You export a Word document to PDF, but the table of contents entries are no longer clickable links. Instead of jumping to each section, clicking a TOC line does nothing. This happens because Word’s default PDF export settings strip the hyperlinks from the TOC field codes. This article explains the specific setting that controls hyperlink preservation and provides the exact steps to keep your TOC links active in the exported PDF.
Key Takeaways: Keep Hyperlinks in TOC When Exporting to PDF
- File > Export > Create PDF/XPS > Options > Publish what > Document with markup: Selecting this option preserves TOC hyperlinks in the PDF output.
- File > Export > Create PDF/XPS > Options > Create bookmarks using headings: Adds PDF bookmarks from Word headings, which replace missing TOC links if needed.
- File > Options > Advanced > Preserve fidelity when sharing this document > Save form data as delimited text file: Disabling this prevents Word from stripping TOC hyperlinks during export.
Why Word Removes TOC Hyperlinks During PDF Export
Word’s table of contents is a field code, not a static list of headings. When you export to PDF, Word converts the document content page by page. By default, Word’s PDF export engine treats the TOC field code as plain text unless you explicitly instruct it to preserve hyperlinks. The setting that controls this behavior is in the PDF export options dialog, not in the Save As dialog. If you use the Save As menu to create a PDF, Word applies a different set of defaults that often drop TOC hyperlinks. The technical root cause is that Word’s PDF export engine has two separate code paths: one via Export and one via Save As. The Export path supports hyperlink preservation; the Save As path does not for older or default configurations. Additionally, Word’s “Publish what” setting must be set to “Document with markup” rather than “Document” to retain field code hyperlinks.
Steps to Export a Word Document to PDF With Working TOC Hyperlinks
Use the Export menu instead of Save As. The Export menu exposes the Options dialog where you can toggle hyperlink preservation.
- Open your Word document and click File
This opens the backstage view. Ensure the document contains a table of contents created with the built-in TOC tool under References > Table of Contents. - Select Export from the left sidebar
Do not use Save As. The Export menu provides the correct PDF options dialog. - Click the Create PDF/XPS button
A file save dialog opens. Choose a location and file name. - Click the Options button in the file save dialog
This opens the PDF export options dialog. It is not the same as the Word Options dialog. - Under “Publish what”, select “Document with markup”
This option tells Word to include field codes and hyperlinks in the PDF output. If you select “Document”, Word strips hyperlinks from the TOC. - Check the box “Create bookmarks using headings”
This adds PDF bookmarks based on your heading styles. These bookmarks act as a secondary navigation system if the TOC hyperlinks still fail. - Click OK to close the Options dialog, then click Publish
Word exports the document to PDF. Open the PDF and test each TOC entry by clicking it. The cursor should jump to the corresponding heading.
If the TOC Hyperlinks Still Do Not Work After Export
Two additional settings can interfere with hyperlink preservation. Check both before exporting again.
“Preserve fidelity when sharing this document” Setting
Word has a compatibility option that can strip hyperlinks during export. To disable it:
- Click File > Options > Advanced
Scroll to the “Preserve fidelity when sharing this document” section. - Clear the checkbox “Save form data as delimited text file”
This setting is unrelated to forms; it controls how Word handles field codes during export. Clearing it preserves TOC hyperlinks. - Click OK and repeat the Export steps above
Test the PDF again.
“Create bookmarks using headings” Replaces Missing TOC Links
If the TOC hyperlinks remain broken, the PDF bookmarks created from headings provide a fallback. Open the PDF’s bookmarks pane (usually on the left side in Adobe Reader or Edge). Each heading appears as a clickable bookmark. This is not a fix for the TOC itself but gives readers a working navigation method.
Word Online vs Desktop: TOC Hyperlink Behavior in PDF Export
Word for the web does not support PDF export with hyperlink options. The desktop version is required to preserve TOC hyperlinks. The table below summarizes the differences.
| Item | Word Desktop (Export menu) | Word for the web |
|---|---|---|
| Hyperlink preservation setting | Available via Options button | Not available |
| Default TOC hyperlink behavior | Hyperlinks removed unless “Document with markup” is selected | Hyperlinks always removed |
| Bookmark creation from headings | Optional checkbox | Not supported |
| Workaround for missing TOC links | Use “Create bookmarks using headings” | None |
Word for Mac also uses the Export menu but the Options dialog may be labeled differently. Look for the “Publish what” dropdown and set it to “Document with markup”. Mac versions of Word do not have the “Save form data as delimited text file” setting, so checking the bookmark option is the only fallback.
After applying the correct export settings, your PDF table of contents will contain working hyperlinks. Always use the Export menu and select “Document with markup” in the Options dialog. If you frequently export documents with TOCs, consider creating a macro that applies these settings automatically. Go to View > Macros > Record Macro, name it “ExportPDFWithLinks”, and perform the Export steps once. Word will record the clicks so you can replay them later.