This article explains how to add functional hyperlinks to PDF files and how to change the anchor text.

What to Know

  • Create link in PDF file: Open PDF in editing software > select text or image > Edit > Link > Add.Link to PDF on a website: Upload PDF to site > create hyperlink, making sure to use the .PDF file extension.Link to PDF via WordPress: Add Media > Upload Files > Select Files > open PDF > add info > Insert into post.

Most PDF editing apps or programs, such as Adobe Acrobat or Drawboard PDF, have the ability to add a hyperlink to PDF files. In almost all cases, the process for adding a hyperlink is the same and requires you to select your target text or image within the PDF file, then select the appropriate Edit > Link > Add menu options.

You can also add a hyperlink to a PDF file by creating a new project with a link in Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint and saving the file as a PDF instead of its default file format.

Sometimes the Edit option will be located within the Tools menu or section of the PDF app.

While placing a hyperlink in PDF files can be an effective way to link to online content and direct the reader elsewhere, you can also link back to PDF files from a website or blog.

Linking to a PDF file from a web page can be useful when you need to link to a reference in a file or when you want to assist a reader in downloading a PDF file for offline usage.

The simplest way to link to a PDF file on a web page is to upload it to your website’s host, then create a hyperlink to it as you would any image or music file making sure to use the .PDF file extension.

If you enjoy coding websites from hand, you would use the usual hyperlink code as seen below.

Here’s how to link to a PDF file using WordPress:

  • From the New Page or New Post page, select Add Media.
  • Select Upload Files.
  • Choose Select Files.
  • Locate your PDF file on your device and select Open.
  • This won’t open the PDF file, it will simply upload it to your WordPress site.
  • Edit the Title, Caption, and Description fields, then select Insert into post.
  • The text you enter into the Title field will be the text used for the hyperlink. You can edit this later if you like.
  • A hyperlink will now be created linking directly to a copy of your PDF file hosted on your site. You can now add additional text and images before and after the link and finish creating the new post or page.

Change the Anchor Text of a Hyperlink in PDF

Once created, the hyperlink text—called anchor text—will be set to the text you entered in the Title field during the upload process. To change this, do the following.

From the New Page or New Post page, select Add Media.

Select Upload Files.

Choose Select Files.

Locate your PDF file on your device and select Open.

This won’t open the PDF file, it will simply upload it to your WordPress site.

Edit the Title, Caption, and Description fields, then select Insert into post.

The text you enter into the Title field will be the text used for the hyperlink. You can edit this later if you like.

A hyperlink will now be created linking directly to a copy of your PDF file hosted on your site. You can now add additional text and images before and after the link and finish creating the new post or page.

  • Select the PDF hyperlink within WordPress.
  • Select Edit.
  • Select Link Options.
  • In the Link Test field, type in your new hyperlink text.
  • Don’t edit the URL field as this will break the hyperlink to the PDF file.
  • Select Update.

Select the PDF hyperlink within WordPress.

Select Edit.

Select Link Options.

In the Link Test field, type in your new hyperlink text.

Don’t edit the URL field as this will break the hyperlink to the PDF file.

Select Update.

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