Member Avatar for Ehart

Im trying to convert a word (2007) doc to a pdf (acrobat version 8) and have pathed directory links but sthey wont show up in the pdf. Is there anyway to convert a doc to a pdf with these links in tact?

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As clarified, the problem only shows up for links that point to network/directory locations; was right to point at the conversion step, but the fix usually requires a couple of specific checks and a small normalization pass in Word so the converter can turn those paths into real PDF links.

  • Confirm each path is a real Word hyperlink (right‑click -> Edit Hyperlink) or show field codes (Alt+F9) and look for HYPERLINK fields. If the Address box is empty, recreate the link (select path, Ctrl+K).

  • Use a full UNC or file URI in the hyperlink Address rather than plain text. Examples:

    \\server\share\folder\file.doc

    file://server/share/folder/file.doc

    file:///C:/folder/file.doc

  • Many converters that act like a printer will drop link information. Use a PDF-exporter that preserves document hyperlinks (not a purely print-based driver).

  • If you link to a folder (no file), some converters discard the link — link to a file inside the folder (for example an index file) or add a tiny placeholder file to target.

If there are many links, normalize them with this VBA macro (backup the document first). It converts UNC and drive-letter paths to file: URIs so most PDF makers will keep them:

Sub NormalizeFileHyperlinks()
    Dim h As Hyperlink
    Dim addr As String
    For Each h In ActiveDocument.Hyperlinks
        If Len(h.Address) > 0 Then
            addr = h.Address
            If Left(addr, 2) = "\\" Then
                addr = "file://" & Mid(addr, 3)
                addr = Replace(addr, "\", "/")
                h.Address = addr
            ElseIf Len(addr) >= 3 And Mid(addr, 2, 1) = ":" Then
                addr = "file:///" & Replace(addr, "\", "/")
                h.Address = addr
            End If
        End If
    Next h
End Sub

If links still appear in the PDF but do not open, check the PDF viewer’s trust/security settings (some installations block file:// launches) and test on another machine. Applying Office/Acrobat updates can also fix conversion glitches.

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Member Avatar for bobbyraw

Im trying to convert a word (2007) doc to a pdf (acrobat version 8) and have pathed directory links but sthey wont show up in the pdf. Is there anyway to convert a doc to a pdf with these links in tact?

underline section what does that mean, to convert from doc to pdf you have to either have the conversion plugin installed in office or use a 3rd party software like cute pdf.

Member Avatar for Ehart

i mean i can convert a doc to pdf and all hyperlinks work fine, but when i try to convert with links to network files (or directory files) they will not show. i have to then go and relink all within acrobat.

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