File Sharing Problems

How to Make Word PDF Links Open for External Recipients

Partner Editor Sep 27, 2026 874 views

Question details

The user needs to share a Word document containing links to internal PDF files with external recipients without providing internal server or Microsoft account credentials.

How to Make Word PDF Links Open for External Recipients

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Sharing internal documents containing linked references with external partners or clients outside the company network.
Observed behavior: Current internal server links in the Word document prompt external users for credentials they do not have, blocking them from accessing the linked PDFs.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to a secure cloud storage service (such as OneDrive, Google Drive, or WPS Cloud) and verify that you have the organization's permission to share these specific internal PDF files externally.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Cloud Storage to Create Accessible Sharing Links

Upload the internal PDFs to a cloud service and generate public sharing links to embed in your Word document.

Internal server links only work for users connected to your organization's network. To grant external access, you must host the files on a cloud platform that supports external sharing. By replacing local links with cloud-based URLs, external recipients can view the PDFs seamlessly.

Upload PDFs to Cloud Storage

Log into your preferred cloud storage platform (e.g., OneDrive) and upload the required PDF files from your internal server.

Generate sharing links

Right-click each uploaded PDF file, select 'Share', and adjust the permission settings to 'Anyone with the link' (if permitted by your organization).

Copy the links

Click 'Copy Link' to save the generated public sharing URL for the specific PDF file to your clipboard.

Update the Word document

Open your Word document, select the existing internal link text, right-click and choose 'Edit Hyperlink' (or 'Link'), then paste the new public cloud link into the address field.

Export and share

Save the Word document. For best results and formatting consistency, go to 'File' > 'Save As' and export it as a PDF before sending it to your external recipients.

Use Cloud Storage to Create Accessible Sharing Links

Security Warning: Never share your account credentials with external users. Be aware that unrestricted 'Anyone with the link' URLs allow anyone who receives them to access and potentially forward the files.

Seamless Cloud Sharing with WPS Office

Easily Share Linked Documents with WPS Cloud

WPS Office integrates deeply with its built-in cloud service, allowing you to easily upload PDFs, generate secure external sharing links, and insert them directly into your documents in just a few clicks.

1. Log into WPS Cloud: Open WPS Office and sign in to your WPS Cloud account.
2. Upload your PDFs: Navigate to the 'Cloud' tab and upload your internal PDF files to your cloud drive.
3. Create a secure link: Right-click the uploaded PDF, click 'Share', and select 'Create Link', adjusting permissions as needed.
4. Insert into Document: Open your document in WPS Writer, highlight the target text, press Ctrl+K, and paste the WPS Cloud link.

Easily generate secure sharing links for internal PDFsHighly compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Set link expiration dates and passwords for enhanced external securityFree, lightweight, and easy-to-use alternative for document processing

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just send the PDF files as attachments instead of using links?

Yes, if the PDF files are small enough, you can attach them directly to your email alongside the Word document. However, for large files or when sharing multiple PDFs, using cloud sharing links is more efficient and prevents email bounce-backs due to size limits.

Why do internal server links ask external users for credentials?

Internal server links, such as local network paths or intranet URLs, require network authentication to verify the user is part of the organization. External recipients do not have access to this network, resulting in a credential prompt or access denial.

How do I remove an internal hyperlink from my Word document?

Right-click the hyperlinked text in your Word document and select 'Remove Hyperlink' from the context menu. The text will remain in the document, but it will no longer be clickable.

Can I set a password on the shared cloud link for better security?

Yes, most professional cloud storage services allow you to set a password and an expiration date when generating a sharing link. This ensures that even if the link is forwarded, unauthorized users cannot view the PDF without the password.

Document & File Issues