How to Display an External Image Using a PDF Button
Question details
The user wants to configure a button or link in a PDF document to open an external image rather than embedding the image directly onto the page.
- Product
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Keeping images out of printed copies and reducing file size by opening associated images via interactive PDF buttons or links.
- Observed behavior
- The user needs a method to define how viewers will access an associated image without the image being visually embedded into the primary document layout.
Decide how the PDF will be distributed. If sharing online, hosting the image on a web server is best; if sharing offline, you may need to attach the image file directly to the PDF.
Link a PDF Element to a Web-Hosted Image
The most reliable way to display an external image without embedding it is to host the image online and hyperlink a PDF button or text to its URL.
This method ensures that your PDF remains lightweight and that the image does not print alongside the document. The viewer's default web browser will handle displaying the image.
Host the external image on an accessible web server or cloud storage service and copy its direct URL.
Launch your PDF editor and open the document where you want to add the image link.
Navigate to the 'Edit' tab, select 'Link', and draw a box over the desired button area or text.
In the link properties, choose the option to 'Open a web link' and paste the URL of the external image.
Add the Image as a PDF File Attachment
If the PDF will be shared offline, attaching the image file directly to the document ensures the image travels with the PDF without altering the printable page layout.
Easily Add Interactive Links and Attachments with WPS Office
WPS Office provides a comprehensive PDF editor that makes it simple to add interactive elements like hyperlinks and file attachments, keeping your document sizes perfectly optimized.
- 1. Open WPS PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your target PDF document.
- 2. Access Edit Tools: Click on the 'Edit' tab or 'Comment' tab to access interactive tools.
- 3. Insert Link or Attachment: Select the 'Link' or 'Attachment' tool and configure it to point to your external image file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use an external image instead of embedding it?
Embedding images directly onto the page increases the PDF file size and forces the images to print. Linking to an external image keeps the document lightweight, clean, and ensures the image is only viewed when the user actively clicks the button.
What happens if I link to an image on my local hard drive?
If you use a local file path for your button link, the image will only open on your specific computer. If you send the PDF to someone else, the link will break because they do not have the image file on their drive. You must either host it online or use the PDF attachment feature.
Can I make the external image open in a new window?
Yes. When you configure a PDF button to open an external web URL, the user's system will automatically launch their default web browser to display the image in a new window or tab.
