To add a hyperlink in Google Docs, select the text you want to link, press Ctrl + K (Command + K on a Mac) or click Insert > Link, paste the web address (or search for a page or file), and click Apply. The text turns blue and underlined. To link to a spot in the same document, choose a heading or bookmark from the link box instead of pasting a URL.
This guide covers adding, editing, and removing links on a computer and in the mobile app, linking to headings, bookmarks, and other files, and fixing links that don’t work.
Add a link on a computer
- Select the text or image you want to link.
- Press Ctrl + K, or click the Insert link button on the toolbar, or choose Insert > Link.
- Paste a URL, or type to search for web pages and your Google Drive files.
- Click Apply.
Shortcut: paste a URL directly over selected text with Ctrl + V, and Docs turns the text into a link.
Link to a heading or bookmark
- Heading – format a section title with a heading style (Format > Paragraph styles). In the link box, choose it under Headings and bookmarks.
- Bookmark – click where you want to link to, choose Insert > Bookmark, then pick it in the link box.
Edit or remove a link
- Click the linked text. A small box appears.
- Click the pencil icon to change the text or URL, or the broken link icon to remove the link while keeping the text.
To remove many links, select the text and press Ctrl + \ to clear formatting, or right-click and choose Remove link.
Add a link in the mobile app
- Open the document and tap the Edit (pencil) button.
- Select the text.
- Tap Insert (+) > Link, or tap Insert link in the pop-up menu.
- Enter the URL and tap the check mark.
Smart chips and link previews
When you paste a link, Docs may offer to turn it into a smart chip, a compact preview of a file, place, or web page. Press Tab to accept, or keep typing to leave it as a normal link. You can also type @ followed by a file name to insert a file chip.
Troubleshooting
- Link opens the wrong page – make sure the URL starts with https:// and has no extra spaces.
- People can’t open a Drive file link – change the file’s sharing settings in Google Drive.
- Links don’t work in a downloaded PDF – download with File > Download > PDF; links usually remain clickable.
- Can’t edit links – you may have view-only or comment access.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change the color of links?
Select the linked text and change its Text color on the toolbar.
Can I link an image?
Yes. Click the image and press Ctrl + K.
How do I stop Docs from auto-linking URLs?
Go to Tools > Preferences and uncheck Automatically detect links.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.