Interactive PDF Export from InDesign — AdobeHub Tutorials
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Tutorial · InDesign

Interactive PDF Export from InDesign

Create interactive PDFs in Adobe InDesign — hyperlinks, buttons, form fields, page transitions and embedded video for digital brochures.

Adobe InDesign layout artwork

Why interactive PDF

Interactive PDFs are great for digital brochures, sales decks and forms that need to look the same on every device. They open in any PDF reader, no app or login needed, and support hyperlinks, navigation buttons, form fields and even video.

Set up the document

File → New → Document → Web preset. Choose 1920×1080 or 1280×800 if the PDF will be viewed full-screen on monitors. Use RGB color so embedded video matches on-screen color.

Hyperlinks

Select text or a frame, open Window → Interactive → Hyperlinks, click the New Hyperlink icon. Link to URLs, email addresses or other pages in the document. URL links should always include https:// or they won't resolve.

Buttons and actions

Convert any frame to a button via Window → Interactive → Buttons and Forms. Add actions like Go To Next Page, Go To URL or Show/Hide Buttons. Define rollover and click appearances for visual feedback.

Form fields

Use the same Buttons and Forms panel to insert text fields, checkboxes, radio buttons and signature fields. Set tab order with Object → Interactive → Set Tab Order so users can press Tab through your form in logical sequence.

Page transitions

Window → Interactive → Page Transitions. Apply Fade or Push to all pages for a presentation feel. They activate when the PDF is opened in Full Screen mode.

Embedded media

Place an MP4 with File → Place. Open the Media panel to choose poster image and controller skin. Keep videos under 50 MB — most PDF readers struggle past that.

Export settings

File → Export → Interactive PDF. Tick Include Hyperlinks, Use Structure for Tab Order, Embed Page Thumbnails and Create Tagged PDF for accessibility. Result: a single file that works offline and respects your typography pixel-perfectly.