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How to Add PDF Bookmarks and Outline in Java

Darrius Serrant
ByDarrius Serrant
September 18, 2024
Updated  June 22, 2025

Including PDF bookmarks in your Java project can significantly improve the usability and navigation of your PDFs. Outlines in PDFs provide an easy method of navigation within the PDF itself, so you can easily navigate to key pages within the document much like how you would with a table of contents.

IronPDF is a powerful PDF tool that makes working with PDF files a breeze. Its bookmarking tool gives you a concise, easy-to-use method for creating custom bookmarks for your PDF files.

How to Add PDF Bookmarks and Outline

  1. Install Java library to add bookmarks to PDFs
  2. Utilize the PdfDocument class to load an existing PDF file in Java
  3. Create and customize the bookmarks with the BookmarkManager class
  4. Use addBookMarkAtEnd to add bookmarks to specific pages of the PDF
  5. Save the PDF document containing the new outline and bookmarks

Start using IronPDF in your project today with a free trial.

First Step:
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Before We Get Started

You will also need to make sure you have your license key set up correctly, as IronPDF must be licensed for development.

Add Outline & Bookmarks Example

For today's example, I will use this sample PDF to apply the outline and bookmarks.

Add Single Layer of Bookmarks

After loading this PDF from the specified file path using the PdfDocument class, we can start adding bookmarks to the document by retrieving the BookmarkManager object. You can add the bookmark to the start or end of the bookmark collection using the addBookMarkAtEnd and addBookMarkAtStart methods.

Tips
Remember that all page indexes follow zero-based indexing.

import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Path;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.bookmark.BookmarkManager;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        // Set the license key for IronPDF
        License.setLicenseKey("IRONPDF-MYLICENSE-KEY-1EF01");

        // Load the PDF file
        PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.fromFile(Path.of("NovelSample.pdf"));

        // Get BookmarkManager object to manage bookmarks
        BookmarkManager bookmarks = pdf.getBookmark();

        // Add bookmarks at the end of the bookmark collection
        bookmarks.addBookMarkAtEnd("Title Page", 0);
        bookmarks.addBookMarkAtEnd("Table of Contents", 1);
        bookmarks.addBookMarkAtEnd("Dedication Page", 2);
        bookmarks.addBookMarkAtEnd("First Page", 3);
        bookmarks.addBookMarkAtStart("Page 4", 6);

        // Save the modified PDF with bookmarks
        pdf.saveAs(Path.of("bookmarked.pdf"));
    }
}
import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Path;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.bookmark.BookmarkManager;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        // Set the license key for IronPDF
        License.setLicenseKey("IRONPDF-MYLICENSE-KEY-1EF01");

        // Load the PDF file
        PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.fromFile(Path.of("NovelSample.pdf"));

        // Get BookmarkManager object to manage bookmarks
        BookmarkManager bookmarks = pdf.getBookmark();

        // Add bookmarks at the end of the bookmark collection
        bookmarks.addBookMarkAtEnd("Title Page", 0);
        bookmarks.addBookMarkAtEnd("Table of Contents", 1);
        bookmarks.addBookMarkAtEnd("Dedication Page", 2);
        bookmarks.addBookMarkAtEnd("First Page", 3);
        bookmarks.addBookMarkAtStart("Page 4", 6);

        // Save the modified PDF with bookmarks
        pdf.saveAs(Path.of("bookmarked.pdf"));
    }
}
JAVA

With the PDF viewer above, you can check the table of contents, which is located at the top left corner of most browsers, to see all the bookmarks that we have added.

Add Multiple Layers of Bookmarks

In this example, we'll start by adding bookmarks, just like we did when creating a single layer of bookmarks. Next, we'll use the insertBookmark method to add a new bookmark on a new layer and give it a name using the method's first parameter. The second parameter specifies the page the new bookmark links to. To create a new layer, we make the new bookmark a "child" of an existing bookmark, which is done using the method's third parameter.

import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Path;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.bookmark.BookmarkManager;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        // Load the PDF file
        PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.fromFile(Path.of("NovelSample.pdf"));

        // Get BookmarkManager object
        BookmarkManager bookmarks = pdf.getBookmark();

