Google is developing a game-changing enhancement for its Chrome browser that will facilitate sharing specific sections of long PDF documents.
The upcoming feature, known as “Text Fragments,” will allow users to create shareable links that point directly to highlighted text within PDFs. This significantly expands the “link to highlight” capability already available for standard web pages.
Chrome users can select any text on a webpage, generate a link, and share it. Clicking the link takes the recipient straight to the highlighted content. However, this functionality has not been extended to PDFs—until now.
How It Works
The feature was recently spotted by a Chromium code sleuth, Leo, who shared their findings on X (formerly Twitter). According to a commit on the Chromium Gerrit repository, users will soon be able to:
- Select text within a PDF.
- Click “Copy link to highlight.”
- Share the generated link, which directs others to the exact text within the document.
When implemented, this enhancement will save users time and frustration, particularly when navigating lengthy PDFs.
Although testing is underway, Google has yet to announce a release date for the stable version of this feature. Once launched, this functionality will cement Chrome’s position as a leader in browser innovation, making it even more indispensable for researchers, students, and professionals.
The prospect of linking directly to specific parts of PDFs is thrilling, particularly for those who frequently share detailed documents. With these upcoming updates, Chrome users can look forward to a smoother, more intuitive browsing experience.
