How to Get Interactive PDF Support for Packaged InDesign Files
Question details
The user is looking for a way to include interactive PDF options when packaging Adobe InDesign files and needs to know which products support this feature.
- Product
- Adobe InDesign
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Packaging a project in Adobe InDesign and needing an interactive PDF export option instead of a standard print PDF.
- Observed behavior
- The user is unsure how to generate an interactive PDF during the packaging workflow or which Adobe tools fully support this functionality.
Ensure you have the latest versions of Adobe InDesign and Adobe Acrobat installed to access the most up-to-date PDF export options and interactive features.
Exporting Interactive PDFs Manually from InDesign
Since the default packaging tool focuses on print PDFs, exporting manually as an Interactive PDF ensures that all links, buttons, and rich media are preserved.
While the InDesign 'Package' feature is excellent for gathering fonts and linked graphics, it typically defaults to standard Print PDF settings. To retain interactivity, you should export the file specifically as an Interactive PDF alongside your packaged folder.
With your finished project open in Adobe InDesign, navigate to 'File' in the top menu bar and select 'Export'.
In the Export dialog box, change the format dropdown menu from 'Adobe PDF (Print)' to 'Adobe PDF (Interactive)'.
Adjust your viewing and presentation settings in the interactive export window, ensuring forms and media options are toggled on.
Click 'Export' to generate the file, which you can then manually place into your packaged InDesign project folder.
Submit a Feature Request for Packaging Workflows
If you require automated interactive PDF generation directly within the InDesign 'Package' dialogue, you can request this feature from Adobe.
Easily View and Interact with PDFs using WPS Office
Once you have exported your interactive PDF, WPS Office provides a powerful, lightweight, and free PDF reader and editor to view, fill, and interact with your documents seamlessly without needing heavy premium software.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your device.
- 2. Open WPS PDF: Launch the WPS Office suite and click on the 'PDF' tab to open the dedicated PDF toolkit.
- 3. Open Your File: Click 'Open PDF' and select the interactive PDF file you exported from InDesign.
- 4. Interact with Elements: Navigate through your document, clicking on hyperlinks, filling out forms, or triggering interactive buttons directly within the WPS PDF viewer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the InDesign Package feature automatically create interactive PDFs?
No, by default, the InDesign package feature primarily gathers fonts and linked graphics and generates a standard Print PDF. For interactive elements, you must manually export the document as an 'Adobe PDF (Interactive)'.
Which applications support viewing interactive PDFs?
Interactive PDFs can be fully viewed and interacted with using Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Document Cloud services, and capable third-party PDF readers like WPS PDF.
Why are the buttons in my exported PDF not working?
This usually happens if the document was mistakenly exported as 'Adobe PDF (Print)'. Ensure you select the 'Adobe PDF (Interactive)' format during the export process so that buttons, media, and hyperlinks are preserved.
