To insert a video in Word, click Insert > Online Videos (or Online Video), paste the video’s link from YouTube, Vimeo or another supported site, and click Insert. The video appears in your document as a thumbnail with a play button, and readers can play it right inside Word. Word for Windows and Microsoft 365 don’t embed video files from your computer the way PowerPoint does, so for a local video, upload it to OneDrive, YouTube or Stream and insert the link, or insert it as an object or hyperlink.
Below are the steps for each method, which versions support online video, and what to do when the option is missing or grayed out.
Method 1: Insert an online video
- Copy the video’s address from your browser, or use the Share button on YouTube to copy the link.
- In Word, click where you want the video.
- Click Insert > Online Videos in the Media group.
- Paste the link and click Insert.
- Resize the video by dragging its corners, and use Layout Options to change how text wraps around it.
Click the play button to watch the video in a pop-up player. An internet connection is needed to play it.
Method 2: Link to a video file
If the video is on your computer or a network drive and you don’t want to upload it:
- Type the text you want to click, such as “Watch the training video.”
- Select the text and press Ctrl + K.
- Browse to the video file or paste its OneDrive or SharePoint link, and click OK.
Readers click the link to open the video in their default player or browser. If you send the document, use a cloud link so others can open it.
Method 3: Insert a video file as an object
- Click Insert > Object > Create from File.
- Click Browse, choose the video, and check Display as icon.
- Click OK.
The video is embedded in the document as an icon that opens in the default video player. This makes the file much larger and may trigger security prompts, so cloud links are usually better.
Which method should you use?
| Method | Plays inside Word | File size | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online video | Yes | Small | YouTube and other online videos |
| Hyperlink | No, opens externally | Small | Videos in OneDrive, SharePoint or on a network |
| Embedded object | No, opens in a player | Large | Offline sharing when links won’t work |
Online Videos is grayed out or missing
- Old file format: Documents saved as .doc (Word 97-2003) don’t support online video. Click File > Info > Convert.
- Compatibility mode: If the title bar says Compatibility Mode, convert the document to the current format.
- Organization settings: Your IT department may turn off online content. Check File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Privacy Options.
- Word for Mac and the web: Online video support varies by version. If it isn’t available, use a hyperlink instead.
Tips
- Use a thumbnail-sized video inside a document so it doesn’t push text onto extra pages.
- Add a caption below with References > Insert Caption.
- If you’ll print or save as PDF, add the video link as text too, since the video won’t play on paper or in many PDF viewers.
Related: search a YouTube video for a word.
Related: put a YouTube video in Google Slides.
Frequently asked questions
Can I embed an MP4 file directly in Word?
Not as a playable video like in PowerPoint. Use Online Videos with a cloud link, a hyperlink, or an embedded object.
Will the video play if I send the Word file to someone?
Online videos play for anyone with an internet connection and a recent version of Word. Linked files on your computer won’t open for them.
Can I start the video at a specific time?
Many sites, including YouTube, let you copy a link that starts at a set time. Use that link when inserting.
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.