Bookmarks let you jump to specific spots in a long document
A bookmark in Google Docs is a marker you place at a specific location in your document. When you add a bookmark, you create a link that takes you directly to that spot — useful when you're working with a document that's dozens of pages long, or when you want to send someone a link to a particular section without making them scroll.
Bookmarks work in two parts. First, you place the bookmark at the location you want to mark. Then, you create a link elsewhere in the document (or share the bookmark link with someone else) that jumps to that marked spot when clicked. The bookmark itself is invisible to readers — only the link you create from it shows up as clickable text.
The process takes about 30 seconds once you know where the menu is. Google Docs keeps the bookmark feature in the same place whether you're on a computer or using the mobile app, though the steps differ slightly.
Key Takeaways
- Place your cursor at the exact spot where you want the bookmark to sit, then use the Insert menu to add it.
- Name your bookmark something you'll recognize later — "Chapter 3 start" is more useful than "Bookmark 1".
- Create a link to the bookmark by selecting text, opening the link tool, and choosing the bookmark from the list.
- Bookmark links work in shared documents and when you send the document to others, as long as they have permission to view it.
- You can delete a bookmark by going back to Insert > Bookmark, finding it in the list, and clicking the trash icon next to its name.
How to place a bookmark in your document
Start by clicking at the exact location where you want the bookmark to sit. This is usually at the beginning of a section, a heading, or a paragraph you want to reference later. The cursor (the blinking line) marks where the bookmark will be placed.
Once your cursor is positioned, click the Insert menu at the top of the page. A dropdown list will appear. Scroll down until you see Bookmark and click it. A small bookmark icon will appear next to your cursor, and a text box will pop up asking you to name the bookmark.
Type a name that describes what's at this location. Use something specific like "Budget Summary" or "Client Contact Info" rather than generic names. This name is what you'll see later when you're creating links to this bookmark. Press Enter or click outside the text box when you're done. The bookmark is now placed, though you won't see it unless you look for it.
Creating a link that jumps to your bookmark
To make the bookmark actually useful, you need to create a link somewhere in your document that points to it. Start by selecting the text you want to turn into a link — this could be a word, a phrase, or a sentence. Click and drag to highlight it.
With the text selected, press Ctrl+K on Windows or Cmd+K on Mac. A link dialog box will open. Instead of typing a web address, look for the option that says Bookmarks (it may appear as a tab or dropdown in the dialog). Click it, and you'll see a list of all the bookmarks you've created in this document.
Click the bookmark you want to link to. The dialog will close, and your selected text is now a link. When you or anyone reading the document clicks that link, it will jump directly to the bookmarked location. The link appears in blue and underlined, just like a web link.
Using bookmarks in shared documents
Bookmarks work in documents you share with others, but the person viewing the document needs at least Viewer permission to follow the link. If you share a document as "Viewer only," people can click bookmark links and jump to those sections. If the document is restricted and someone doesn't have permission, the link won't work for them.
When you share a bookmark link directly with someone (by copying the link and sending it to them), they'll land on that specific section when they open it. This is helpful if you're asking a colleague to review a particular part of a long document — send them the bookmark link instead of asking them to find the section themselves.
Editing or removing a bookmark
If you need to change a bookmark's name, go back to Insert > Bookmark. You'll see a list of all bookmarks in your document. Hover over the bookmark you want to edit, and a pencil icon will appear. Click it to rename the bookmark.
To delete a bookmark entirely, open the same Insert > Bookmark menu, find the bookmark in the list, and click the trash icon next to it. Deleting a bookmark will break any links pointing to it — the links will still be blue and clickable, but they won't jump anywhere. If you've created links to a bookmark you're about to delete, update those links first or delete them too.
Bookmarks on mobile devices
The Google Docs mobile app (on iPhone, iPad, or Android) lets you add bookmarks, but the process is slightly different. Open your document, tap the three-line menu icon, and look for Insert. Tap Bookmark, position your cursor where you want it, and name the bookmark. The steps are the same; the menu just looks different on a smaller screen.
Creating links to bookmarks on mobile is less straightforward. You can select text and tap the link icon, but finding the bookmark option in the link menu is harder on a phone. If you're doing a lot of bookmark linking, it's easier to do that part on a computer. You can add bookmarks on mobile and create the links later on a desktop.
Common places to use bookmarks
Bookmarks are most useful in documents where readers need to jump between sections. A table of contents with bookmark links at the top of a long report lets readers click straight to the section they want. In a contract or agreement, you might bookmark key terms or signature pages so people can find them quickly.
If you're collaborating on a document and leaving comments for a teammate, you can create a bookmark at the section you're discussing and link to it in your comment. This saves them from hunting through pages to find what you're referring to. In training documents or manuals, bookmarks let readers navigate to the chapter or topic they need without scrolling through everything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see all the bookmarks in my document at once?
Yes. Go to Insert > Bookmark and you'll see a list of every bookmark in the document. This is the same menu where you add new bookmarks and delete old ones. If your document has many bookmarks, the list can get long, so naming them clearly helps you find the one you need.
What happens to bookmark links if I move the bookmarked text?
The bookmark stays attached to that location in the document. If you cut and paste the bookmarked paragraph to a different page, the bookmark moves with it, and links to that bookmark will still work. The bookmark is tied to the content, not to a page number.
Can I share just a bookmark link without sharing the whole document?
No. To use a bookmark link, someone needs access to the document itself. You can copy a bookmark link and send it to someone, but they'll only be able to open it if they already have permission to view the document. The link is a shortcut within the document, not a standalone thing you can share separately.
Do bookmarks show up when I print the document?
Bookmarks themselves don't print — they're invisible markers. However, any text you've turned into a bookmark link will print as blue underlined text (or however your printer handles links). The link won't be clickable in a printed copy, so bookmarks are mainly useful for digital documents.
Can I use bookmarks to link from one Google Doc to another?
No. Bookmarks only work within the same document. If you want to link between two separate Google Docs, you'll need to use regular web links instead — just copy the URL of the other document and paste it as a link. Bookmarks are for jumping around within a single file.