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How do I link a PDF in Illustrator?

Published in Illustrator Tutorials 3 mins read

The method to "link a PDF" in Illustrator depends on what you mean by "link." If you mean how to place a PDF into an Illustrator document, or how to add clickable hyperlinks within a PDF created from Illustrator, here's how to approach both:

1. Placing a PDF into an Illustrator Document (Linking or Embedding)

This method allows you to bring the visual content of a PDF into your Illustrator file. You can choose to link or embed the PDF.

  • Link: This option creates a reference to the original PDF file. Any changes made to the original PDF will be reflected in your Illustrator document (after you update the link). This keeps your Illustrator file size smaller.
  • Embed: This option includes all of the PDF's data within your Illustrator file. The Illustrator document becomes independent of the original PDF, but the file size increases. Changes to the original PDF will not be reflected in the Illustrator document.

Steps to Place a PDF (Link or Embed):

  1. Open your Illustrator document.
  2. Go to File > Place.
  3. Select the PDF file you want to add.
  4. Crucially: In the Place dialog box, look for the "Link" checkbox.
    • To link the PDF: Make sure the "Link" checkbox is selected.
    • To embed the PDF: Make sure the "Link" checkbox is not selected.
  5. Click "Place."
  6. Click or click-and-drag on your artboard to position and size the PDF.

2. Adding Clickable Hyperlinks to a PDF Created From Illustrator

This method allows you to add interactive links to elements within your Illustrator design so that when the design is saved as a PDF, those elements act as clickable links.

Steps to Add Hyperlinks:

  1. Create your design in Illustrator. This includes all of your artwork, text, and images.
  2. Select the object you want to make a hyperlink. This could be a text box, a shape, or an image.
  3. Open the Attributes panel (Window > Attributes). If you don't see "URL" as an option, click the menu icon in the top right corner of the Attributes panel and ensure "Show All" is checked.
  4. Enter the URL in the "URL" field. Be sure to include "http://" or "https://" at the beginning of the address.
  5. Save as PDF: When saving your file, go to File > Save As and choose "Adobe PDF (*.PDF)" as the format.
  6. In the "Save Adobe PDF" dialog box, the default settings should preserve hyperlinks, but double-check. Click "Save PDF".

Important Considerations:

  • Testing: Always test your PDF after saving to ensure that the links work correctly.
  • URL Structure: Double-check the URL structure for accuracy.
  • PDF Settings: Experiment with different PDF settings if you're having trouble with hyperlinks not working. Using the "Illustrator Default" or "High Quality Print" presets often preserves the links. Older PDF standards might cause issues.

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