Fix List of Illustrations Links Not Working When Converting Word to PDF
Question details
The Table of Contents links function correctly after converting a Word document to PDF, but the links in the List of Illustrations or images do not work.
- Product
- Word to PDF Conversion
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A user is exporting a Word document containing both a Table of Contents and a List of Illustrations into a PDF format, expecting all reference links to remain clickable.
- Observed behavior
- While the main Table of Contents retains its interactive hyperlinks in the exported PDF, the page-number links associated with the List of Illustrations become plain text or unresponsive cross-references.
Verify that the links in your List of Illustrations are fully clickable within the original Word document before attempting the PDF conversion.
Rebuild the List of Illustrations with Hyperlink Fields
Ensure the List of Illustrations uses valid hyperlink fields instead of static text or unsupported cross-references so they export correctly.
Sometimes, the List of Illustrations is generated using plain text or basic cross-references that PDF converters cannot interpret as actionable links. Rebuilding the list with the correct hyperlink settings forces the software to create interactive bookmarks.
Highlight your current List of Illustrations in the Word document and delete it completely to avoid conflicting fields.
Navigate to the 'References' tab on the top ribbon and click on 'Insert Table of Figures'.
In the Table of Figures dialog box, ensure the 'Use hyperlinks instead of page numbers' checkbox is ticked, then click 'OK'.
Right-click anywhere on the newly generated list, select 'Update Field', and choose 'Update entire table' before saving your document as a PDF.
Use the Built-In PDF Export Feature
Avoid using 'Print to PDF' virtual printers, as they flatten the document and strip away interactive links.
Test Links in a Dedicated PDF Reader
Verify the functionality of your exported PDF using professional PDF software rather than an internet browser.
Convert Word to PDF Seamlessly with WPS Office
If you frequently encounter broken links during document conversion, WPS Office provides an advanced built-in 'Export to PDF' tool. It is specifically optimized to perfectly retain your Table of Contents, List of Illustrations, and all internal document hyperlinks without requiring complex configurations.
- 1. Open your document: Launch WPS Office and open the Word document containing your List of Illustrations.
- 2. Navigate to the Export tool: Click the 'Menu' button in the upper-left corner and select 'Export to PDF'.
- 3. Enable hyperlink preservation: In the Export to PDF dialog box, click on 'Advanced settings' and ensure the 'Export hyperlinks' option is checked.
- 4. Complete the conversion: Click 'Export' to generate a high-quality PDF where all figure and illustration links function flawlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Table of Contents links work but my List of Illustrations links do not?
This happens because the Table of Contents automatically generates hyperlink fields by default, whereas the List of Illustrations sometimes defaults to standard cross-references or plain text. You must explicitly check 'Use hyperlinks instead of page numbers' when inserting the Table of Figures.
Does using 'Print to PDF' remove internal document links?
Yes. The 'Print to PDF' function acts like a physical printer, flattening your document into images. It removes all interactive metadata, including TOC bookmarks and illustration hyperlinks. Always use 'Save As' or an 'Export to PDF' feature instead.
Why do the links work in Word but break when viewed in a web browser PDF viewer?
Web browsers often use lightweight PDF renderers that may fail to process complex internal document cross-references. To ensure the links were exported correctly, test the PDF using a dedicated desktop application like WPS PDF or Acrobat Reader.
How can I update all fields in my document before exporting to PDF?
You can quickly update every field in your document by pressing 'Ctrl + A' to select all text, then pressing 'F9'. When prompted, select 'Update entire table' for any index, TOC, or List of Illustrations.
