Guide on how to make an interactive PDF: examples, use cases, and the perfect interactive PDF maker

Last updated: January 24th, 2025

Interactive PDFs are similar to classic PDFs we use as digital brochures, magazines, or catalogs to share details about our companies, products, or services. However, due to the overwhelming amount of data available, people now prefer to get information in an easy-to-follow and memorable way.

Having the right content is the first step. 

Then, interactivity could be the one thing that changes how users interact with PDFs.

That’s why, in this article, we’ll talk about interactive PDFs, how to make an interactive PDF, and their benefits.

What is an interactive PDF?

As the name suggests, an interactive PDF is a PDF file that features interactive elements, such as clickable links, video and audio iframe widgets, quizzes, shopping lists, product tags, embedded maps, social media buttons, or GIFs. The file format is the same, so you still need a PDF reader to open it. 

On the other hand, a classic PDF file can contain text, pictures, and hyperlinks, but when it comes to interactivity, that’s just about it. 

All these elements benefit the readers and your business. For example, you can simplify the buying process with a shopping list, offer extra information with a nicely placed video or audio button, or place a form on the page so readers can subscribe to your email campaigns. 

We’ll talk more about the benefits of using interactive PDFs later in this article.

But first –

What does an interactive PDF look like?

Even though words can describe almost any concept quite well, nothing compares to seeing that concept live, in a video or embedded content. 

Take a look at this PDF with a video example, browse through it, and engage with its dynamic elements. You, too, can add dynamic elements to PDFs when converted into flipbooks.

Interactive PDFs’ versatility in use cases 

Regular PDFs often fall short of providing an engaging reading experience. They mainly offer text-based content with limited design elements, which can lead to readers losing interest quickly or not reading the document thoroughly.

Interactive PDFs, however, can transform this experience. By adding clickable elements, you can direct readers to external websites, additional resources, or different sections within the document, making the content much more engaging.

Why switch to interactive PDFs? Let’s see a few use cases of animated PDFs.

1. Include virtual tours in your real estate brochures

Let’s say you work for a real estate agency, and your job is to sell a house. 

You have an online PDF you share with your clients. It features some text information about the property and some pictures of the house. As far as regular PDFs go, that’s what you usually include, right? OK, you might also include a link to your agency or something similar, but that’s about it. 

This is where an interactive PDF is suitable for a real estate business. Text and pictures are useful, but what if I told you that you can include a virtual tour of the property in your PDF? Imagine how beneficial that would be for a customer. They can visit each room virtually, one at a time, and get a clear idea of the place. 

You can also provide additional information about the property, its construction, the neighborhood, and anything else people might want to know. 

2. Facilitate the selling process for your e-commerce business

Here is another scenario: you own an e-commerce website and send weekly email newsletters featuring your products. Your goal is to make the readers interested in what you offer and then send a list of what they would like to buy.

With a regular PDF, there is a lot of back and forth between the catalog and the website, which is counterproductive. The customer has to search for each desired product and then add it to the cart. The process requires a few steps. 

I know, maybe I make the process seem like a bad infomercial where even the easiest task seems impossible, but the truth is that nowadays people lack time and patience. If there is a faster option to do something, they will choose that.

An interactive catalog can simplify the process by adding a shopping-related interactive element. Simply place a shopping button or area on top of the product and customize it with the desired product information. 

This way, customers can add products to a shopping list and then download the list directly from the catalog during the browsing process. The customers stay in the catalog the whole time. Once they have the list, they can send it back to you for a quote, wishlist, or as a shopping order. 

3. Create interactive employee benefit guides

Relying on static PDFs for employee benefits guides just doesn’t cut it anymore. Employees expect quick, interactive, and mobile-friendly access to important information.

That’s where interactive employee benefit guides come in. These modern tools turn a traditionally dull process into something dynamic and engaging. 

Think real-time updates, clickable elements, and mobile-optimized designs that make information easy to find and understand. This kind of interactivity helps people pay attention and understand better what they’re reading.

These interactive guides also help companies. A lot.

