To put a link in Microsoft Word, select the text you want to turn into a link, press Ctrl + K (Command + K on a Mac), paste the web address into the Address box, and click OK. The text turns blue and underlined, and Ctrl-clicking it opens the page. You can also right-click the selected text and choose Link, or use Insert > Link.
How to add a hyperlink to text
- Select the words you want to link, like “Download the report.”
- Press Ctrl + K, or click Insert > Link > Insert Link.
- Make sure Existing File or Web Page is selected on the left.
- Paste the URL in the Address box. Check the Text to display box shows the words you selected.
- Click OK.
Quick option: paste or type a full web address like https://www.example.com and press Space or Enter. Word turns it into a link automatically.
Link to a place in the same document
- Use heading styles for the sections you want to link to, or add a bookmark with Insert > Bookmark.
- Select the text for the link and press Ctrl + K.
- Click Place in This Document, choose the heading or bookmark, and click OK.
Link to an email address or a file
- Email: In the Insert Hyperlink box, click E-mail Address, enter the address and an optional subject, and click OK. Clicking the link opens a new email.
- File: Choose Existing File or Web Page and browse to a file. For files others need to open, link to a shared OneDrive or SharePoint copy instead of a file on your PC.
Edit or remove a link
- Edit: Right-click the link and choose Edit Hyperlink.
- Remove: Right-click the link and choose Remove Hyperlink. The text stays, but it’s no longer a link.
- Remove all links: Press Ctrl + A, then Ctrl + Shift + F9. This removes all hyperlinks (and other fields), so use it carefully.
Open links with a single click
By default, you need to Ctrl-click links in Word. To open them with a normal click, go to File > Options > Advanced and uncheck Use CTRL + Click to follow hyperlink.
Stop Word from making links automatically
Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options > AutoFormat As You Type, and uncheck Internet and network paths with hyperlinks.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add a link in Word on a phone?
Select the text, tap Insert (or the three-dot menu) > Link, enter the address, and tap Insert.
Do links still work in a PDF?
Yes, when you save with File > Save As > PDF. Printing to PDF may not keep links.
Why is my link not blue?
The document’s style may format links differently. The link still works. Change it with the Hyperlink style in the Styles pane.
Can I link an image?
Yes. Select the image, press Ctrl + K, and add the address the same way.
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.