the link appearance and link action, click Next to choose the exact place.

Conclusion

So, Adobe is not the only solution to add hyperlink to PDF, you can utilize Cisdem PDFMaster, Microsoft Word, PDF converter, even online free PDF editors to add hyperlinks. But when using online free tools, you’d better give a second thought, uploading files to online server will bring potential risk of information leakage. If you are dealing with confidential files, pay for a powerful PDF editor like Cisdem PDFMaster, then add hyperlink or any other contents you are allowed to add.