How to Scale PDF Pages Without Losing Bookmarks and Links
Question details
The user needs to adjust the size or scale of PDF pages without stripping the document of its existing bookmarks and functional hyperlinks.
- Product
- PDF Editor
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Resizing or scaling the dimensions of an existing PDF document for printing or formatting purposes.
- Observed behavior
- Scaling pages by using the "Print to PDF" method flattens the document, which completely removes interactive bookmarks and functional hyperlinks even if the link text is still visible.
Always create and save a backup copy of your original PDF document before performing bulk scaling operations to ensure no accidental data loss occurs.
Use the Preflight Tool in Adobe Acrobat Pro
Instead of printing to a new PDF, use Acrobat's built-in Preflight tool to safely adjust page sizes while preserving the document's structural integrity.
The standard "Print to PDF" function acts as a virtual printer that flattens your document into a pure visual representation. This inherently destroys interactive elements like hyperlinks, forms, and bookmarks.
By using the Preflight tool, the software modifies the underlying page geometry metadata rather than flattening the file, keeping all your navigation structures completely intact.
Open your original document in Acrobat Pro DC. Navigate to the 'Tools' tab, scroll down to the 'Protect & Standardize' section, and click on 'Print Production'.
In the right-hand Print Production pane, select 'Preflight' to open the profile configuration window.
In the Preflight search bar, type 'Scale pages' or 'Resize pages' to locate the specific fixups designed for page geometry adjustments.
Select the appropriate scaling profile (e.g., Scale pages to A4), click the 'Analyze and fix' button, and choose a destination to save your newly scaled PDF.
Resize and Edit PDFs Safely with WPS Office
WPS Office provides a highly capable, built-in PDF editor that allows you to intuitively manage page dimensions, crop pages, and edit document structures without losing important interactive elements.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF file you wish to resize.
- 2. Navigate to page tools: Go to the 'Page' tab on the top ribbon menu to access all page management features.
- 3. Adjust page size: Click on 'Page Size' or 'Page Setup' to input your new desired dimensions or select a standard paper size.
- 4. Apply and check links: Apply the changes to your selected pages. Your document will scale proportionally while keeping all bookmarks and hyperlinks perfectly intact.
- 5. Save the document: Click 'Save' or 'Save As' to store your newly formatted PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my hyperlinks disappear when I use 'Print to PDF'?
The 'Print to PDF' function translates your document into a flattened visual format, similar to printing on physical paper. This process strips out non-visual metadata, meaning interactive elements like hyperlinks and bookmarks are permanently removed.
Can I scale a specific range of pages instead of the whole PDF?
Yes. When using professional PDF scaling tools or page setup features, you are usually prompted to specify a page range. You can apply the new dimensions to a single page, a specific range, or the entire document.
Does scaling down a PDF page also reduce the file size?
Not necessarily. Scaling changes the physical dimensions or layout of the pages on the screen or paper, but it does not inherently compress the underlying data. To reduce file size, you must use a dedicated 'Compress PDF' tool to optimize images and fonts.
