Hyperlink appearance options

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn about visual formatting options for hyperlink rectangles, highlight effects, and character styles in Adobe InDesign exported documents.

When creating or editing hyperlinks in InDesign, use these appearance settings to control how hyperlink sources display in exported Adobe PDF, EPUB, and HTML files. Access these options in the Appearance tab of the New Hyperlink or Edit Hyperlink dialog box. But to manage hyperlinks, use the Hyperlinks panel instead.

Hyperlink identifiers

Type

Description

Text hyperlinks

The Character Style drop-down controls the formatting of hyperlink text. By default, InDesign uses the Hyperlink character style (blue and underlined). You can select a different character style from the drop-down.

Non-text hyperlinks

A dotted outline appears around the object (such as a graphic, frame, or shape) during editing. The outline uses the object’s layer color, appears only in the InDesign workspace, and does not print or export.

Note

The Hyperlink character style is automatically added to your document's character styles list. This style will print and export with your document.

Non-text hyperlink appearance options

Option

Description

Type

Determines whether the hyperlink boundary displays to viewers. Select Visible Rectangle to show a colored border or Invisible Rectangle to hide the boundary.

Highlight

Controls the visual feedback when a viewer selects the hyperlink in the exported PDF, EPUB, or HTML file. Invert reverses colors, Outline adds a border, Inset creates a recessed effect, and None provides no visual change on selection.

Color

Applies a color to the visible hyperlink rectangle. Available only when Type is set to Visible Rectangle. Select from document swatches or default colors.

Width

Sets the stroke weight of the hyperlink rectangle border. Available only when Type is set to Visible Rectangle.

Style

Determines whether the hyperlink rectangle border appears Solid or Dashed. Available only when Type is set to Visible Rectangle.