Cross-reference links (e.g., table of content, table of figures) not clickable when export/save as PDF in Word 2019 (Windows 10)

Question

Hi,

Converting a Word file to a well-formatted PDF with functional cross-reference links was easy in the past. The built-in function "export-create PDF/XPS" or "save as PDF" works well until this month (Oct. 2021). I used to export PDF documents on regular basis, however, I found the built-in export/save as function stops creating PDF with clickable cross-reference links any more. The table of content (TOC) becomes plain texts along with all the cross-references embedded. On the contrary, the http hyperlinks pointing to websites still work.

When I check my previous PDFs, I found that as late as Aug. 2021, the export/save as function still produced a PDF with clickable TOC. As a control test, I opend the very same Word file (the August one) and try export it again. Guess what? The cross-reference links broke just like any other files. This indicates that this phenomenon seems to be related to an update of Word (or Windows) within the past 2 months.

I'm looking for a solution to get this function back to normal. Anyone bumps into the same issue like mine? How do you fix it?

My environment:

Word version 2019 (build 14430.20270 Click-to-Run)

Windows 10 Pro 20H2 19042.1237 (Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.3530.0)

Answer 1

As of this evening, Doug Robbins reported that it is working. I can confirm.

Here, the links in the pdf are working when the document is saved as a pdf from Word Version 2109 (Build 14430.20306 Click-to-Run) Current Channel.

Same for me, same release, in Office 365, 32-bit version. (Doug is using the 64-bit version.)

Answer 2

Microsoft has confirmed that an "e-brake" (patch) has "now reached 100% rollout for Production and Insiders. If users are still encountering the issue, closing any open Office apps and re-opening Word may be required."