Word PDF Export: List of figures/list of tables links not working

Question

Problem:
When I export my PhD thesis Word document to PDF using the option "Export > Create PDF/XPS" the list of figures and the list of tables feature incorrect links. These links refer to the original .docx file and - instead of jumping to the corresponding figure/table - Adobe Reader unsuccessfully attempts to open this Word file when clicking on the links. The table of content in the same document is exported correctly. Here the links refer to the respective sections of the text and Adobe PDF jumps to them when the link is clicked.

Workaround:
I was able to solve this problem manually using Vasco Névoa's workaround posted in this closed thread: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/office/en-US/d96c62a7-351c-45ce-bb0c-009ce8ee6764/list-of-figures-link-from-pdf-to-word-instead-of-quotin-documentquot-search?forum=word

I right-clicked each line in the list and clicked "Toogle Field Code". I then deleted everything within the first set of quotation marks ("file: ......") so that each hyperlink had the following format: { HYPERLINK \l "_TocXXXXXXXX" }

Background:
I use Microsoft® Word for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2201 Build 16.0.14827.20186) 64-bit on a fully updated Windows 11 PC. The file was saved with this version to .docx. The file might have been initially created on an older Word version for Mac OS; however, I actually think that I created it about 2 years ago using a then up-to-date version of Word on Windows. My web search gives the impression that people faced similar issues with various versions of Word. According to other posts, the issue might be caused by the fact that my tables and figures are within text boxes.
@ Microsoft: I can provide you with the file causing the problem via private message/email.

Answer 1

Hi @Urs van Wintkers ,
I suggest you refer to this similar thread, I found this behavior is related to update for Office: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/office-365/table-of-contents-links-not-working-when-save-as-pdf/m-p/2839238
In my opinion, you can give a feedback to Microsoft about this problem:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/how-do-i-give-feedback-on-microsoft-office-2b102d44-b43f-4dd2-9ff4-23cf144cfb11
Microsoft values your opinion. Your feedback goes directly to our engineers and helps us shape the future of Microsoft products and services for all our users.

And as a workaround, you can try to roll back to the version without this problem, for example: 16.0.14326.20404

Just checking in to see if the information was helpful. Please let us know if you would like further assistance.

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Answer 2

When I test this, I get inconclusive results. However, in most cases, I see what you see: the table of figures hyperlinks in the resulting PDF are broken.

I recommend that you post feedback for Microsoft on this issue; see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/how-do-i-give-feedback-on-microsoft-office-2b102d44-b43f-4dd2-9ff4-23cf144cfb11.