Interactive PDF Design | Navigation Tabs

[@sandeepsharma3090]

Excellent demonstration of how to create interactive navigation tabs in Indesign. Thank you so much Chris.

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Much appreciated Sandeep!

[@designstash3670]

Thanks so much for the tutorial! I've not seen anyone use this tab method in a PDF, which makes it really unique to incorporate into my book cover rates sheet that I send to authors. Your instruction is super easy to follow!

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Great to hear! Thank you for the support and I'm glad you were able to utilize this video in your work - cheers!

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Interactive PDF Design | Navigation Tabs Chapters 0:00 Intro 0:39 Designing Layout/Graphic Elements 14:22 Creating Navigation Thanks for stopping by!

[@mommywalsh]

This was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much for making this tutorial!

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Great to hear and appreciate the comment!

[@lornaho1937]

I always wanted to learn how to do navigation tabs, thank you I can impress my boss with this. I will be subscribing.

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Great to hear and thanks for watching!

[@Dodopad_lord_dodo]

A brilliant tutorial and one that will make our efforts to make our existing paper diary digital SO much easier. Thank you so much!

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Appreciate the kind words - thanks for watching!

[@danny7128]

@@ChrisMorenoDesign hi Chris what would be the size of the tabs to make them smaller and more like on your intro video. I want to add 10 or more if possible can you help me thanks!

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

@@danny7128 Hi there! You could take the size of your document and divide by the number of tabs needed. That would give you a better idea of what size to make your tabs. Best of luck!

[@danny7128]

@@ChrisMorenoDesign thank you

[@ThevanBekkums]

Thank you very much for this tutorial......very nicely explained.

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@aileenludovico6836]

Thank you! I’ve been looking for this kind of tutorial for a while now.

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Thanks for watching!

[@boyfromsaturn]

Great tutorial! Thank you!

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

🙌🙌🙌

[@crearam]

Thank you so much. You are really great teacher.

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Appreciate the kind words!

[@adenbreeze]

Thank you.. much appreciated 🙏

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@piumiprasadini6349]

very clear and it helps me lot

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Glad to hear!

[@saritaprajapati8154]

Please don't stop to make video on advanced tutorial on Adobe acrobat pro DC Your teaching is very good..

[@hoangcan91]

Thank you for making my life so easier!

[@madhubhadra]

Thank you very much. I've learnt new thing in Indesign

[@WizInsight108]

Thanks for this simple informative video.

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Thanks for the support!

[@WizInsight108]

@@ChrisMorenoDesign Hi! I have a question. I have created a fillable pdf and when I export I can scroll and see all the pages. I can still click and go to the specific page. How do I get the one page- look like the one in your demo? Thanks.

[@ameerakamal5505]

Great tutorial, thank you 👍🏻

[@Fatima.Creates]

Thank you for your amazing tutorials, I have a problem that I am not able to make buttons in any master page, only in main pages.

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Greetings! I don't think I've ran into this issue before. Long workaround would be to create buttons on one main page, then copy and paste to other main pages.

[@mamta_189]

Thank you sir....

[@bibianamartinez5681]

Great! In my region cannot access Indesign CC. CanI use Adobe Pro for the same purpose? Thanks :)

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Greetings! I am not certain if this project can be recreated entirely in Adobe Pro. Apologies!

[@andreapalao4148]

Hi Chris! Excellent video, thank you very much. I just had one question. I followed each step but 8:00 at this point, I could not get this to apply to all my pages, I had to manually do it and every time I made a change I had to delete them all and re-do it. Could you please share how you did this in the first place? Thanks again for the great content!!

[@andreapalao4148]

To add to this (In case this is the reason) I have turned off the 'facing pages' option so I get individual pages but 1:42 if I click on the 'master page' option it is a two-page spread and therefore changes it back to a two-page spread.

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

@@andreapalao4148 I'm not too sure. The master pages should reflect the desired layout. I would definitely make sure InDesign is up-to-date. Thanks for watching!

[@Onewaytravic]

This has helped me so much, thanks!!

[@carminallanto8910]

Very nice! Thank you so much for this video!

