How to Save Word Documents as PDF With Hyperlinks Preserved Across Pages

When you save a Word document as a PDF, hyperlinks often stop working or break across pages. This happens because the default export settings do not include interactive elements like links. By adjusting a few options before exporting, you can keep all hyperlinks clickable in the final PDF. This article explains the correct save settings and the steps to preserve every hyperlink across all pages.

Why Hyperlinks Break When Saving Word Documents as PDF

Word uses two different export commands: File > Save As and File > Export. The default Save As command often strips interactive elements unless you manually enable specific options. The Export command provides more control over PDF features such as bookmarks, accessibility tags, and document structure. When hyperlinks break across pages, the root cause is usually one of these missing settings: Document structure tags for accessibility is turned off, or Create bookmarks using headings is disabled. Without these, the PDF reader treats the text as static graphics and ignores the underlying hyperlink code.

Steps to Save Word Documents as PDF With Hyperlinks Preserved

Use the Export method to ensure all hyperlinks remain active. The steps below apply to Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2021, and Word 2019. For older versions, the menu names are identical.

1. Open the document and check all hyperlinks
   Before exporting, verify that every hyperlink works inside Word. Press Ctrl+K to edit a selected link. Test links by holding Ctrl and clicking them. Fix any broken links before continuing.
2. Go to File > Export > Create PDF/XPS
   Click File in the top-left corner. Select Export from the left menu. Click the Create PDF/XPS button. This opens the Publish as PDF or XPS dialog box.
3. Choose a location and name for the PDF
   In the dialog box, navigate to the folder where you want to save the PDF. Type a file name in the File name field.
4. Click the Options button
   Do not click Publish yet. Click Options near the bottom of the dialog box. This opens the Options dialog box for PDF export.
5. Enable Document structure tags for accessibility
   In the Options dialog box, under the Include non-printing information section, check the box next to Document structure tags for accessibility. This setting tells Word to embed interactive elements such as hyperlinks into the PDF file.
6. Enable Create bookmarks using headings
   In the same section, check the box next to Create bookmarks using headings. This creates a clickable outline in the PDF navigation pane. It also preserves internal hyperlinks that jump to headings or bookmarks within the document.
7. Set Publish what to Document
   Under the Publish what section, select Document. Do not select Document showing markup unless you want to include tracked changes and comments. Markup can shift text and break hyperlink placement across pages.
8. Click OK and then Publish
   Click OK to close the Options dialog box. Click Publish in the main dialog box. Word exports the document to PDF with all hyperlinks preserved.

Alternative Method: Save As With Options

If you prefer to use Save As, follow these steps:

1. File > Save As > Browse
   Click File > Save As. Choose a location. In the Save As dialog box, select PDF from the Save as type dropdown.
2. Click More options
   Below the Save button, click More options. This opens the Options dialog box.
3. Enable Document structure tags for accessibility
   Check the same box as in the Export method. Also check Create bookmarks using headings.
4. Click OK and Save
   Click OK, then Save. The PDF is created with hyperlinks preserved.

If Hyperlinks Still Do Not Work After Export

PDF Reader Does Not Support Interactive Links

Some free PDF readers strip hyperlinks by default. Test the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader or Microsoft Edge. If links work there, the issue is your reader. Use a reader that supports interactive PDF features.

Hyperlinks Were Created as Plain Text

If you typed a URL manually and pressed Space or Enter, Word converts it to a hyperlink automatically. If you pasted a URL as plain text, it may not be a hyperlink. Right-click the text in Word and select Hyperlink. Enter the URL and click OK. Then re-export the PDF.

Bookmarks Appear but Hyperlinks Do Not

This happens when Create bookmarks using headings is enabled but Document structure tags for accessibility is disabled. Re-export with both options checked. Bookmarks alone do not preserve inline hyperlinks within paragraphs.

Word Save As vs Export: Hyperlink Preservation Comparison

Item	Save As (PDF)	Export (PDF/XPS)
Default hyperlink preservation	Disabled	Disabled
Options dialog access	More options button	Options button
Document structure tags setting	Available	Available
Bookmark creation setting	Available	Available
File size with accessibility tags	Larger	Larger
Compatibility with older PDF readers	Good	Good

Both methods preserve hyperlinks equally when you enable Document structure tags for accessibility. The Export method is recommended because it provides a dedicated Options dialog without extra clicks. Use Save As if you already have the Save As dialog open and want to stay in that workflow.

After exporting, open the PDF in a reader and test every hyperlink on different pages. If a link jumps to the wrong page, the original Word document may have incorrect cross-references. Edit the hyperlink target in Word and re-export. For internal hyperlinks, use the Insert > Link > Place in This Document feature to set precise page destinations.