How to Save Word as PDF with Bookmarks & Hyperlinks

Table of Contents

Introduction

Converting a Word document to a PDF while maintaining bookmarks and hyperlinks is crucial for easy navigation. Many users struggle with losing internal links and headings when exporting a document to PDF. This guide will walk you through step-by-step methods to ensure your bookmarks and hyperlinks remain intact across different versions of Microsoft Word (Windows, Mac, Online) and alternative tools.

Method 1: Using Microsoft Word’s Built-in Save As PDF Feature

The easiest way to create a PDF with working bookmarks and hyperlinks is by using Word’s built-in options.

Steps for Windows:

Prepare the Document: Ensure headings are formatted with Heading Styles (H1, H2, H3, etc.) as these are automatically converted into bookmarks.
Check Hyperlinks: Use Ctrl + Click to verify that hyperlinks work correctly.
Save as PDF:
- Click on File > Save As.
- Choose PDF (*.pdf) from the “Save as type” dropdown.
- Click Options
- Make sure “Create bookmarks using: Headings and/or Work bookmarks” is selected.
- Ensure “Document structure tags for accessibility” is checked.
- Click Save.

Steps for Mac:

Follow Steps 1 & 2 from Windows.
Click File > Save As.
Select PDF as the format.
Click Best for electronic distribution and accessibility (to ensure bookmarks are included).
Click Export.

Method 2: Using “Print to PDF” (Does NOT Preserve Bookmarks)

While you can use “Print to PDF” in Word:

It does NOT preserve bookmarks.
Hyperlinks might remain clickable but are sometimes lost.
Recommended only if formatting issues arise using “Save As”.

Method 3: Using Adobe Acrobat to Convert Word to PDF (Advanced Features)

If you have Adobe Acrobat Pro, it offers better control over bookmark preservation.

Steps:

Open your Word document.
Click Acrobat > Create PDF.
Under Preferences, ensure “Add Bookmarks” and “Add Links” are checked.
Click Save.

Method 4: Using Online Converters (Caution!)

Many online tools like Smallpdf, iLovePDF, and PDF2Go can convert Word to PDF, but:

Some strip bookmarks and hyperlinks.
Privacy risks (avoid for sensitive documents).
Formatting inconsistencies may occur.

Common Issues & Fixes

1. Hyperlinks Not Working in PDF

Ensure hyperlinks are properly formatted (i.e., https:// for external links).
Recheck document before converting.

2. Bookmarks Missing

Use Heading Styles instead of manual text formatting.
Ensure “Create Bookmarks using Headings” is enabled in Save As PDF options.

3. Broken Formatting After Conversion

Use Adobe Acrobat for a better conversion experience.
Avoid “Print to PDF” method if you need bookmarks.

Alternative Tools for Better Conversion

Tool	Bookmark Support	Hyperlink Support	Best For
Adobe Acrobat Pro	✅	✅	Professional PDFs
Microsoft Word Save As PDF	✅	✅	Most users
Smallpdf/iLovePDF	❌	✅	Quick conversion
PDFelement	✅	✅	Advanced customization

FAQs

1. Can I edit bookmarks in the PDF after conversion?

Yes, tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro and PDFelement allow editing bookmarks in PDFs.

2. How do I test if bookmarks work?

Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader and check the Bookmarks Panel (View > Show/Hide > Navigation Pane > Bookmarks).

3. What if my hyperlinks work in Word but not in the PDF?

Try enabling Document structure tags for accessibility in Save As PDF settings.

4. Can I batch convert multiple Word files while keeping bookmarks?

Yes, Adobe Acrobat Pro allows batch conversion while retaining bookmarks.

Conclusion

Preserving bookmarks and hyperlinks in PDFs is essential for creating a well-structured and navigable document. Using the correct Microsoft Word settings or advanced PDF tools, you can ensure seamless document navigation. If you need professional-level customization, tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro or PDFelement are recommended.

C P Gupta

C P Gupta is a YouTuber and Blogger. He is expert in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. His YouTube channel @pickupbrain is very popular and has crossed 9.9 Million Views.