Insert cross-references

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn how to insert cross-references in Adobe InDesign using text anchors or paragraph styles to connect related sections within your document.

Cross-references allow you to connect related sections within a document while keeping referenced page numbers and text accurate as content changes. In InDesign, cross-references are created using paragraph styles or text anchors and automatically update when destination content moves or is modified.

Create a cross-reference to a paragraph

Select the Type tool and place the insertion point where you want the cross-reference to appear.

Select Type > Hyperlinks & Cross-References > Insert Cross-Reference.

Select Paragraph from the Link To drop-down menu.

From the Document drop-down menu, select the document containing your destination text. If the document isn't open, select Browse, locate the file, and select Open.

Select [All Paragraphs] from the Paragraph Styles list to view all paragraphs, then select the one you want to reference from the Paragraph Text list.

Select a cross-reference format from the Format drop-down menu.

In the PDF Appearance tab, choose how the cross-reference behaves in the exported PDF by setting options such as link type, highlight behavior, color, and border appearance.

In the Accessibility tab, enter alternate text or assign an ARIA role to improve accessibility for assistive technologies.

Select OK.

Select Type > Show Hidden Characters to view the text anchor marker at the beginning of the destination paragraph, and ensure the marker remains in place to prevent the cross-reference from becoming unresolved.

Create a cross-reference to a text anchor

Select the Type tool and place the insertion point where you want the cross-reference to appear.

Select Type > Hyperlinks & Cross-References > Insert Cross-Reference.

Select Text Anchor from the Link To drop-down menu.

From the Document drop-down menu, select the document containing your destination text. If the document isn't open, select Browse, locate the file, and select Open.

Select the destination from the Text Anchor drop-down menu.

Select a cross-reference format from the Format drop-down menu.

In the PDF Appearance tab, choose how the cross-reference behaves in the exported PDF by setting options such as link type, highlight behavior, color, and border appearance.

In the Accessibility tab, enter alternate text or assign an ARIA role to improve accessibility for assistive technologies.

Select OK.

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