The fastest way to add a link in Word

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 in the "Address" field, then click OK. The text turns blue and underlined — that's your link.

If you want to link to something other than a web page — like an email address or a place within the same document — the process is the same, but the dialog box gives you different options for what goes in the address field. Word handles all three types of links through that single keyboard shortcut.

You can also right-click the selected text and choose "Link" from the menu that appears, but the keyboard shortcut is faster once you use it a few times.

Key Takeaways

  • Select text, press Ctrl+K (or Command+K on Mac), type the web address, and click OK to create a link to a website.
  • To link to an email address, use the same shortcut but type mailto: followed by the email address in the Address field.
  • You can link to a specific place in the same document by selecting "Place in This Document" in the link dialog and choosing the heading or bookmark you want to jump to.
  • Once a link is created, Ctrl+click (or Command+click on Mac) follows it; right-click the link to edit or remove it.

Adding a link to a website

Start by highlighting the words you want to become a clickable link. This is usually a phrase like "click here" or the name of a website, but it can be any text. Then press Ctrl+K on Windows or Command+K on Mac.

A box titled "Insert Hyperlink" appears. In the field labeled "Address," paste the full web address — for example, https://www.example.com. If you type it without the https:// part, Word usually adds it automatically. Click the OK button at the bottom of the box.

The text you selected now appears in blue and underlined. That's Word's standard way of showing a link exists. When someone reading the document holds Ctrl and clicks that text (or Command+click on Mac), their browser opens the website.

Linking to an email address

Select the text you want to turn into an email link — often something like "contact us" or an actual email address. Press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Command+K (Mac) to open the Insert Hyperlink dialog.

In the Address field, type mailto: followed when ready by the email address with no space. For example: mailto:support@example.com. Click OK.

When someone clicks this link, their default email program opens with a new message addressed to that email. This is useful in documents you share with others, but be aware that publishing an email address as a clickable link on the internet can attract spam. If the document will be public, consider using a contact form instead.

Linking to a location within the same document

This feature lets readers jump from one part of a long document to another — for example, a table of contents that links to each section. First, select the text that will become the link. Press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Command+K (Mac).

In the Insert Hyperlink dialog, look for a button or option labeled "Place in This Document" — its location varies slightly between Word versions, but it's usually on the left side of the dialog. Click it.

A list appears showing all the headings and bookmarks in your document. Select the heading or location you want the link to jump to, then click OK. The link now points to that spot instead of a website. When someone clicks it, Word scrolls to that location automatically.

If you want to link to a location that isn't a heading, you can create a bookmark first. Select the text or location you want to mark, go to the Insert menu, choose Bookmark, give it a name, and click Add. Then create your link and choose that bookmark from the "Place in This Document" list.

Editing or removing a link

To change where a link points, right-click the blue underlined text and select "Edit Link" from the menu. The Insert Hyperlink dialog opens again. Change the address and click OK.

To remove a link entirely while keeping the text, right-click it and choose "Remove Link." The text stays in your document but turns black and is no longer clickable. You can also select the link and press Ctrl+Shift+F9 on Windows to remove all links at once, though this affects every link in the document.

If you want to change the text that appears but keep the link pointing to the same place, right-click the link, select "Edit Link," then click the "Display Text" button. Type the new text and click OK.

Why your link might not work the way you expect

If you paste a web address directly into your document without selecting text first and using Ctrl+K, Word sometimes turns it into a link automatically. This is usually helpful, but if it doesn't happen, you can always select the address and use the keyboard shortcut manually.

Links in Word documents only work when the document is opened in Word or a compatible program. If you save the document as a PDF or plain text file, links may not function the same way. If you're sharing a document where links matter, keep it in Word format (.docx) or convert it to PDF in a way that preserves links — Word's "Export as PDF" option does this automatically.

When you email a Word document to someone, they need to hold Ctrl (or Command on Mac) and click the link to follow it. A single click won't work. This is a safety feature to prevent accidental navigation while editing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the color of a hyperlink?

Yes. Go to the Design tab (or Home tab in older versions), find the Colors option, and choose a color scheme. You can also right-click a link, select "Font," and change its color manually. Keep in mind that changing link colors can make it harder for readers to recognize them as clickable.

What if I want to link to a file on my computer instead of a website?

Select your text and press Ctrl+K. In the Insert Hyperlink dialog, click "Current Folder" or "Browse" to navigate to the file on your computer. Select it and click OK. The link will open that file when clicked, but only if the file stays in the same location — if you move the file, the link breaks.

How do I make a link open in a new window?

Right-click the link and select "Edit Link." Look for a button labeled "Target Frame" or "Open in New Window" — this varies by Word version. Select the option and click OK. Now the link opens in a separate window instead of replacing the current one.

Can I add a link to a PDF file?

Yes, use the same process: select text, press Ctrl+K, and browse to the PDF file on your computer or paste a link to a PDF on the web. The link works the same way as any other file link, opening the PDF when clicked.