The simplest way to add a link in PowerPoint

To add a clickable link in PowerPoint, select the text or image you want to turn into a link, then right-click and choose Link from the menu. A dialog box opens where you paste the web address you want to link to. Click OK, and that text or image is now clickable during your presentation.

The link works the same way whether you're presenting on Windows or Mac. During a slideshow, hold Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) and click the link to open it in your browser. If you're just editing the slides and click a link by accident, PowerPoint will ask if you want to follow it or edit it instead.

You can link to websites, email addresses, other slides in your presentation, or files on your computer. Each type uses the same basic process: select, right-click, choose Link, and enter the destination.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any text or image, select Link, and paste a web address to make it clickable during your presentation.
  • Hold Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) while clicking a link during a slideshow to open it without stopping your presentation.
  • You can link to websites, email addresses, other slides in the same file, or documents stored on your computer.
  • Linked text usually appears underlined and in a different color so your audience knows it's clickable.

Linking to websites and web pages

Select the text or image you want to link. Right-click it and choose Link (on Windows) or Insert Link (on Mac). In the dialog that opens, paste the full web address in the field labeled Address or URL. Make sure the address starts with https:// or http://, or PowerPoint may not recognize it as a web link.

If you want the link to open in a new browser tab instead of replacing your presentation, look for an option that says Open in new window or Open in new tab and check it. This keeps your slideshow running in the background so you can return to it easily.

Test the link before you present. In edit mode, hold Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and click the link to make sure it goes where you intended. If the website has moved or the address changed, you'll find out before your audience does.

Linking to other slides in the same presentation

You can create a link that jumps to a different slide in your presentation. This is useful for presentations with a table of contents, or when you want to skip ahead to answer a question without losing your place.

Select your text or image, right-click, and choose Link. In the dialog, look for an option labeled Place in This Document or Link to Slide. A list of all your slides appears. Click the slide you want to jump to, then click OK. During your presentation, clicking that link takes you directly to that slide.

To return to where you were, you can create a link on the destination slide that jumps back, or you can use the slide sorter view (visible at the bottom of the presentation window) to click back to your original position.

Linking to files on your computer

You can link to a Word document, PDF, Excel spreadsheet, or any other file stored on your computer. Select your text or image, right-click, and choose Link. Look for an option that says Existing File or Web Page or Browse. Navigate to the file you want to link to, select it, and click OK.

When you click this link during a presentation, the file opens in whatever program is set to open that file type. A PDF opens in your PDF reader, a Word document opens in Word, and so on. The file must be in a location your computer can reach — if you move the file or present on a different computer, the link may break.

If you're presenting on a different computer than the one where you created the file, copy the linked file to the same folder as your PowerPoint presentation, or to a USB drive along with the presentation. This keeps the link working no matter where you present.

Linking to email addresses

To create a link that opens someone's email when clicked, select your text, right-click, and choose Link. Look for an option labeled Email Address or mailto. Type the email address in the field provided, and optionally add a subject line if you want the email to have a pre-filled subject.

When someone clicks this link during your presentation, their default email program opens with a new message addressed to that email. This is useful for contact information slides or when you want viewers to send you feedback after the presentation.

Be aware that clicking an email link requires the person to have an email client set up on their computer. If they use only web-based email like Gmail, the link may not work as expected.

Changing how links look and removing links you don't need

By default, linked text appears underlined and in a different color — usually blue for unvisited links and purple for visited ones. If you want to change how a link looks, select the linked text and use the font color, underline, or bold buttons in the toolbar just as you would for any other text. The link still works even if you remove the underline or change the color.

To remove a link entirely, right-click the linked text and choose Remove Link or Remove Hyperlink. The text stays on your slide, but it's no longer clickable. If you want to change where the link points instead of removing it, right-click and choose Edit Link to open the dialog again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I link to a specific page in a PDF file?

PowerPoint can link to a PDF file, but not to a specific page within it. When you click the link, the PDF opens to the first page. If you need to jump to a specific page, you can open the PDF separately and navigate to the page yourself, or use a PDF viewer that supports page-specific links.

What happens to links if I move or rename the PowerPoint file?

Links to websites and email addresses continue to work no matter where you move the file. Links to other slides in the same presentation also stay intact. Links to files on your computer may break if you move or rename those files, so keep linked files in the same folder as your presentation or on a portable drive if you present on different computers.

Can I make an entire image clickable as a link?

Yes. Select the image, right-click, and choose Link just as you would for text. The entire image becomes clickable. During your presentation, the cursor changes to a hand when you hover over the image, showing your audience it's clickable.

Do links work during a presentation if I'm not connected to the internet?

Links to websites require an internet connection to work. Links to other slides in your presentation and links to files on your computer work without internet. If you plan to present offline, test all your links beforehand and consider having a backup plan for website links.

How do I know if a link is working before I present?

In edit mode, hold Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) and click the link. If it opens the correct destination, the link works. Test all links the day before you present, especially links to websites, since web pages can move or change.