For HR teams, brokers, or anyone managing benefits, juggling multiple documents for different audiences can feel overwhelming. But with a platform like Flipsnack, you can simplify everything. You can transform your static PDFs into digital flipbooks, update them anytime, customize them for specific groups, and share them securely with just a few clicks.

Let’s look at PINEYWOODS customer success story to understand just how much interactive PDFs can help your business.

When PINEYWOODS Benefits launched in 2020, they needed a way to engage clients remotely. Flipsnack became their tool for creating interactive benefit guides.

Switching from printed materials to digital flipbooks cut their costs by 80% while adding value through features like embedded links, videos, and custom branding. These guides impressed clients, improved relationships, and helped win new business.

Flipsnack’s templates also saved time because customizing guides for each client took minutes, not hours. Plus, fixing errors was easy, with no need for costly reprints.

With a 100% adoption rate, PINEYWOODS Benefits proves how interactive PDFs can transform how businesses connect with clients.

4. Improve internal communications within your company

Interactive PDFs are a game-changer for internal communications. Let’s say you work in HR or management and need to send out company updates, policies, or training materials. Instead of a dull, text-heavy document, you can create interactive documents like digital flipbooks, the best interactive PDF alternative.

If you want to send out a new company policy, you can include a video message from the CEO, links to related documents, and an interactive Q&A section. Employees can watch, read, and click through all the necessary info without getting bored.

For training, add quizzes and feedback forms right into the document. This way, employees stay engaged, and you get instant feedback. It’s a win-win.

5. Create eye-catching marketing materials

Let’s face it—most marketing PDFs are a bit boring. But an interactive PDF? That’s where the magic happens.

Think of your product catalog. Instead of just a list of items and prices, you can add videos showing off your products in action. Or how about clickable buttons that take customers straight to your website to buy? No jumping through hoops—just simple, direct, and effective.

Hosting an event? Use an interactive invitation. Add a map, an RSVP button, or even a quick video from the host to get people excited. It’s personal, it’s engaging, and it makes your audience feel like they’re part of something special.

6. Simplify complex reports

If your job involves creating detailed reports, you know how boring they can be for readers. Interactive PDFs can help by making these reports more navigable.

Let’s take an annual financial report, for example. Instead of pages and pages of text, you have a clickable table of contents, links to different sections, and interactive charts that update in real time.

Readers can jump to the sections they need and interact with the data. This makes the report not only easier to understand but also more engaging. It’s a simple way to keep your audience interested and informed.

Benefits of an interactive PDF design

Regardless of the situation or industry, creating an interactive PDF can make anything better (as we’ve seen previously). So, how and why does an interactive PDF design help your message get across?

1. Accessibility

Interactive PDFs are more accessible to a wider audience. Features like audio support and interactive tables of contents make navigation easier and cater to people with different needs, including those with motor challenges.

2. Branding

Interactive documents are easier to brand and design. They allow you to add logos, colors, and other branding elements. Digital flipbooks, a form of interactive PDFs, offer even more opportunities to showcase your brand.

3. Collaboration

Tools in interactive PDFs let readers highlight text and leave comments. This feature is useful for students working with textbooks or employees studying company guides, providing a more personalized experience.

4. Sharing

Interactive PDFs are easy to share. By converting them to HTML documents and hosting them in the cloud, you can share a link instead of an attachment. This makes sharing through email or social media seamless and instant.

How to create an interactive PDF with Flipsnack

If you want to make your PDF interactive, know that there are interactive PDF creators such as Flipsnack that are super intuitive and easy to use. 

You can either upload and turn your regular PDFs into flippable, interactive ones by adding elements using a drag-and-drop feature or use our Design Studio and create digital flipbooks from scratch without any prior design experience. Thanks to its intuitive drag-and-drop feature, it is easier to use than other similar products, such as Adobe InDesign, for example. 

It is an excellent tool for any industry in need of digital flipbooks, including marketing and travel agencies. 

To make your PDF interactive, all you need to do is upload it to Flipsnack and add all the elements you need.

But before that, you must prepare your document. This includes:

• Getting inspired for your mood board
• Editing your product pictures 
• Creating the document in InDesign
• Choosing the right layout
• Designing your PDF

When designing your layout, think about all the placeholders so you can easily drag and drop videos, photo slideshows, and other dynamic elements to the PDF flipbook.

