PDF-UX: Bookmarks
Many PDF users are familiar with the tree-like navigation aid commonly known as “bookmarks”. Similar to a Table of Contents, bookmarks are usually provided to help users jump directly to any location in a document. However, unlike traditional Table of Contents pages, bookmarks are displayed in a separate navigation pane, allowing their use at any time, while viewing any page.
This feature is typically added by authors to assist readers in navigating the document. It can be configured in each PDF to automatically display when the document opens. As with physical books, end users may also wish to add bookmarks to their documents.
Although bookmarks can provide end users with easy, rapid access to the content they seek, they are sometimes created in less-than-ideal ways that lead to end-user frustration and reflect poorly on the author or publisher.
This PDF-UX article offers an overview of bookmarks and suggests considerations and general best practices for every PDF author, and some thoughts for PDF viewer developers as well.
PDF 2.0 “Errata Collection 2” is now available
The latest PDF 2.0 Errata Collection 2 is a complete update and replacement for the previous no-cost sponsored edition of ISO 32000-2:2020 (PDF 2.0).
June 2024 by PDF Association staff
A new members-only resource supports forensic experts tasks with examination of PDF files.
April 2024 by PDF Association staff
A new ISO extension to PDF 2.0 adds PDF support for the Khronos Group’s glTF 3D format.
