How to Convert Word to PDF Hyperlinks

To save a Word document as a PDF only requires the Adobe PDF print driver to "print" the document to a PDF file. However, when Word documents are printed to PDF format, hyperlinks and other reference points are lost. To convert Word documents to PDF while retaining hyperlinks, the Word document must be published to PDF format. To accomplish this task, a free "Save as PDF and XPS" add-on is available through Microsoft. When a Word 2007 (or above) document is published using the add-in, hyperlinks are retained in the PDF file.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Microsoft Word 2007 (or above) installed

Instructions

Install the Save as PDF and XPS Add-on

1. Click the Windows "Start" button and then click "All Programs."

2. Click the Microsoft Office folder and then click the link for Microsoft Word 2007 to open the application.

3. Click the Microsoft Office button located at the top left of the Word interface. The context menu will appear.

4. Click the "Save As" option from the context menu.

5. Select the "Find Add-Ins for Other File Formats" option. A Windows Help interface will appear. The link to download and install the Save As PDF and XPS add-in will be included on this page.

6. Click the "Install and use the Save as PDF and XPS add-in from Microsoft" link.

7. Click the "Microsoft Save as PDF or XPS Add-in for 2007 Microsoft Office programs" link and then click the "Download" button.

8. Click the "Save File" button and save the installation file to the desktop.

9. Double-click the installation file, once downloaded, to install the add-in.

10. Check the checkbox on the installation interface to accept the Terms of Use and install the program.

11. Click the "OK" button when the "installation is Complete" dialog box appears. The add-in has been installed to the Word 2007 application.

Publish Word 2007 Document as PDF with Hyperlinks

1. Right-click on the document containing hyperlinks to publish to PDF format.

2. Click "Open With..." and then select "Microsoft Word 2007" from the menu.

3. Click the Microsoft Office button and then click "Save As."

4. Select the "PDF or XPS" option. The PDF interface will appear.

5. Click the Publish button to publish the document as a PDF and convert the Word hyperlinks to working hyperlinks in the PDF.

6. Test the PDF by opening in a compatible PDF reader and clicking on a hyperlink.

References

• Microsoft.com: Save a File in PDF Format - Word

Resources

• Micorosoft.com: 2007 Microsoft Office Add-in: Microsoft Save as PDF or XPS -- Download Page