Creating cross-document button jumps

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn how to link buttons to specific locations in another document using text anchors in Adobe InDesign.

Create cross-document button jumps with text anchors in InDesign to link specific locations between documents. This method uses text anchors as destinations and buttons to trigger navigation. It helps create structured navigation across multiple documents.

Create the text anchor destination

Select the text using the Type  tool.

Select Window > Interactive > Hyperlinks.

Select the panel menu    icon, then choose New Hyperlink Destination.

Select Text Anchor from the Type menu.

Enter a name and then select OK.

Create the button with the Go To Destination action

Select the object using the Selection tool.

Select Object > Interactive > Convert to Button.

Ensure On Release or Tap is selected from the Event dropdown menu.

Select Add new action for selected event icon, then choose Go To Destination.

Choose a destination file from the Document dropdown menu.

Select a text anchor from the Destination dropdown menu.

Set a zoom level from the Zoom dropdown menu.

Export both documents to an interactive PDF

Select File > Export for the destination document.

Choose Adobe PDF (Interactive) from the Save as type dropdown menu, then select Save.

Repeat the export for the source document.

Store both PDF files in the same folder.

Open the source PDF and use the button to verify the jump.

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