GoodNotes hyperlinks not working almost always comes down to how the PDF was imported, not a bug in the app itself. The three most common causes: the file was emailed instead of AirDropped or saved via Files (which can strip embedded links), the import option "Import as Photo" or a flattening step turned the PDF into a flat image, or an older GoodNotes version dropped support for a link type the planner uses. Before you give up on tabs and hyperlinked planners entirely, our Digital Notebook is tested link-by-link in GoodNotes 5 and 6, so you can see exactly what a working setup looks like.
Want a planner that's already tested? Grab the Digital Notebook (12 Subjects, 5 Colours) and skip the troubleshooting altogether.
Shop 2027 Digital Planner →Why GoodNotes Hyperlinks Stop Working
Hyperlinks in a digital planner are built into the PDF itself, as clickable regions layered over the page. GoodNotes reads those regions and turns them into taps. When a link "stops working," the region either never made it into your copy of the file, or GoodNotes can't register the tap because something changed the page underneath it.
The single biggest cause is the import method. Sending a PDF through Mail, WhatsApp or a messaging app frequently re-compresses or re-renders the file, and that process can silently drop the interactive layer. AirDrop, the Files app, or importing directly from cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud) preserve the original PDF structure and keep every link intact.
Version mismatches cause the same symptom in a different way. GoodNotes 6 changed how the app parses PDF link annotations compared with GoodNotes 5, and a planner built for one can occasionally show flat, unclickable tabs on the other until you update. If your notebook worked perfectly on an old iPad and stopped after a fresh install, check the app version before assuming the file itself is broken.
The "Import as Image" Trap
GoodNotes offers an option to import a PDF as a flat image rather than a live document. It looks identical on screen, but every hyperlink, tab and bookmark is gone the moment you choose it. If your planner opened fine on page one but nothing is clickable anywhere, this is almost always the cause — re-import and choose "Import PDF," not "Import as Image."
The Real Fixes, in Order
- Re-import via AirDrop or Files, not Mail. Delete the broken copy first, then send the original PDF using AirDrop (Mac to iPad) or save it into Files and import from there. This alone resolves the majority of "tabs not working" reports.
- Choose "Import PDF," never "Import as Image." GoodNotes shows this choice on import — always pick the PDF option for anything with hyperlinks, even if the image option looks like the faster route.
- Update GoodNotes to the latest version. GoodNotes 6 handles PDF link layers more reliably than GoodNotes 5; an outdated app is a common cause of dead tabs, and the update is free and takes under a minute over Wi-Fi.
- Check the file isn't a scanned copy. A PDF that has been printed and re-scanned has no digital link layer at all, no matter how it's imported — it needs to come from the original digital file, not a photo or scan of a printed page.
- Restart the app after importing. Occasionally GoodNotes caches the previous version of a document; fully closing and reopening the app (not just switching tabs) forces it to re-read the newly imported file properly.
- Test one link before filling in a whole month. Tap a single tab straight after import. If it works, the file is fine; if it doesn't, the fix is in the import method, not your notes, and you've saved yourself from writing a month of entries into a broken copy.
Shop Ultimate Digital Planner Bundle 2027 →GoodNotes Hyperlinks: Import Method Compared
Not every way of getting a planner onto your iPad treats hyperlinks the same way. Here is what actually survives each of these 5 common routes, based on how each one handles the underlying PDF file:
| Import method | Hyperlinks survive? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AirDrop (Mac to iPad) | Yes | Most reliable route — no compression |
| Files app / cloud storage | Yes | Keeps the original PDF structure intact |
| Email attachment | Sometimes | Some mail clients re-render the PDF and strip links |
| Messaging apps (WhatsApp, etc.) | Rarely | Heavy compression usually removes the link layer |
| "Import as Image" option | Never | Flattens the page to a picture — links cannot exist |
The pattern is consistent: any step that recompresses or flattens the file is the enemy of hyperlinks. If you're not sure how a planner reached your device — say, it was forwarded to you rather than downloaded directly — re-importing it yourself via Files removes the guesswork entirely.
Choosing a Planner That Is Actually Built for GoodNotes
Not every PDF sold as a "digital planner" was built with a genuine tab structure underneath. Some are static page images with a table of contents drawn on top, which look identical in a screenshot but were never clickable to begin with — no import method fixes a link that was never there. Before buying, check the listing specifically claims "hyperlinked" or "clickable tabs," not just "digital planner." Our guide to picking a digital planner for GoodNotes covers what to check before you buy, and the Digital Notebook is built with a full tested tab structure across all 12 subjects.
If you use hyperlinked notes across several subjects or projects, a full dated digital planner or the complete Digital Planner Bundle extends the same tested tab structure to your whole year, so every link you rely on has already been checked before it reaches you. For anyone who prefers a plain, undated layout without monthly dividers to navigate, the Simple Digital Planner keeps the same reliable tab setup with less structure to maintain.
Shop Simple Digital Planner (Undated) →GoodNotes Hyperlinks FAQs
Why are my GoodNotes hyperlinks not working?
The most common cause is how the PDF was imported. Sending it through email or a messaging app can strip the interactive link layer, and choosing "Import as Image" instead of "Import PDF" removes every hyperlink permanently.
How do I fix broken hyperlinks in GoodNotes?
Delete the broken copy, then re-import the original PDF using AirDrop or the Files app, making sure to select "Import PDF" rather than "Import as Image." Update GoodNotes to the latest version first if you haven't already.
Does emailing a PDF break its hyperlinks?
It can. Some mail clients re-render or compress PDF attachments, which sometimes strips the embedded link layer. AirDrop and the Files app preserve the original file structure and are the more reliable route.
Can I add hyperlinks to a PDF that doesn't have any?
Not inside GoodNotes itself — GoodNotes reads existing links but doesn't let you draw new clickable regions onto a plain PDF. You need a planner built with the tab structure already embedded, or separate PDF editing software to add link fields before import.
Why do some digital planners never have working tabs at all?
Some listings sell a flat page image with a table of contents drawn on top for looks, rather than a true interactive PDF. No import method can fix a link that was never built into the file — check that a listing specifically says "hyperlinked" or "clickable tabs" before buying.
Does GoodNotes 6 handle hyperlinks better than GoodNotes 5?
Yes, generally. GoodNotes 6 reads PDF link layers more reliably, so updating the app is one of the first things to try if tabs that used to work have suddenly stopped.
Ready for a planner with tabs that actually work? Grab the Digital Notebook (12 Subjects, 5 Colours), tested link-by-link in GoodNotes, or explore the full Digital Planners collection.