        // Add bookmarks at the end
        bookmarks.addBookMarkAtEnd("Title Page", 0);
        bookmarks.addBookMarkAtEnd("Table of Contents", 1);
        bookmarks.addBookMarkAtEnd("Dedication", 2);

        // Insert second layer bookmarks
        bookmarks.insertBookmark("First Page", 3, "Table of Contents", null);
        bookmarks.insertBookmark("Second Page", 4, "Table of Contents", "First Page");
        bookmarks.insertBookmark("End of Sample", 7, "Title Page", null);
        bookmarks.insertBookmark("Fourth page", 6, "Table of Contents", "Second Page");

        // Save the modified PDF with multiple layer bookmarks
        pdf.saveAs(Path.of("multiLayer.pdf"));
    }
}
import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Path;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.bookmark.BookmarkManager;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        // Load the PDF file
        PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.fromFile(Path.of("NovelSample.pdf"));

        // Get BookmarkManager object
        BookmarkManager bookmarks = pdf.getBookmark();

        // Add bookmarks at the end
        bookmarks.addBookMarkAtEnd("Title Page", 0);
        bookmarks.addBookMarkAtEnd("Table of Contents", 1);
        bookmarks.addBookMarkAtEnd("Dedication", 2);

        // Insert second layer bookmarks
        bookmarks.insertBookmark("First Page", 3, "Table of Contents", null);
        bookmarks.insertBookmark("Second Page", 4, "Table of Contents", "First Page");
        bookmarks.insertBookmark("End of Sample", 7, "Title Page", null);
        bookmarks.insertBookmark("Fourth page", 6, "Table of Contents", "Second Page");

        // Save the modified PDF with multiple layer bookmarks
        pdf.saveAs(Path.of("multiLayer.pdf"));
    }
}
JAVA

Here you can see the PDF with our new tree structure of bookmarks. Check out the outline for yourself to see how the insertBookmark feature has added a new layer of bookmarks.

Retrieving Bookmarks

IronPDF's bookmarking tool not only adds new bookmarks but also retrieves and views existing ones. To navigate through bookmarks, first load the PDF using the PdfDocument.fromFile method. Then, access the BookmarkManager object and use the getBookmarks method to retrieve all bookmarks, including child bookmarks. Finally, use the get method to retrieve a bookmark by its index in the list.

import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Path;
import java.util.List;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.License;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.bookmark.Bookmark;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.bookmark.BookmarkManager;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        // Load the PDF file with bookmarks
        PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.fromFile(Path.of("bookmarked.pdf"));

        // Retrieve the bookmark manager
        BookmarkManager bookmarks = pdf.getBookmark();

        // Retrieve list of all bookmarks
        List<Bookmark> bookmarkList = bookmarks.getBookmarks();

        // Retrieve a specific bookmark by its index
        Bookmark bookmark = bookmarkList.get(2);

        // Example usage of the retrieved bookmark could be added here
    }
}
import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Path;
import java.util.List;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.License;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.bookmark.Bookmark;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.bookmark.BookmarkManager;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        // Load the PDF file with bookmarks
        PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.fromFile(Path.of("bookmarked.pdf"));

        // Retrieve the bookmark manager
        BookmarkManager bookmarks = pdf.getBookmark();

        // Retrieve list of all bookmarks
        List<Bookmark> bookmarkList = bookmarks.getBookmarks();

        // Retrieve a specific bookmark by its index
        Bookmark bookmark = bookmarkList.get(2);

        // Example usage of the retrieved bookmark could be added here
    }
}
JAVA

Insert Bookmark at Specific Index

With the retrieved bookmarks, you have the option to add new bookmarks at specific indexes within the document. To do this, select the targeted bookmark and use the addNextBookmark method to add a new bookmark after it. For example, we take the PDF from the 'Add Multiple Layers of Bookmarks' section and add a bookmark after the 'Third Page' bookmark. You can also add a child bookmark as a deeper layer using the addChildBookmark method.

import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Path;
import java.util.List;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.bookmark.Bookmark;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.bookmark.BookmarkManager;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        // Load the PDF we modified earlier
        PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.fromFile(Path.of("multiLayer.pdf"));

        // Get the BookmarkManager
        BookmarkManager bookmarks = pdf.getBookmark();

