Edit PDF Bookmarks
Build and edit PDF bookmarks (document outline) for easy navigation. Add bookmarks, rename existing ones, change target pages, reorder the outline hierarchy, and create nested bookmark trees up to two levels deep. The bookmark sidebar appears in most PDF viewers, providing quick access to document sections.
What does this tool do?
The Bookmarks tool creates and modifies the PDF outline (also called bookmarks), the navigation tree displayed in PDF viewer sidebars. You can add new bookmarks pointing to any page, rename existing bookmarks for clarity, reorder bookmarks to match document structure, nest bookmarks as children under parent entries, and delete unwanted bookmarks. Bookmarks make long documents navigable by providing clickable links to sections.
How it works
Using MuPDF's outline manipulation functions, the tool reads the existing bookmark tree from the PDF or creates a new one. The interface presents bookmarks in an editable tree structure. As you add, edit, reorder, and nest bookmarks, the tool maintains the internal outline structure. When you save, it writes the complete bookmark tree to the PDF's outline dictionary, creating or replacing the document's navigation structure. Each bookmark stores a title and target page number.
Features
- Loads existing bookmarks if present
- Add new bookmarks with custom titles
- Rename and edit existing bookmarks
- Move bookmarks up/down in the hierarchy
- Two levels of nesting (parent + child + grandchild)
- Click to set target page for any bookmark
- Delete unwanted bookmarks
How to use
- 1
Upload your PDF
Drag the PDF whose outline you want to edit onto the drop zone. The tool displays any existing bookmarks in the tree editor.
- 2
Add new bookmarks
Click Add Bookmark. Enter a descriptive title and specify the target page number. The bookmark will link to that page in PDF viewers.
- 3
Nest child bookmarks
Use the + Child button on any bookmark row to create a nested sub-bookmark. This appears indented under its parent, creating a hierarchical structure.
- 4
Reorder and organize
Drag bookmarks to reorder them, or use the up/down arrows. Organize bookmarks logically to match your document structure — chapters, sections, subsections.
- 5
Save the bookmarked PDF
Click Save. The PDF downloads with the new bookmark outline embedded, ready for navigation in any PDF viewer.
Common use cases
Create navigation for long reports
Add chapter and section bookmarks to lengthy reports, whitepapers, and manuals so readers can jump directly to relevant sections.
Fix bookmark structure from exports
Documents exported from Word, InDesign, or other software often have poor bookmark structures. Reorganize and rename for clarity.
Add bookmarks to scanned documents
Scanned books and documents lack native bookmarks. Create a custom outline matching the table of contents for easy navigation.
Prepare presentation PDFs
Add bookmarks for each slide or section in presentation PDFs to enable non-linear navigation during meetings.
Tips & best practices
- Bookmark titles should be descriptive but concise — they appear in the limited-width sidebar of PDF viewers
- Create logical hierarchies: use top-level bookmarks for chapters, nested bookmarks for sections and subsections
- Always set bookmark target pages by viewing the actual content, not just page numbers — front matter may shift page numbering
- Maximum practical nesting is 2-3 levels; deeper nesting becomes unwieldy in viewer sidebars