Use Acrobat to Generate Hyperlinks
Acrobat 7 and 8 can identify many URLs and email addresses in a document and add hyperlinks to them. Just choose Advanced> Links> Create from URLs in Document.
It works for URLs that begin with http:// and www., and for email addresses, but fails when the URL or email address wraps to a new line of text. In that case, it creates a link for the first line, using the text on the first line. You’ll need to fix it and manually add a hyperlink to the remainder of the text.
Another workflow limitation is that if you subsequently change the document in the originating application and generate a new PDF, you’ll need to either regenerate all the hyperlinks in Acrobat, or replace the changed pages in Acrobat (Document> Replace Pages…).
Jeff Gamet is a contributing editor for Design Tools Monthly, the executive summary of graphic design news. He is also the morning editor and reviews editor for The Mac Observer and iPodObserver.com, and contributing writer for Layers Magazine and Photoshop User. He writes the InBrief column for InDesign Magazine, and is the author of “The Designer’s Guide to Mac OS X,” from Peachpit Press
When Jeff isn’t writing about the graphic design world, he’s talking about it on the Design Tools Weekly podcast with co-host Jay Nelson. He also talks about Apple and the Mac world every week on The Mac Observer’s Apple Weekly Report.
Jeff studies, tests and reviews new software and technologies for the Macintosh community as well as the design and print industries. He is a former Pre-press specialist, and has nearly 25 years experience with computer technology. Jeff trains, lectures and consults on techniques for more efficiently using Mac OS X in creative environments throughout the country.
In the rare moments when he can get away from his MacBook Pro, Jeff spends his time climbing and biking in the Colorado mountains.