Fix Acrobat Changing Hash Symbols (#) to %23 in PDF Links
Question details
The user needs a way to stop Adobe Acrobat from converting hash symbols (#) into %23 when adding external URLs to a PDF document.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Adding an external URL that contains a hash symbol (such as an anchor or fragment link) into a PDF file.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat incorrectly URL-encodes the hash symbol as %23, which alters the link and causes it to fail when clicked by the reader.
Ensure you have an active internet connection to download software updates or access online URL shortener services.
Update Adobe Acrobat to the Latest Version
Installing the latest software update is the most permanent fix, as recent patches address this specific URL encoding bug.
Software updates frequently include bug fixes for URL translation errors. A known Windows update combined with the latest Acrobat patch resolves the issue where the hash symbol (#) is incorrectly translated to %23.
Open Adobe Acrobat, navigate to the Help menu at the top, and select Check for Updates.
Follow the on-screen prompts to download and install the latest patches available for your version.
Once updated, open your PDF document, delete the broken link, and recreate it by pasting the original URL with the hash symbol.
Click the newly created link within the PDF to verify that your browser opens the URL with the hash symbol intact.
Use a URL Shortener as a Workaround
If you are using an older, unsupported version like Acrobat CS6, bypassing the symbol entirely with a shortened URL is an effective temporary fix.
Add PDF Links Without Encoding Errors Using WPS Office
WPS Office offers a comprehensive, easy-to-use PDF editor that correctly processes external URLs without erroneously modifying hash symbols or anchor tags.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document you wish to edit.
- 2. Select the link tool: Navigate to the Edit tab on the top ribbon and click the Link button.
- 3. Define the clickable area: Use your mouse to drag and draw a rectangle where you want the hyperlink to be placed.
- 4. Insert the URL: In the pop-up dialog, choose 'Open a web page', paste your full URL including the hash symbol (#), and click OK.
- 5. Save the file: Save your PDF document to apply the correct link formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does %23 appear instead of a hash symbol in URLs?
%23 is the standard HTML URL-encoded equivalent of the hash symbol (#). Older or unpatched software versions mistakenly apply URL encoding to characters that should be left intact when creating hyperlinks.
Will this encoding issue affect users opening the PDF on Mac or mobile?
Yes. If the link is saved inside the PDF file with %23 instead of a hash, the destination web server may fail to recognize the anchor tag, causing a broken link regardless of the device opening the document.
Can I manually edit the %23 back to a hash symbol in Acrobat?
If your Acrobat software is not updated, manually editing the link properties to a hash symbol may still result in the software reverting it back to %23 upon saving. Updating the software or using a URL shortener is required to permanently resolve it.
