top of page

Create Interactive PDF Navigation in Adobe InDesign


In this tutorial, learn how to set up an interactive button structure to an index page and create a seamless navigation system.

Click the link below to download the tutorial exercise files and follow along step by step.

Jumping to a specific page in an interactive PDF requires additional steps using a combination of Buttons and Forms and the Bookmarks panels.

To access these, go to Window > Interactive and open both of the panels.

Keep in mind that this workflow is for interactive PDF. If you were publishing the document online then there are options in the Buttons and Forms panel.

Setting up the Bookmarks

The first item in the table of contents is called About Our Company, which is on Page 4-5 in the document. This is where we'll set up the Bookmark.

  • In the Pages panel, double click Page 4.

  • In the Bookmarks panel, click the + icon to add a new bookmark. Name this bookmark About Our Company, which will make it easier to set up the button navigation.

  • Go back to the Index page and click on the About Our Company text frame.

  • In the Buttons and Forms panel, convert the object to a Button.

  • Rename this button Index 1 Button.

  • Add an Action of Go to Destination.

  • Leave the magnification on Inherit Zoom.

  • In the Appearance section, click Rollover.

  • Select the text inside of the frame and make it the orange color in the Swatches panel.

  • Click back on Normal in the Appearance section.

Here is a look at how the button settings should look like by using the steps explained above.

Now that we have the first Bookmark, repeat the same step for Page 6 in the document. For this, you'll be adding the button action to the 06 By the Numbers text frame in the Table of Contents.

You'll also notice a label in the top corner of pages 5 and 7. This can be placed on a Parent page or you can place them individually on a page. This will act as a "Return to Table of Contents" button, making it easier for viewers to easily navigate back to the TOC.

  • Click one of the Index labels and in the Buttons and Forms panel, convert the object to a button.

  • Rename the button Return to TOC.

  • Add an Action of Go to First page, since the TOC in this case is the first page in the document. If the TOC is not the first page, you'll have to create a bookmark that goes back to the Index.

Now it's the moment of truth – it's time to test out the navigation in an Interactive PDF.

  • Go to File > Export and from the file format dropdown, choose PDF (Interactive). This ensures the buttons and interactivity is maintained.

  • In the export options window, choose All Pages and Export as Spreads.

  • In the View dropdown, choose Fit Page.

  • Click Export.

Locate the PDF and open it in Adobe Acrobat for the desktop. It'll also work if you wanted to view it in Acrobat on the web.

Here is how it should look when you set up all the buttons and bookmarks.


 
 
bottom of page