Pasting a URL into a Word document usually makes it clickable. Exporting that doc as a PDF sometimes keeps the link, sometimes doesn't, and you only notice when a reader complains they can't click through.
Links in PDFs are their own layer. If they didn't survive the export, you can add them back manually — to web pages, email addresses, or other pages in the same document.
Identify the dead links
Open the PDF in any reader and try clicking. URLs that look blue and underlined but don't respond aren't really links — they're just styled text.
Make a list of every URL, email, and cross-reference that should be active. Long bibliographies are the usual culprits.
Add the links in the editor
Open the PDF in Flint's editor. Select the text or area you want clickable, and add a link — paste the URL, an email (with mailto:), or pick a target page within the same document.
Link boxes are invisible by default. The underlying text stays as-is; clicking it triggers the link.
Test in a real reader
Save the file and open it in Preview, Adobe Reader, or your browser. Click every link you added. Check that internal links land on the right page and external links open in the right tab.
If you spot a broken link, jump back into the editor and fix it. Links don't degrade once they're saved into the PDF.
FAQ
Why did my URLs lose their links when exporting from Word?
Some export pipelines strip hyperlinks. Word usually preserves them; "Print to PDF" often doesn't. Re-export using "Save As PDF" with hyperlinks enabled, or add the links back in Flint's editor.
Can I link to a specific page in the same PDF?
Yes. Internal links target a page number and optionally a zoom level. Useful for clickable contents pages and "see page 23" cross-references.
Do mailto links work in PDFs?
Yes. The reader's default email client opens with a new message addressed to that recipient.
Can I make an image clickable?
Yes. Add a link box over the image. The image stays visual; the link sits on top.
Live links turn a PDF from a printed page into something readers can act on. Open yours in Flint's editor and make every reference clickable.