A long web address pasted into a Word document is hard to read and can break across lines in odd places. There are two ways to “shorten” it. The first, and usually the best, is to hide the URL behind short, readable text, so the reader sees “2026 pricing guide” instead of a string of characters. The second is to use a URL shortener to create a shorter address. This guide covers both and explains when each makes sense.
Quick answer
Select the long link, press Ctrl + K (Command + K on a Mac), type a short description in the Text to display box, and click OK. The link still works, but readers see only your text.
Method 1: Replace the URL with readable text
Step 1: Select the link
Click inside the long URL in your document, or select the words you want to turn into a link if you haven’t added the link yet.
Step 2: Open the hyperlink box
Press Ctrl + K, or right-click and choose Edit Hyperlink (or Link if it isn’t a link yet). You can also go to Insert > Link.
Step 3: Change the text to display
At the top of the dialog box, the Text to display field shows the long URL. Replace it with a short, descriptive phrase, such as “our return policy” or “the full report.”
Step 4: Check the address
Make sure the Address field at the bottom still contains the full, correct URL. If you’re creating a new link, paste the URL here.
Step 5: Click OK
The long URL disappears, and your short text appears in blue and underlined. Hover over it to see the real address, and press Ctrl while clicking to open it.
For more detail on changing link text, see our guide on renaming a hyperlink in Word. If you’re starting from scratch, see inserting a hyperlink in Word.
Method 2: Use a URL shortener
A URL shortener turns a long address into a short one, such as a link of 20 or so characters. This is useful when the URL itself needs to be visible, for example in a printed handout where readers have to type it.
- Copy the long URL.
- Paste it into a URL shortening service in your web browser and create the short link.
- Copy the short link and paste it into Word. Word turns it into a clickable hyperlink automatically.
Keep a few things in mind before using a shortener:
- Links can stop working if the service shuts down or deletes old links.
- Some readers don’t trust short links, because they hide where they lead. Some company email filters block them.
- Many services track clicks. That can be helpful for you but is worth knowing for privacy.
For documents that will be read on screen, Method 1 is usually the better choice.
Shorten links in Word for Mac and Word on the web
- Mac: Select the link and press Command + K. Change the Text to Display field and click OK.
- Word on the web: Select the link and press Ctrl + K, or right-click and choose Edit Link. Change the Display text field and click Apply.
Add a ScreenTip
In the Edit Hyperlink box on Windows, click ScreenTip and type a short note, like “Opens the 2026 price list.” It appears when someone hovers over the link, which helps readers know where it goes without showing the URL.
Troubleshooting
I see {HYPERLINK “…”} instead of my text
Word is showing field codes. Press Alt + F9 to switch back to normal view.
Word keeps turning URLs into long links
That’s AutoFormat. To stop it, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, open the AutoFormat As You Type tab, and uncheck Internet and network paths with hyperlinks.
I want to remove the link completely
Right-click it and choose Remove Hyperlink. The text stays, but it’s no longer clickable. See deleting a hyperlink in Word.
Tips
- Use descriptive link text instead of “click here.” It’s clearer and better for accessibility, since screen readers often read links on their own.
- If the document will be printed, include the URL somewhere readers can see it, such as a footnote or a reference list.
- Test every link before you share the document.
Summary
- Select the link and press Ctrl + K.
- Replace the long URL in Text to display with a short phrase.
- Click OK.
- Use a URL shortener only when the address itself must be visible.
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.