Here is how Flipsnack can help you create a digital flipbook by adding interactivity to your PDF files:

1. Upload the PDF in Flipsnack or start from scratch

Once the layout is created to be compatible with interactions, upload the PDF file or simply drag and drop it. You can upload a single PDF file or upload in bulk. When choosing the bulk option, you can merge them into a single PDF file or upload them as individual files. 

If you don’t have a ready-made PDF, you can also choose to do it all from scratch or from an interactive PDF template available in Flipsnack.

2. Insert interactive elements in your PDF flipbook

Next, add the best-suited elements to your PDF to customize it. Once on the page, you can change their sizes and edit their properties. 

You can see some of the interactive elements I’ve added in this college enrollment guide: video widget, caption button, and social media buttons. The video widget allows you to play a video directly in the document. 

When clicked, the caption button reveals additional information about standardized tests or any additional information you want to include without overcrowding the page. There are also social media buttons for quick access to useful links, such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. 

3. Customize and brand the look of your publication

Once you are done with the interactive elements, you can upload your logo before sharing the file. For extra interactivity, you can add a web link to your logo, add your official website, or whatever link you consider important. 

Moreover, you can add a player accent color to match your brand, check the box for flip effect sound, activate the accessibility feature, or add a lead form.

4. Publish your PDF flipbook as public or private

You can choose from different privacy options, and each option is suitable for different occasions. Do you want to password-protect it, share it with certain people, or want everyone to access it? All these sharing options give you document control whenever you share your interactive PDF online.

5. Share the link to your interactive PDF

Once you are done with the document, all you need to do is share it. We’ve got you covered here as well, as you can share the PDF via link, email, on social media, or directly embed it on a page. You can even offer a sneak peek of what you’ve created by sharing the file as a GIF or video.

Interactive PDFs examples 

Now that you know how to make an interactive PDF using Flipsnack, let’s see a few interactive PDF examples to get you inspired.

Given their versatility, interactive documents can be used for many purposes. They can be turned into brochures, magazines, catalogs, and more. 

Here are a few interactive PDF samples: 

1. Interactive product catalogs

Online product catalogs are an essential part of any marketing strategy, offering a wider reach than traditional print. They make it easy for customers to browse products and purchase directly, reducing the steps between discovery and checkout. Take this animated PDF example from Chez Pluie, a boutique specializing in French Country antiques. They used shopping buttons and pop-ups. Clicking a product tag reveals details like the title, price, description, and purchase link.

2. Interactive digital magazines

Digital magazines can transform storytelling with interactivity. One great interactive PDF example is this physics magazine that uses photo slideshows to immerse readers and hyperlinks to improve navigation. Readers can jump directly to sections that interest them, making the experience more efficient and enjoyable. This interactive PDF also features shopping areas where students can explore experiments and tools.

You can create an interactive digital magazine by simply starting from a Flipsnack magazine template.

3. Interactive online brochures

Brochures are compact, making concise, engaging information essential. A standout interactive PDF example comes from Sotheby’s, which transformed a traditional real estate brochure with interactive elements. By adding navigation buttons to the table of contents and hyperlinks to property details, they made it easy for buyers to explore further. 

If you want to create something similar, you can start with a brochure template made by Flipsnack. 

Conclusion

Interactive PDFs are a great way to present your company or ideas online. More than that, they create engagement. Through interactivity, this new format of flipbook allows you to keep your fans and readers engaged with your digital content. 

The interactive PDF flipbooks are easy to create, share, and keep track of. 

They’re also versatile and can be used in different industries, such as e-commerce and education, and in different formats, such as magazines, flyers, brochures, and catalogs.

Making interactive PDFs with Flipsnack is easy. The result is a professional-looking, entertaining PDF. 

What do you think about turning PDFs into flipbooks? Have you tried creating such files? How intensive was your experience, and how much time did you spend adding rich media elements? I hope you find my information on how to make an interactive PDF useful.

FAQ: Best practices for interactive PDFs