The basic way to add a hyperlink

To add a hyperlink in most document editors, select the text you want to turn into a link, then use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+K (Windows) or Command+K (Mac). A dialog box will appear asking for the web address. Paste or type the full URL — for example, https://www.example.com — and click OK or Insert. The text will now appear as a clickable link, usually in blue and underlined.

If you want to link to a specific page or document without selecting text first, you can type the text you want to display, select it, then follow the same process. Some editors also let you right-click the selected text and choose "Link" or "Insert Link" from the menu instead of using the keyboard shortcut.

Key Takeaways

  • Select your text, press Ctrl+K or Command+K, paste the web address, and click OK to create a link in seconds.
  • Always use the full web address starting with https:// or http://, not just example.com.
  • You can link to external websites, email addresses, or other documents depending on what your editor supports.
  • Test your links before sharing the document to make sure they point to the right place and actually work.

Linking to email addresses

To create a link that opens someone's email program when clicked, select your text and open the link dialog the same way — Ctrl+K or Command+K. Instead of a web address, type mailto: followed by the email address with no spaces. For example: mailto:contact@example.com. When someone clicks this link, their default email program will open with that address already filled in as the recipient.

This works in Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and most other editors. Some editors have a separate option for email links in the link dialog, so look for a button or dropdown that says "Email" before typing the mailto: format.

Linking to other pages in the same document

If you are working on a longer document with headings and sections, you can link to those sections from elsewhere in the document. Select your text and open the link dialog. Look for an option that says "Heading," "Bookmark," "Internal Link," or "Link to Document." The editor will show you a list of all the headings in your document. Click the one you want to link to, and the link will jump readers to that section when they click it.

This is useful for tables of contents, navigation within long reports, or pointing readers to related sections. The exact steps vary by editor — Google Docs calls these "Heading" links, while Microsoft Word uses "Bookmark" — but the idea is the same: you are pointing to a location inside your own document instead of somewhere external.

Changing or removing a link

To edit a link you have already created, click on it or place your cursor inside the linked text. Press Ctrl+K or Command+K again, and the link dialog will open showing the current URL. You can change the address, delete it and type a new one, or click "Remove Link" to turn the text back into plain text without a link.

If you want to change only the text that displays but keep the link pointing to the same place, right-click the link and look for "Edit Link Text" or similar. This lets you change what readers see without changing where the link goes.

Making sure your links work

Before you share your document, test each link by holding Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and clicking it, or by right-clicking and choosing "Open Link." The page or email program should open correctly. If a link is broken — the page no longer exists or the address was typed wrong — readers will see an error message instead of reaching the destination.

Pay attention to the exact spelling of web addresses. A link to https://www.example.com will not work if you typed https://www.exampel.com by mistake. If you are linking to a page deep inside a website, copy the full address from your browser's address bar rather than typing it by hand.

Privacy and security when adding links

When you add a link to an external website, that website's owner can sometimes see that the link came from your document, depending on how the document is shared. If you are concerned about privacy, review which websites you are linking to and whether you want those sites to know your document exists.

Be cautious about links in documents you receive from others. Hover over a link (without clicking) to see where it actually points — sometimes the displayed text says one thing but the link goes somewhere else. This is a common way phishing attacks work. If a link looks suspicious or points to an unexpected address, do not click it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a link open in a new tab or window?

Yes. In Google Docs, click the link, then click the small arrow icon that appears and choose "Open link in new window." In Microsoft Word, right-click the link, select "Edit Link," and check the box for "Open in new window." This prevents readers from losing their place in your document when they click the link.

What if the link address is really long?

You can display any text you want as the link. Instead of showing the full URL, select shorter text like "click here" or "learn more," then add the long URL behind it. Readers will see only the short text, but clicking it will take them to the full address you entered.

Can I link to a file on my computer?

You can link to files stored on your computer or network, but the link will only work for people who have access to that same file location. If you are sharing the document with others, linking to a file on your personal computer will not work for them. Upload the file to a shared location like Google Drive or Dropbox first, then link to it there.

Do links stay the same if I move or rename the document?

External links (to websites) will work no matter where you move your document. Links to other files or sections within your document may break if you move the document to a different folder or if the linked file is moved or deleted. Test your links after moving documents to make sure they still work.