How to use VBA to change the default MS Word 2016 options so that when you save as PDF the headings are included as bookmarks?

Question

I'm using Microsoft Word 2016 and looking for a way to run a vba macro that will change the default option to Create bookmarks using: Headings when I save a document as PDF when I click on

File ->
Save As ->
PDF (*.pdf) ->
More options.. ->
Options

Note: The option is only available if you have a table of contents in the document.

The goal is that if a user chooses to save as PDF that option will be already checked.

I'm not asking how to do this manually, like in this question

nor programmaticaly save to PDF using vba like here or here.

Where is this option ("Create bookmarks using:") found in Word? — ashleedawg, Sep 19 '18 at 13:10
Have you tried recording the steps (whatever they are) as a macro? — Cindy Meister, Sep 19 '18 at 13:10
I think you're talking about an option that comes with the **"Microsoft PDF Add-In"** (which appears to be no longer available, from Microsoft anyway). Do you have this add-in? — ashleedawg, Sep 19 '18 at 13:12
@ashleedawg File -> Save As -> PDF (*.pdf) -> More options.. -> Options — Iraklis, Sep 19 '18 at 13:17
@CindyMeister yes have tried that, these option changes are not captured by the macro recording process. — Iraklis, Sep 19 '18 at 13:20

Bruno Bieri · Accepted Answer · 2018-09-26T13:55:00.297

Since it's not reachable by VBA at the point of save a file as PDF I do not see it as possible to change that PDF saving option using only VBA.

The only way I see you can reach the behavior you seek is as follow but need some special effort. You need to either create a VTSO addin or be able to have an extra marco file in the Microsoft Word Startup-Path so it will be loaded at Microsoft Word Startup.

Re-implement your own "Save" behavior by overriding the Save functionality (BeforeSave) of Microsoft Word and provide it via your own Save-Button in the Microsoft Word-Menu described here

How to use VBA to change the default MS Word 2016 options so that when you save as PDF the headings are included as bookmarks?

1 Answers1