How to Add Links To PDF
Interactive PDFs with clickable links to websites, email addresses, or other pages within the document are far more useful than static ones. Linking a table of contents to its chapters, embedding URLs behind call-to-action buttons, or adding email contact links turns a passive document into a navigable resource. SublimePDF lets you add hyperlinks and internal page links to any PDF.
Follow the step-by-step instructions below, then use the free tool directly — no registration or download required.
Open Tool →How to Add Links To PDF — Step by Step
Upload your PDF
Open the Add Links tool and upload your document. The editor displays all pages with the ability to zoom in for precise link placement.
Draw a link region
Click and drag to draw a rectangle over the text or area you want to make clickable. This rectangle defines the clickable zone—it can cover a single word, a sentence, a button graphic, or an entire image.
Set the link destination
Choose the link type: URL (opens a website), Email (opens a mail client with a pre-filled address), or Internal Page (jumps to a specific page in the same PDF). Enter the destination URL, email address, or target page number.
Style the link appearance
Choose whether the link region has a visible border (thin blue rectangle is standard) or is invisible. For links over existing colored buttons or underlined text, an invisible border looks cleaner.
Add more links and save
Continue adding links throughout the document. The sidebar lists all links with their page, type, and destination for easy review. Click 'Apply' to embed all links and download the interactive PDF.
Pro Tips
- 💡 For a clickable table of contents, draw link regions over each chapter title and set them as Internal Page links pointing to the correct page numbers.
- 💡 Use invisible link borders when placing links over text that is already styled as a hyperlink (blue and underlined) to avoid double borders.
- 💡 Always test links after downloading by opening the PDF in a reader and clicking each one. Some PDF viewers handle links differently.
- 💡 When linking to websites, include the full URL with https:// to ensure compatibility across all PDF readers.
Privacy & Security
All processing happens directly in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to any server — they remain on your device throughout the entire process. SublimePDF uses WebAssembly technology for fast, secure, client-side processing.
Works Everywhere
This tool works on any modern browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — on desktop, tablet, or mobile. No software to install. PDF is an open ISO standard supported by all major platforms.
How to Add Links To PDF — FAQ
Do links work in all PDF readers?
Can I link to a specific section within another PDF?
How do I create an email link with a pre-filled subject line?
Can I remove or edit links later?
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