        // Retrieve the list of bookmarks
        List<Bookmark> bookmarkList = bookmarks.getBookmarks();

        // Retrieve a specific bookmark by its index
        Bookmark bookmark = bookmarkList.get(5);

        // Add a new bookmark after the specified bookmark
        bookmark.addNextBookmark("Fourth Page", 6);

        // Add another layer to 'Third page' bookmark
        bookmark.addChildBookmark("Section 1", 7);

        // Save the modified PDF
        pdf.saveAs(Path.of("specificIndex.pdf"));
    }
}
import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Path;
import java.util.List;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.bookmark.Bookmark;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.bookmark.BookmarkManager;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        // Load the PDF we modified earlier
        PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.fromFile(Path.of("multiLayer.pdf"));

        // Get the BookmarkManager
        BookmarkManager bookmarks = pdf.getBookmark();

        // Retrieve the list of bookmarks
        List<Bookmark> bookmarkList = bookmarks.getBookmarks();

        // Retrieve a specific bookmark by its index
        Bookmark bookmark = bookmarkList.get(5);

        // Add a new bookmark after the specified bookmark
        bookmark.addNextBookmark("Fourth Page", 6);

        // Add another layer to 'Third page' bookmark
        bookmark.addChildBookmark("Section 1", 7);

        // Save the modified PDF
        pdf.saveAs(Path.of("specificIndex.pdf"));
    }
}
JAVA

Please note
If you merge two PDF documents together whose bookmarks share identical names, this can lead to a disruption in the bookmark list itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of adding bookmarks and outlines to a PDF?

Adding bookmarks and outlines to a PDF improves usability and navigation, allowing users to easily navigate to key pages within the document similar to a table of contents.

How can I add bookmarks to a PDF using IronPDF in Java?

To add bookmarks to a PDF using IronPDF in Java, load the PDF with the PdfDocument class, use the BookmarkManager class to create and customize bookmarks, and then save the PDF document with the new bookmarks.

What is the role of the BookmarkManager class in IronPDF?

The BookmarkManager class in IronPDF is used to manage bookmarks in a PDF document. It allows you to add, customize, retrieve, and organize bookmarks within the document.

How do I set up a license for IronPDF in Java?

To set up a license for IronPDF in Java, use the License.setLicenseKey method with your specific license key before using any PDF functionalities.

Can I add multiple layers of bookmarks in a PDF using IronPDF?

Yes, you can add multiple layers of bookmarks in a PDF using IronPDF by using the insertBookmark method to create child bookmarks under existing bookmarks, forming a hierarchical structure.

How do I retrieve existing bookmarks from a PDF using IronPDF?

To retrieve existing bookmarks from a PDF using IronPDF, load the PDF with the PdfDocument class, access the BookmarkManager object, and use the getBookmarks method to obtain a list of all bookmarks.

What method should I use to add a bookmark at a specific index in a PDF?

Use the addNextBookmark method to add a new bookmark after a specific bookmark, and the addChildBookmark method to add a child bookmark as a deeper layer within the PDF.

What should I be cautious about when merging PDFs with bookmarks?

When merging PDFs with bookmarks, ensure that bookmark names are unique to avoid disruptions in the bookmark list.

What is zero-based indexing in the context of PDF bookmarks?

Zero-based indexing means that page numbers start from zero, so the first page of the PDF is index 0, the second page is index 1, and so on.

How can I save a PDF with modified bookmarks using IronPDF?

After modifying bookmarks in a PDF using IronPDF, use the saveAs method of the PdfDocument class to save the document with the changes.

Darrius Serrant
Darrius Serrant
  Chat with engineering team now
Full Stack Software Engineer (WebOps)

Darrius Serrant holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Miami and works as a Full Stack WebOps Marketing Engineer at Iron Software. Drawn to coding from a young age, he saw computing as both mysterious and accessible, making it the perfect medium for creativity and problem-solving.

At Iron Software, Darrius enjoys creating new things and simplifying complex concepts to make them more understandable. As one of our resident developers, he has also volunteered to teach students, sharing his expertise with the next generation.

For Darrius, his work is fulfilling because it is valued and has a real impact.

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