How to Edit InDesign Links in Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017
Question details
The user is unable to modify links exported from InDesign using the standard Edit Text and Images tool in Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017, although this worked in older versions like Acrobat X.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to update or modify interactive hyperlinks within a PDF file that was originally designed and exported from Adobe InDesign.
- Observed behavior
- The Edit Text and Images tool does not recognize the hyperlinks, preventing the user from selecting or changing the link destination.
Ensure you have the correct permissions to modify the PDF file. Keep in mind that modern PDF editors often classify interactive elements like InDesign links as form fields or annotations rather than standard base text.
Use Prepare Form Mode to Edit Links
Because links exported from InDesign are often processed as PDF form fields, you need to use the Prepare Form tool to select and modify them.
In newer versions of Acrobat, interactive elements from creative software are handled differently to preserve functionality. The standard 'Edit Text and Images' tool only modifies the base layer of the document, which is why it cannot interact with the overlaying form field links.
Launch Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017 and open the PDF file containing the InDesign links you wish to modify.
Click on the 'Tools' menu at the top of the interface. Scroll down to the 'Forms & Signatures' section and click on 'Prepare Form'.
Navigate to the page with the link. In Prepare Form mode, the interactive link will appear as a selectable rectangular field box.
Right-click the link field and select 'Properties' from the context menu. Go to the 'Actions' tab, select the existing web link action, and click 'Edit' to update the URL. Click 'OK' and close the properties dialog.
Use WPS PDF to Effortlessly Edit Document Links
WPS Office includes a robust PDF editor that simplifies the process of managing interactive elements. Whether your links are text-based or form fields, WPS PDF provides an intuitive interface to add, edit, or remove hyperlinks without navigating complex menus.
- 1. Open the PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open your target PDF file using the integrated WPS PDF application.
- 2. Navigate to the Edit tab: Click on the 'Edit' tab located on the top ribbon menu to access the PDF modification tools.
- 3. Select the Link tool: Click the 'Link' button on the toolbar. This will highlight all editable hyperlinks in your document.
- 4. Modify the link properties: Double-click the link area you want to change. A dialog box will appear where you can enter a new web page URL or jump-to-page destination, then click 'OK' to save.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I edit links with the Edit Text tool in Acrobat?
The Edit Text and Images tool is designed to modify the base content (text characters and images) of a PDF. Hyperlinks exported from InDesign are typically generated as overlaying interactive annotations or form fields, which require specific link-editing or form-editing tools to modify.
How do I remove a hyperlink from a PDF completely?
To completely remove a link, open the 'Edit PDF' or 'Prepare Form' tool, locate the clickable link box, right-click it, and select 'Delete'. This removes the interactive linking area while leaving the underlying visible text untouched.
Are all InDesign hyperlinks exported as form fields?
Not necessarily. It depends on your specific export settings in InDesign. When you choose to export as an 'Interactive PDF' or check the option to include hyperlinks, the links may be converted to specialized form fields or annotations to ensure they function correctly in the resulting document.
