File Format & Compatibility

How to Open Publisher PDF Hyperlinks in a New Browser Tab

Rana Garcia Oct 10, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants hyperlinks within a PDF exported from Microsoft Publisher to automatically open in a new browser tab.

How to Open a Publisher PDF Hyperlink in a New Browser Tab

Product: Microsoft Publisher
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Exporting a document with hyperlinks from Publisher to PDF and expecting the links to open in a new tab when clicked.
Observed behavior: Publisher does not have a reliable setting to force hyperlinks in the exported PDF to open in a new tab, as this behavior is controlled by the user's PDF viewer or browser.

Before you start

Understand that hyperlink behavior in PDF files is primarily controlled by the end-user's PDF reader or web browser settings, rather than the authoring software.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Manual Shortcuts to Open Links in a New Tab

Since Publisher cannot force a new tab upon export, users must rely on standard browser shortcuts or context menus to open links in a new tab manually.

Adding HTML tags like target="_blank" to a Publisher ScreenTip will not work because Publisher does not translate these tags into HTML behavior within the exported PDF.

The most reliable method is for the reader to control how the link opens using their system's PDF viewer or browser features.

Use the Context Menu

Right-click the hyperlink in the opened PDF document and select 'Open Link in New Tab' or 'Open Link in New Window' from the context menu.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts

Hold down the 'Ctrl' key (Windows) or 'Command' key (Mac) while clicking the hyperlink to automatically open it in a new background tab.

Use Manual Shortcuts to Open Links in a New Tab

Viewer Limitation: Modern web browsers and PDF readers inherently restrict documents from overriding user tab preferences for security and usability reasons.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Comprehensive PDF & Document Management

While Microsoft Publisher has limitations with PDF hyperlink controls, you can use WPS Office as a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. WPS Office includes a powerful built-in PDF editor to manage your documents seamlessly alongside Word, Excel, and PowerPoint alternatives.

1. Download the Software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to set up the suite on your device.
3. Edit Your Documents: Open your files directly in WPS Office and use the built-in PDF tools to manage links and annotations seamlessly.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Office file formatsBuilt-in PDF editor for creating, editing, and managing document linksLightweight architecture that runs smoothly even on older devicesFree and robust alternative to costly Office subscriptions

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use target="_blank" in Microsoft Publisher to force links to open in a new tab?

No. Adding HTML code like target="_blank" to a hyperlink ScreenTip in Publisher will not work because the software does not convert this text into active HTML behavior when exporting to PDF.

Why do my PDF hyperlinks open in the same tab instead of a new one?

PDF hyperlink behavior is determined by the default settings of the PDF viewer or the web browser being used to read the file, rather than the software that was used to create the PDF.

Is there a way to force a PDF link to open in a new window for all users?

Generally, no. For security and user-experience reasons, modern browsers and PDF readers prevent documents from forcing new windows or tabs, leaving that control up to the individual user's browser settings.

Document & File Issues