Creating a hyperlink in Word takes three clicks

To add a hyperlink in Microsoft Word, select the text you want to turn into a link, then right-click it and choose Link from the menu. In the dialog box that opens, paste or type the web address you want to link to, then click OK. The text will turn blue and underlined, and clicking it will open that web address in your browser.

If you want to link to something other than a web page — like a different part of the same document, an email address, or a file on your computer — the process is the same up to the dialog box. Once the dialog opens, you'll see options on the left side for Existing File or Web Page, Place in This Document, Create New Document, and E-mail Address. Choose whichever matches what you're linking to, then fill in the details.

Key Takeaways

  • Select your text, right-click, and choose Link to open the hyperlink dialog in one motion.
  • Paste the full web address (starting with http:// or https://) into the address field, then click OK.
  • Use the Place in This Document option to link to a heading or bookmark elsewhere in the same file.
  • The E-mail Address option creates a link that opens the reader's email program when clicked.
  • You can edit or remove a hyperlink by right-clicking it and choosing Edit Link or Remove Link.

Linking to a website or web page

Start by highlighting the words you want to become clickable. This is usually a phrase like "click here" or the name of the website itself. Avoid selecting the entire URL — that makes the link harder to read in the document.

Right-click the selected text. A menu will appear. Look for the option that says Link (in newer versions of Word) or Insert Link (in older versions). Click it, and a dialog box titled Insert Hyperlink will open.

In the address field at the bottom of the dialog, paste or type the full web address. It must start with http:// or https:// — if you paste just "google.com" without the protocol, Word may not recognize it as a web address. Once the address is in the field, click OK. Your text is now a hyperlink.

Linking to another part of the same document

This is useful when you have a long document with a table of contents or multiple sections. You can create a link that jumps readers directly to a heading or section they want to read.

First, make sure the destination you want to link to is formatted as a heading. Select the text you want to turn into a link, right-click it, and open the Insert Hyperlink dialog. On the left side of the dialog, click Place in This Document. A list of all the headings in your document will appear. Click the heading you want to link to, then click OK.

If the destination is not a heading but just regular text, you'll need to create a bookmark first. Select the text you want to link to, then go to the Insert menu at the top and click Bookmark. Give it a straightforward name (no spaces), then click Add. Now when you create a hyperlink and choose Place in This Document, that bookmark will appear in the list.

Creating email links

An email link opens the reader's email program and pre-fills the "To" field with an address. Select the text you want to turn into a link (usually something like "contact us" or an email address itself), right-click, and open Insert Hyperlink.

On the left side, click E-mail Address. Type the email address in the field that appears. You can also add a subject line if you want — the email will open with that text already in the subject field. Click OK when you're done.

Editing and removing hyperlinks

To change where a hyperlink points, right-click it and select Edit Link. The Insert Hyperlink dialog will open again. Change the address or destination, then click OK.

To remove a hyperlink but keep the text, right-click the link and choose Remove Link. The text will stay in your document, but it will no longer be blue or underlined, and clicking it won't do anything. If you want to delete the text itself, just select it and press Delete.

You can also hover over a hyperlink and press Ctrl (on Windows) or Command (on Mac) while clicking to open the link in your browser without leaving Word. This is useful for testing links before you share the document.

Why hyperlinks matter in shared documents

When you share a Word document with others, hyperlinks make it easier for them to navigate long files or find related information without leaving the document. A table of contents with working links saves readers time, and email links let people contact you directly from the document.

Keep in mind that hyperlinks only work when the document is opened on a computer or device with internet access. If someone prints the document, the links won't be clickable on paper. Also, if you move or delete a file that a hyperlink points to, that link will break — Word won't warn you, so test important links before sharing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the color of a hyperlink?

Yes. Go to the Design tab at the top of Word, click Colors, and choose a color scheme. This changes the hyperlink color throughout the entire document. If you want to change just one link's color, you'll need to use the Styles menu, which is more advanced.

What if the hyperlink text is too long?

You can link any text to any address. Select a short phrase like "read more" or "this article" instead of the entire URL. The link will work the same way, but the document will look cleaner.

Do hyperlinks work in PDFs created from Word?

Yes, if you save the document as a PDF from Word (using File > Save As and choosing PDF format), the hyperlinks will remain clickable in the PDF. However, links to other parts of the document may not work the same way in PDF as they do in Word.

Can I see all the hyperlinks in my document at once?

Not in a single list, but you can use Ctrl+A to select all text, then right-click and choose Edit Links to see and manage all hyperlinks in the document at once. This is useful for checking that none of your links are broken.