How to Tag Hyperlinks That Span Two Lines in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

In Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, hyperlinks that span across two lines can result in multiple object references, causing accessibility issues. Today’s post is a step-by-step guide that explains how to resolve the problem by removing duplicate object references and properly recreating the hyperlink, ensuring it is both functional and accessible.

Video Guide

The Problem: Multiple Object References for Spanning Links

When a hyperlink spans two lines in a PDF, Adobe Acrobat Pro DC tends to treat the two lines as separate entities. As a result, the software assigns two different object references to the same hyperlink, creating redundancy that complicates navigation for users relying on assistive technologies.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Hyperlinks That Span Two Lines

1. Copy the Hyperlink

Start by copying the existing hyperlink to your clipboard. This ensures you have the URL saved for later use.

• Right-click on the hyperlink in the PDF document.
• Select “Copy Link Location.”
• Paste the URL into a temporary location, such as Notepad, to store it safely for later use.

2. Delete the Link and Object References

Next, delete the hyperlink along with its object references from the PDF:

• Open the Tags panel in Adobe Acrobat.
• Locate the link tag and delete the link object references associated with it.
• Afterward, right-click the hyperlink in the PDF document and select “Delete.”

At this stage, the text remains in the document, but the hyperlink and its object references are removed.

3. Recreate the Hyperlink

To restore the hyperlink, follow these steps:

• Highlight the text that should be hyperlinked.
• Right-click the text and choose “Create Link.”
• In the “Create Link” dialog, choose the following settings:
  • Link Type: Select “Invisible Rectangle.”
  • Link Action: Choose “Open a web page.”
• Click “Next” and paste the URL from Notepad into the provided field.

This step recreates the hyperlink, but the object reference might still be missing.

4. Check for Object References

After recreating the hyperlink, check the tags panel to verify that the object reference has been generated:

• Look under the link parent tag to confirm if an object reference appears for the hyperlink.
• If the object reference is present, the hyperlink is correctly configured. If not, proceed to the next step.

5. Locate Unmarked Annotations Using Accessibility Tags

If the object reference hasn’t been created automatically, locate and tag it manually:

• Open the Accessibility Tags window.
• Click the Options button and select “Find.”
• In the dropdown, choose “Unmarked Annotations” and search the page.

This search will highlight unmarked annotations related to your hyperlink.

6. Tag the Link Element Properly

Once the unmarked annotation is located, tag it to ensure it is correctly associated with the hyperlink:

• Select the unmarked annotation.
• Right-click in the Accessibility Tags window and select “Tag Element.”
• Confirm the element is tagged as a hyperlink, ensuring the object reference is attached to the link parent tag.

7. Verify the Fix

Now that the link object reference is correctly tagged, verify that only one object reference exists for the hyperlink:

• Recheck the tags panel to ensure there is only one object reference under the link parent tag.
• Use assistive technology (e.g., a screen reader) to test the link and ensure it functions as intended.

Download the Free Section 508 Checklist for PDF Accessibility:

By following these steps, hyperlinks that span two lines in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC can be fixed, eliminating multiple object references and ensuring proper functionality. Removing redundant references and manually tagging unmarked annotations helps maintain accessibility compliance, making the document easier to navigate for all users, including those who rely on assistive technology.

Best Practices for Accessible Links

• Always verify that hyperlinks have a single object reference in the tags panel, especially if they span multiple lines.
• Test the PDF with assistive technologies to ensure proper link functionality.
• When deleting and recreating links, keep a backup of the hyperlink URL to avoid data loss.
• Regularly review your PDFs for accessibility issues and apply these methods to resolve any link-related problems.

By following this process, hyperlinks in PDFs will remain both functional and accessible, providing a better user experience for all.

Let me be your champion for inclusion. I offer tailored solutions (and self-paced courses!) to ensure your documents meet and exceed compliance expectations. For more detailed insights, tutorials, and in-depth discussions on accessibility and related topics, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel: The Accessibility Guy on YouTube. Subscribe for regular updates!