Excel 2013 turns web and email addresses into clickable links as you type. That is handy sometimes, but annoying in lists where you just want plain text. You can stop the automatic conversion in AutoCorrect settings without affecting existing links. Office 2013 reached end of support on April 11, 2023, so it no longer receives security updates.
Quick Answer
Open File, Options, Proofing, AutoCorrect Options, select AutoFormat As You Type, uncheck Internet and network paths with hyperlinks, and click OK.
How to Disable Automatic Hyperlinks in Excel 2013
- Click File, then Options.
- Select Proofing and click AutoCorrect Options.
- Open the AutoFormat As You Type tab.
- Uncheck Internet and network paths with hyperlinks.
- Click OK twice. New addresses you type stay as plain text.
Hyperlink Options
| Task | How |
|---|---|
| Stop new automatic links | Uncheck the AutoFormat option |
| Undo one link as you type | Press Ctrl+Z right after it appears |
| Remove existing links | Select cells, right-click, Remove Hyperlinks |
| Keep text, drop link formatting | Clear Formats after removing |
Troubleshooting
- Existing links remain: this setting only affects new entries. Select the cells and choose Remove Hyperlinks.
- Links still appear when pasting: pasted content may already be a link. Use Paste Special, Values.
- To remove links in bulk, see how to remove all hyperlinks in Excel 2013.
- To remove link underlines, read how to remove the underline from links in Excel 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this setting apply to all workbooks?
Yes. It is an Excel-wide setting.
Can I still add links manually?
Yes. Use Insert, Hyperlink or Ctrl+K.
Does Word have the same setting?
Yes, in Word’s AutoCorrect Options, AutoFormat As You Type.
Summary
- Open File, Options, Proofing.
- Click AutoCorrect Options.
- Uncheck the hyperlink option.
- Click OK.
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.