With any type of project or presentation, it’s often beneficial to include links to resources or citations. While it’s straightforward to do in programs like Microsoft PowerPoint or Word, how can you achieve this in image editing software?
Adding hyperlinks in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator isn’t as straightforward as selecting text or right-clicking an image, but there are alternative methods using Adobe’s native tools. If you need to add a hyperlink to text, an image, or any other object in Photoshop or Illustrator, some creativity is required.
How to Add a Hyperlink in Photoshop
The simplest way to add a link in Photoshop is by using the Slice tool. This tool lets you set a URL to a part of an image rather than a text link, necessitating you save and share your document as an HTML file. This method is perfect for web design projects (use Illustrator for PDFs).
Step 1: Open Your Photoshop File
Open your file in Photoshop and decide where to add a hyperlink; ideally over text or an image button such as “Book Now” or a social media icon. This technique works regardless of whether your image is flattened or layered.
Step 2: Use the Slice Tool
Find the Slice tool by selecting and holding the Crop tool on the toolbar; the Slice tool has a knife icon. Alternatively, use the Photoshop shortcut C.
Use the Slice tool similarly to the Selection tool. Draw a bounding box around each image part where you want to add a hyperlink. Be precise with your area selection.
Step 3: Add Your URL
Right-click the newly inserted slice and select Edit Slice Options. In the dialog box, insert your link in the URL field. For the link to open in a new window, type _blank into the Target text field. Add descriptive text in the Alt Tag field and select OK. Alt text enhances accessibility.
Step 4: Save Your File
To save, select File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy). In the dialog box, keep default settings except for Preset. Choose any JPG or PNG option, then select Save.
Enter your file name and, in the Format dropdown, select HTML and Images. Save and you’re done. Open your file as an HTML image or as separate sliced images.
Alternatively, consider adding QR codes to your Photoshop projects as another form of link.
How to Add a Hyperlink in Illustrator
Although Adobe Illustrator also has a Slice tool, it cannot save sliced images as HTML, requiring coding for hyperlink integration during web development.
However, for interactive PDFs, adding links is straightforward. This involves “hiding” a hyperlink in your design, enabling clickable objects that trigger the link.
Step 1: Open or Design an Illustrator File
The first step is to design your file in Illustrator. Remember, this process results in an interactive PDF, which may not suit all design types. Identify areas to hyperlink, such as logos or contact information.
Step 2: Add the URL
Lock your design layers by selecting the padlock next to the eye icon in the layers panel. Add a new layer for hyperlinks by clicking +. Use the Text tool (T), click your artboard for placeholder text, and replace it with the full URL, including http://. Add all necessary links.
Step 3: Resize the Hyperlink Text
Since the hyperlinks will be hidden, resize the text to cover the hyperlink area and change its color for better visual placement. Use the Selection tool (V) to adjust the size, ensuring it covers the clickable area.
Step 4: Hide the Hyperlinks
There are two ways to hide hyperlinks. First, turn the opacity of the hyperlink layer to 0%. Select the layer, hit Cmd + A (Mac) or Ctrl + A (Windows), and in Window > Properties, adjust the Opacity slider to 0%. Despite being invisible, text box outlines remain visible when hovered over.
The second method involves sending hyperlinks behind design elements. Change the layer order, moving the hyperlinks to the bottom. This way, they’ll be covered by design elements but still clickable.
If your links aren’t on a separate layer, right-click each hyperlink and select Arrange > Send to Back.
Step 5: Save Your File
Select File > Save As. Name your file, choose PDF as the format and ensure it’s a digital PDF for interactive hyperlinks. Open your saved PDF and test the hyperlinks.
For print designs, consider using QR codes, which can be created with Adobe InDesign and Illustrator.