You generated bookmarks, but every chapter jumps to the wrong page.
This is a classic PDF offset problem. It usually happens when printed page numbers do not match actual PDF index positions.
Why Page Offset Happens
Common reasons include:
- cover pages before chapter 1,
- prefatory pages using Roman numerals,
- inserted pages during export,
- source TOC based on print numbering.
The key point: if all bookmarks are shifted by the same amount, you should not edit one by one.
The Correct Fix: Global Offset Adjustment
A global offset applies one delta value to all bookmark targets.
Example:
- expected chapter start: page 12
- actual jump location: page 16
- required offset:
-4
After one adjustment, every node is recalculated automatically.
Quick Validation Workflow
Use this validation order:
- Check first-level chapter bookmarks.
- Verify 2-3 deep-level nodes.
- Export and test in your target PDF reader.
If most bookmarks are still consistently shifted, tweak offset once more. Do not individually patch nodes unless only a few are wrong.
Best Practices for Stable Exports
- Lock the document version before final bookmark correction.
- Avoid inserting or deleting pages after final offset calibration.
- Keep a copy of the original input for traceability.
Final Takeaway
Global page offset correction is one of the most valuable features in PDF bookmark editing. It turns a painful manual repair task into a 1-2 minute operation.