Add clickable links to a PDF — explained per tool and method

2 min read·25 July 2026

Want readers of your PDF to click directly to a website, email address or other document? This guide explains how to insert or preserve clickable links — in Word, Canva, Acrobat and with a QR code as an alternative.

How do links work in a PDF?

A PDF can contain two types of links: hyperlinks (text links you click) and annotation links (invisible clickable areas over an image or button). Clickable links only work in digital PDFs — in a printed PDF they are obviously not clickable.

Preserve links from Word or Google Docs

If you type a URL or insert a hyperlink (Ctrl+K) in Word, that link stays active when exporting to PDF. Make sure to save as PDF via "Save As" → PDF (not Print to PDF — that removes links in some versions). In Google Docs: "File" → "Download as" → PDF — links remain intact.

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Add links in Canva

In Canva, select text or an element and click the chain icon (Link) in the toolbar. Enter the URL. When exporting as "PDF Standard", links remain clickable. With "PDF Print", links are sometimes removed — use Standard for digital files.

Add links in Adobe Acrobat

In Adobe Acrobat (Pro): "Tools" → "Edit PDF" → "Link" → "Add or Edit a Link". Draw a rectangle over the text or area and enter the URL. Acrobat creates a clickable area. This also works for links to other pages within the same document (internal links).

QR code as an alternative to links

If the PDF has no link support, or you want a link that also works in a printed version, use a QR code. PDFrust QR Code generates a QR code from any URL and places it in your PDF. Scannable with any smartphone — works on paper too.