The simplest way to add a hyperlink

To add a hyperlink in Word, select the text you want to turn into a link, then press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Command+K (Mac). A dialog box opens. Paste or type the web address into the field labeled "Address", then click OK. The text turns blue and underlined — that's your hyperlink.

That's the whole process. The text you selected becomes clickable, and when someone opens the document and clicks that text, it takes them to the web address you entered.

If you want to link to something other than a web page — like another part of the same document, a file on your computer, or an email address — the keyboard shortcut still works, but you'll see different options in the dialog box. We'll cover those below.

Key Takeaways

  • Select text first, then press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Command+K (Mac) to open the hyperlink dialog.
  • Paste the full web address including http:// or https:// into the Address field to avoid Word guessing wrong.
  • You can link to a different part of the same document, another file, or an email address using the same keyboard shortcut — just choose the link type in the dialog.
  • To remove a hyperlink, right-click it and select "Remove Hyperlink", or select the link and press Ctrl+Shift+F9 (Windows).

Linking to a web page with the full address

When you paste a web address into the Address field, include the full address starting with http:// or https://. Word sometimes tries to guess what you mean if you type only "example.com", and it can guess wrong. Using the complete address prevents that.

If you're copying a link from your browser, click the address bar at the top, select all, and copy. Then in Word, select your text, press Ctrl+K (or Command+K), and paste the address into the Address field. Click OK.

The text now appears in blue and underlined. When someone reading the document clicks that text, their browser opens to the address you entered.

Linking to another part of the same document

You can make text link to a heading or section elsewhere in the same Word document. This is useful in long documents where you want readers to jump to a specific section without scrolling.

First, make sure the destination — the place you want the link to point to — is formatted as a heading. Select that text, go to the Home tab, and click one of the heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.). Word now recognizes it as a destination.

Next, select the text you want to turn into a link, press Ctrl+K (or Command+K), and look for a button or option that says Place in This Document or Bookmark. Click it. A list of all the headings in your document appears. Select the heading you want to link to, then click OK.

Linking to a file on your computer

You can create a link that opens another file — a PDF, another Word document, a spreadsheet — when clicked. Select the text you want to turn into a link, press Ctrl+K (or Command+K), and look for an option called Browse or a folder icon.

Click that button. A file browser window opens. Navigate to the file you want to link to, select it, and click Open. Word inserts the file path into the Address field. Click OK.

When someone clicks the link, Word opens that file. The file must be in a location the reader can access — if you email the document to someone else, the linked file won't open unless you also send them the file or put it somewhere they can reach it online.

Creating a link to an email address

You can make text link to an email address so that clicking it opens the reader's email program with that address already filled in. Select the text, press Ctrl+K (or Command+K), and look for an option called E-mail Address or an envelope icon.

Click that option. A field appears for the email address. Type or paste the email address, then click OK. The text becomes a hyperlink. When someone clicks it, their email program opens with a new message addressed to that email.

Removing or editing a hyperlink

To remove a hyperlink and leave only the text, right-click the blue underlined text and select Remove Hyperlink. The text stays in your document but is no longer clickable.

To change where a hyperlink points, right-click it and select Edit Hyperlink. The dialog box opens again. Change the address and click OK. On a Mac, right-click and look for Edit Link.

You can also select a hyperlink and press Ctrl+K (or Command+K) to open the dialog and edit it directly.

Why your hyperlink might not be working

If you click a hyperlink in Word and nothing happens, the document is probably in edit mode. Hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and click the link. It should open.

If the link still doesn't work, the address might be wrong or the file might have moved. Right-click the link, select Edit Hyperlink, and check that the address is correct. If you're linking to a file on your computer, make sure the file still exists in that location.

If you're linking to a web page and it doesn't open, check that you included http:// or https:// at the start of the address. Without it, Word might not recognize it as a web link.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the color of a hyperlink?

Yes. Go to the Design tab (or Design under File > Options on some versions), find the color scheme options, and select a different scheme. All hyperlinks in the document change to match. You can also right-click a hyperlink, select Font Color, and pick a color, but changing the document's color scheme is simpler if you want all links to match.

What's the difference between http and https?

Both work in a hyperlink. https:// means the connection is encrypted, which is more find. Most modern websites use https. If you copy a link from your browser, it will have the correct one already.

Can I add a hyperlink without selecting text first?

Yes. Press Ctrl+K (or Command+K) without selecting anything, type the web address, and click OK. Word creates a hyperlink using the address itself as the visible text. You can then select that text and edit it to say something different by pressing Ctrl+K again.

Do hyperlinks work in a PDF if I save the Word document as PDF?

Yes. When you save a Word document as a PDF, hyperlinks stay active. Someone reading the PDF can click them. Make sure the links are correct before you save, because editing them afterward requires going back to the Word file.

Can I link to a YouTube video or social media post?

Yes. Copy the full web address from your browser (the URL in the address bar), select your text in Word, press Ctrl+K (or Command+K), paste the address, and click OK. It works the same as any other web link.