Regardless of the shape of the button you make in InDesign, the clickable area becomes rectangular in the in5-exported content. You can, however, make the clickable area an irregular shape by using multiple rectangles of varying sizes as a collection of buttons.


For example, here's a map of the United States. The goal would be to make each state clickable.

A map of the United States with angular outlines around each state


You could try to use the Pen tool to outline the shape of a state. However, when you convert the shape to a button, InDesign makes the button rectangular and the exported clickable area is consequently rectangular.


Missouri outlined with the Pen tool
The vector outline of Missouri converted into a button


Instead of making one button that turns into a rectangle, make multiple rectangles of various sizes to approximate the desired shape. When the shapes are all converted to buttons (you'll want to make them all have the same settings), then each shape represents the clickable area.

Note: If it's helpful to see the shape, use a color for the rectangles, but make sure to set them all to be invisible (no stroke and no fill) before converting them into buttons.

Multiple rectangles of varying sizes approximate the shape of the state of MissouriThe multiple invisible rectangles as buttons over Missouri


Then, when the content is exported, only the desired area will be clickable.


If you're new to creating buttons in InDesign, or need a refresher, check out the "Adding Interactivity with Buttons" lesson in our Digital Publishing Course.