[@AllisonAndersen-g1t]

This was great, super clear. NOW, I have a client asking for sub-tabs. Is this a thing? and if so, how do I create those, please?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Greetings! I'm not sure about sub-tabs, but I do have a video about Pop-up Windows which may spark some ideas: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3i3k5anirJ9mas

[@AllisonAndersen-g1t]

Thanks for your quick response. I actually figured it out. I just repeated the same steps but for a collection of interior pages. The tabs line up alongside the main tabs (in a different color) which reduces the amount of space for content, but fulfills the client's request.@@ChrisMorenoDesign

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Ahh, very cool @@AllisonAndersen-g1t!

[@lisa_and_christian]

Awesome! Thank you so much!

[@elianeotani730]

How can I make the text inside the tabs (Section 1, Sections 2) became BOLD while I navigate in pages of the entire section, to show that I am at the section?

[@preludefugue4859]

This is so cool, does it work for someone who use cellphone to browse it? Thank you.

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

It sure does! My video on Mobile & Browser Functionality will point you in the right direction: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4Orhaeuj7eIfNU

[@yiningjia6677]

Thank you so much for the tutorial which is something I am looking into for work tasks! I have a quick question, can this still apply to a PDF file converted from powerpoint? I have the content built in PPT but now want to convert to PDF format with navigation tabs. Can I import the ppt and follow steps in the video to add navigation tabs? Thank you!

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Yes, if the content is imported/created in Adobe InDesign, this method will work. Thanks for watching!

[@chrispysaid]

A nice alternative to: _move mouse over, click Selection Tool, move mouse over, click text box, Cmd+C, Cmd+V_ Is, even with the text tool still active from editing text: _Cmd+click a blank area to deselect, Cmd+Option+click&drag to create a copy_ Cmd turns your text selector into a temporary Selection Tool arrow, and holding Option and dragging something creates a duplicate to wherever you drag. Speed up your workflow with simple shortcuts! (also, if you will have more than one element with the same design properties, it's good to fully design and place the first one before you make duplicates to save yourself repeated steps. Much faster to duplicate an already-formatted piece of text than it is to format multiple duplicated text boxes!)

[@JasmineSwann]

Thank you!

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

🙌🙌🙌

[@samkinnett1291]

Thanks for the tutorial. Do you by chance sell any templates?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi Sam! Unfortunately, I do not sell any templates at this time.

[@dorismurray6112]

Hello! question is there away to make the tab change color AFTER YOU CLICK IT...(not a rollover) and it remains that new color for every page in that section, that is until you click another tab?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Greetings! I haven't tried that, but there is an "on-click" action that can be used instead of a "rollover" action. And if the tab is created in a Master page, that may do the trick for what you are trying to accomplish. Best of luck!

[@thebrinkleys5559]

Hi Chris You are brilliant and this tutorial is spot on! Once the pages are exported over to pdf, how does the person your sending it to click to get to the next page, like the "continued" pages? Will it change if they click on the bottom of the page or do I need to add a section title next page?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Thank you for the kind words! The user can scroll/click thru just like a normal PDF. Actually, the user does not even need to click on the navigation tabs - they are an added bonus. Hope this helps!

[@thebrinkleys5559]

@@ChrisMorenoDesign Yes it does, thank you so much.

[@pixelfiesta]

Thanks Chris for this. Is it possible to add tabs within a page? So basically a small section within a page that has content broken up into 5 parts, so it gets revealed as the user clicks on one of the tabs. Basically just like you seen in some sites online.

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Definitely. My other interactive video may assist with some ideas, kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3i3k5anirJ9mas. Thanks for watching!

[@Bedtime024]

Tankyu

[@russos78]

Are you able to put the tabs across the top? Also, are you able to make a virtual folder that be opened and have staggered tabs at different heights that can open and close?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi Harold! Yes, you can place the tabs where ever you like. I am not sure on the virtual folder idea as I have not tested that. Thanks for stopping by!

[@trafficamnesty1937]

Hi Chris, this presentation was awesome and easy to follow but I have one question. When I exported the document the text on some of the tabs disappeared. What happened and how do I fix it?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi there! Please make sure the text and tab are on the same layer, and those two elements are grouped before creating the button. Hope this helps and thanks for stopping by!

[@michaelureel7501]

Great video Chris! Question -- do you know if these tabs will work on a tablet? Thanks!

