Turning a word or phrase into a clickable link in Microsoft Word makes documents easier to use, whether you’re pointing readers to a website, another section of the document, a file, or an email address. This guide covers adding links with the keyboard shortcut, linking to places inside your document, editing and removing links, and the settings that control how links open.
Quick Answer
Select the word, press Ctrl + K (Cmd + K on Mac), paste the web address into the Address box, and click OK. The word turns blue and underlined. Hold Ctrl and click it to open the link.
Link a Word to a Website
- Copy the web address from your browser.
- In Word, select the word or phrase you want to link.
- Press Ctrl + K, or go to Insert > Link, or right-click and choose Link.
- Make sure Existing File or Web Page is selected on the left.
- Paste the URL into Address and click OK.
Tip: add a ScreenTip in the dialog to show a short description when readers hover over the link.
Link to Another Place in the Document
- Make sure the destination is a heading (using a Heading style) or a bookmark (Insert > Bookmark).
- Select the word you want to link and press Ctrl + K.
- Click Place in This Document and choose the heading or bookmark.
- Click OK.
This is great for tables of contents, “see section 3” references, and long reports.
Link to an Email Address or File
- Email: choose E-mail Address, enter the address and an optional subject. Clicking opens a new email.
- File: choose Existing File or Web Page and browse to the file. The link only works where that file is accessible, such as a shared network folder or cloud link.
Edit or Remove a Link
- Edit: right-click the link and choose Edit Hyperlink.
- Remove: right-click and choose Remove Hyperlink. The text stays; only the link goes.
- Remove all links: select all (Ctrl + A) and press Ctrl + Shift + F9. Note this converts all fields to plain text, including things like page numbers in the body.
Link Settings Worth Knowing
- Click without Ctrl: go to File > Options > Advanced and uncheck Use CTRL + Click to follow hyperlink.
- Stop automatic links: Word turns typed URLs into links automatically. Turn this off in File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options > AutoFormat As You Type by unchecking Internet and network paths with hyperlinks.
- Change link color: modify the Hyperlink style in the Styles pane, or change the theme colors under Design > Colors.
To change the link text later, rename the hyperlink.
For every way to add links, including links to headings and email addresses, see how to insert a hyperlink in Microsoft Word.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do links still work when I save as PDF?
Yes. Use File > Save As > PDF (or Export) and links stay clickable.
Why doesn’t my link open?
Hold Ctrl while clicking, check that the address starts with https://, or make sure a linked file hasn’t moved.
Can I link a picture?
Yes. Select the picture and press Ctrl + K the same way.
Summary
- Select the word and press Ctrl + K.
- Paste a URL, or choose Place in This Document or E-mail Address.
- Click OK, then Ctrl + click to test it.
- Right-click to edit or remove 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.