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

I haven't personally tested on a tablet, but clients of mine have said they work!

[@pilotjoe1291]

thanks so much

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

No problem!

[@asespino]

Chris. Nice video. I have a 100 page PDF file that I would like to add those tabs to instead of using bookmarks. Is there a way of doing this?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi there! Do you mean adding tabs to a PDF without using InDesign? I am not sure about that. Thanks for watching!

[@delorispenn8976]

I created the interactive document tab using your tutorial! yay! just one question...when I export it to adobe acrobat, one of my tabs changes color from green to blue! any idea how to change this in the settings?

[@delorispenn8976]

Nevermind figured this one out!

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

No problem - you beat me to it :)

[@RohitKumar-xq3wn]

Thank you so much

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Thank you for watching!

[@EnolaHenderson]

Hello question is there away to make the tab change color after you click it

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi there and thank you for the question! I just uploaded a new video about Button Rollovers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYi3pn5pppt0orM

[@EnolaHenderson]

@@ChrisMorenoDesign thank you so much

[@mariastockman4008]

Hi Chris - is there any way to create these interactive tabs in PDF without using InDesign and sticking with some application most business groups have within MS Office Suite? Word or PowerPoint, maybe?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi! I'm not sure how to achieve this in MS Office.

[@chrispysaid]

Does ANYBODY look at a 300-page report and think "Ah good yes I'm glad I will have this to read now"

[@lactus3980]

Great Video. I want to implement same functionality in Java using pdftron library. I didn't find any solution for Java anyone can you please help?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Greetings! Thank you for the comment. Unfortunately, I do not have any Java solutions. Perhaps someone else could comment. Best of luck!

[@JulieSchokominza]

Thank you so much! This is so awesome! I just have one problem: It doesn't show the text on my tabs once I export the file to PDF. It does show it in Indesign, though. I can't see what I'm doing wrong. Anyone has an idea?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi Julie! Perhaps the text is not "grouped" with the tab/button? Any text should be grouped with the tab prior to creating the button.

[@eric78730]

Thank you for the outstanding video, Chris! I got my tabs to work, but they are only showing up on the first page. hmmmm

[@TG-li4bd]

I had the same issue.....make sure you are working in JUST the master page. It will populate the rest.

[@dirtywaterpj_dj]

Why not put guides on the master page under Layout rather than pulling them from the rulers?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Another great option 🤝

[@lorenzorenzobon2382]

✌️

[@thatrandomplug3081]

When I try to use the rectangle frame, it automatically goes to the middle of document and won’t let me drag it to the side; it just keeps duplicating.

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Greetings! I do not know why it would be doing that. Probably best to leverage an Adobe forum or Google to troubleshoot. Best of luck!

[@simran3779]

What if the data is dynamic? How we will populate the data in that case?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Great question! Could be a great thing to test as I have not worked with any dynamic content so far.

[@-sara-6236]

Thank you but just one thing, I have the video speed on ×1.75 and yet some parts were mind numbingly slow

[@claudialicea8808]

Hi Chris, I´m designing an e book, the index has 17 pop up windows, when I export to Interactive PDF I have no problem in my laptop, but in my iPad and iPhone isn´t the same, the pop up windows don´t work. What can I do? Please help me

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi Claudia! The PDF just needs to be exported a different way. My Mobile & Browser Functionality video will walk you through it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4Orhaeuj7eIfNU

[@SunnyBeeRandomTuber]

Isn't this possible to do on PowerPoint itself....and instead of InDesign use Photoshop for designing the layouts?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi Sunny! I am not sure about PowerPoint. I like utilizing Adobe CC applications when creating. Thanks for watching!

[@cokecola1982]

IN my case the navigation tab only works in the 1st page. why????

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi there! Not too certain, but make sure to double-check your work/steps. Also, if the master page route does not work, you can always set-up the tabs on one regular page, then copy/paste them to the rest of your pages. Hope this helps and thanks for stopping by!

[@cokecola1982]

@@ChrisMorenoDesign let me try. Your work is awesome. Kisses from Venezuela

[@frenchy6684]

Can this be created in adobe pro DC? I have a law firm and would like to create a virtual interactive index for court document?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi there! I prefer the workflow of Adobe InDesign, so I have not attempted to fully build this out strictly using Adobe Acrobat Pro. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful and thanks for checking out my channel!

[@frenchy6684]

@@ChrisMorenoDesign just found out you can do this in acrobat using links or bookmarks

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

@@frenchy6684 Nice!

[@amonemrefai2430]

thank you

[@marimuthumca]

Nice work man, I have one issue. The interactive button is not working in browser (Except the Chrome) please help us.

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

There is another way for it to work in a browser. Instead of using the Buttons and Forms panel to create the button, use the Hyperlinks panel. Group your elements for a button, select New Hyperlink in the Hyperlinks panel, and Link To a page or text anchor. That should do it and thanks for watching!

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi there! I just uploaded a new video that resolves this issue: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4Orhaeuj7eIfNU

[@mnoo387]

thank you sooooooooo much

[@hussmansour2252]

Hi there, I did the same lesson then I tried to open it on my cell mobile it didn't make any effects not clickable, so please explain in new lesson how to export it.

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Greetings! I have another video explaining mobile and browser functionality: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4Orhaeuj7eIfNU

[@shannonwalton4897]

Is it possible to create a navigational table of contents on Adobe Illustrator??

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi there! I'm not sure about Illustrator, but I will be making a video soon about how to do this in InDesign. Thanks for watching!

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Video is now live: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqamnnyPjrRlfLc

[@lisakelly5698]

How do I create these tabs in a large, existing pdf document? Do I export it into InDesign first?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi there! That's how I would approach it. Best of luck!

[@jefffuller5644]

Can you add shadows to the tabs ?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Greetings! I haven't tried, but that would be something cool to test.

[@hagoth2000]

Are you aware of a similar video for Affinity Publisher or an interactive template I can modify.

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi Richard! Apologies, I am not aware of anything outside of InDesign. Best of luck and thanks for stopping by!

[@tutsecret499]

When you say Adobe indesign what does that mean, I have to buy another application ADOBE. I have Adobe Pro.

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi there! Yes, Adobe InDesign is another Adobe application.

[@genesehewston8457]

ASAP: Hi Mr Moreno, question - Is it possible to create these Navigation Tabs in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC? I have a Combined pdf file with over 47 pages. I need to send the book to our board members and the tabs would be great for them to be able to view each section. My first time trying to create an electronic grant book. Thanks

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Apologies, I do not have any experience creating these tabs directly in Acrobat.

[@pavanpluto]

I would like to export the file in 75% so that when the PDF document is opened, all the pages are shown in 75%. I have adjusted the setting while exporting to 75%. However, in the exported PDF, although it opens at 75% when I click the button and it takes me to a different page, it is at 100%. I am guessing that this has got something to do with the Zoom field while creating the button. How do I make sure that the view is 75% even after clicking the button? Please help!

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi there! Perhaps it may have to do with the zoom field while creating the button. Personally, I have not tested this, but I would recommend testing a few pages in order to draw a conclusion. Thanks for watching!

[@mohamedrumaiz417]

where i can find a sample pdf document with navigation tabs pls

[@keigorjai01]

May I ask how many Max tabs we can create?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi there! I do not believe there is a maximum. I just used this amount for the example. Thanks for stopping by!

[@mohammedshahiddhukka9928]

Hiperlink is working in computer bt not in mobile. Plz help me

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi there! Please check out my video on mobile export: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4Orhaeuj7eIfNU

[@saritaprajapati8154]

If possible... Please make a separate lengthy video on indesign... Please

[@chrystalglass8734]

Can this be done in Adobe Acrobat Pro 2020

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi Chrystal! I am not sure. I have never tried creating these tabs strictly using Adobe Acrobat. Best of luck and thanks for stopping by!

[@trinifirst6702]

Hello.....thanks for the fantastic tutorial. Unfortunately, even though I followed everything to the letter, what I did on the Master page did to translate to the other pages. Where did I go wrong?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

If the master page route does not work, you can always create all tabs on one regular page, then copy and paste to other pages. Thanks for watching!

[@mauraseikaly5761]

Is there a way to do this without indesign?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Greetings! I learned this technique with InDesign at the time, so not certain if there is another way these days.

[@leob5675]

Yes

[@FatmahAlshehri]

master page does not accept to do bottons

[@graphicswithlmf]

YOU SHOULD SHOW US WHAT SETTING YOU HAVE AND YOUR DOCUMENT BECAUSE YOU DON'T REALLY GO INTO DETAIL IF SOMEONE IS NEW TO A NEW INDESIGN LIKE YOU HAVE A TAB ON EACH PAGE MY DOCUMENT ONLY HAVE A TAB ON THE 1ST PAGE HOW DO I GET THE TABS ON EACH PAGE

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi there! I create the document and tabs starting at 0:39 of the video. Make sure you are creating the tabs on the Master Page only. Thanks for stopping by!

[@darinwilliams3967]

Hello, are you taking on new projects? I have a proposal due April 26.

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Not at the moment, but I appreciate the offer!

[@foresightconstructiongroup4240]

How can I set these up to be printed properly?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi there! Make sure the Printable box towards the bottom of the Buttons & Forms window is checked. I hope this helps and thanks for stopping by!

[@valerigonzalez1895]

So I'm working on an interactive PDF document for my company, and the document is huge... There are 48 tabs. How do you suggest I tackle that??

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Hi Valeria - I prefer the less is more approach. Can certain sections be combined/condensed for less tabs?

[@therealdlb3994]

I've made a mistake in the interactive button. How do you delete it?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Apologies for the delay! You can either delete the entire button and start again or utilize the +/- in the button actions to remove actions and start again. Thanks for watching!

[@bosstick14]

How do I get this then exported as a one pager interactive pdf please?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

In the Export dialog box select Range of pages instead of All.

[@mdiwakarmba]

@@ChrisMorenoDesign: If I select "Table of Content" Along while exporting will my interactive still works? I wish to have only one page visible in PDF, however if i click on those Sections it should pop up, will that work?

[@aprilsmith1075]

Can this be done in both InDesign & ProDC?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

In this example, all interactive elements were created in Adobe InDesign. Acrobat Pro was only used for viewing.

[@meghanpetrosky8903]

@@ChrisMorenoDesign Hi! Does Acrobat Pro HAVE to be used for viewing? Or can something like this be viewed in Acrobat Reader DC?

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

@@meghanpetrosky8903 Hey! Since none of the elements were built in Acrobat, I believe so :)

[@joshymcdaniel9233]

Do you Randomly still have this Template you could email to me…. Then I could go in ID and just change it to what I want text to say… Only need page 1 with the tabs Very very new to ID would take me all day to make this 😂

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

Greetings! Unfortunately, I do not have a template, but my videos are great walkthroughs for those new to InDesign!

[@wangten-i3w]

རྒྱ་ནག་གིས་བོད་མི་ཚོར་དཀའ་ངལ་ཆེ་རུ་གཏོང་བའི་རྒྱུ་མཚན་ནི། བཙན་བྱོལ་བ་ཚོ་་རྒྱ་ནག་གི་ཁྲིམས་འོག་ལ་འཛུལ་འདོད་པ་ཡོད་པ་དེ་སྟབས་བདེ་ཆེད་དང་ལས་རིམ་མགྱོགས་སུ་གཏོང་ཆེད་རེད། དེས་ན་ཁོང་ཚོས་སྙིང་རྗེ་མེད་པའི་ལས་དོན་ཇི་འདྲ་ཞིག་བསྒྲུབས་རུང་ང་ཚོ་རང་ཚུགས་མ་ཤོར་བ་བྱས་ཏེ། ངར་ཤུགས་ཆེ་རུ་གཏོང་དགོས་རེད། བོད་འདི་ལོ་རྒྱུས་ཐོག་ནས་རང་བཙན་གཙང་མར་ངོས་འཛིན་ཐོབ་པ་འདི་རྒྱ་ནག་གི་ཁྲིམས་འོག་ཏུ་འགྲོ་ཆོག་ཙམ་གྱི་ཆ་རྐྱེན་དུ་བེད་སྤྱོད་མི་བྱེད་པའི་རེ་བ་ཆེ།

[@alyssaapolinario4849]

Thank you

[@ChrisMorenoDesign]

You're very welcome!