The simplest way: copy the file path and paste it into a hyperlink

If you want someone to open a Word document by clicking a link, the fastest route depends on where that link lives. If you are linking from inside another Word document, you can insert a hyperlink directly to the file on your computer or network. If you are linking from a website, email, or Google Doc, you will need the document to live somewhere online — not just on your hard drive — because the other person's computer cannot see files that only exist on yours.

Start with the simplest case: linking from one Word document to another Word document on the same computer or shared network drive. Open the document where you want the link to appear. Highlight the text you want to turn into a clickable link. Right-click and choose "Link" (on Mac) or press Ctrl+K (on Windows). In the dialog box, click "Current Document" or "Browse" and navigate to the Word file you want to link to. Click "OK" and the link is live.

When you or someone else opens that first document and clicks the link, Word will open the second document. This works only if both files stay in the same relative location — if you move one file to a different folder, the link breaks.

Key Takeaways

  • Linking from one Word document to another on the same computer requires only a right-click and the file path; the link breaks if you move either file.
  • Linking from email, a website, or any other platform requires the Word document to be stored online (OneDrive, SharePoint, Google Drive, or a web server), not on your local hard drive.
  • OneDrive and SharePoint links stay live even if you move the file, as long as you move it within the same OneDrive or SharePoint site.
  • A shared link in OneDrive or SharePoint can be set to "view only" so the person who clicks it cannot edit or delete the document.

Linking from email or a website: upload the document to OneDrive or SharePoint first

If the link needs to live in an email message, a website, or anywhere outside of Word, the document must be stored online. Your computer's hard drive is not accessible to someone reading your email on their phone or visiting your website. You need a cloud storage service that generates a shareable web link.

OneDrive (Microsoft's cloud storage, included free with a Microsoft account) is the simplest option if you already use Windows or Office. Upload your Word document to OneDrive by dragging it into the OneDrive folder on your computer, or by going to onedrive.live.com, clicking "Upload," and selecting the file. Once it is there, right-click the file, choose "Share," and OneDrive will generate a link you can copy and paste into an email or website. You can set the link to "view only" so recipients cannot edit the document, or "edit" if you want them to be able to make changes.

SharePoint (a Microsoft service often used by workplaces and schools) works the same way. If your organization uses SharePoint, upload the document to a SharePoint library, right-click it, and choose "Share" to get a link. SharePoint links are more stable than OneDrive links if you plan to move or rename the file later — the link will still work as long as the file stays within the same SharePoint site.

Google Drive works identically if you prefer not to use Microsoft's services. Upload the document (Word files open and edit in Google Drive), right-click it, choose "Share," and copy the link. The document must be in .docx format for this to work smoothly.

Why the link might break, and how to fix it

A link from one local Word document to another breaks when you move, rename, or delete either file. Word stores the file path (the exact location on your computer), not just the file name. If you move the document to a different folder, Word cannot find it anymore. The link will show an error message when someone tries to click it.

To fix a broken link, right-click it and choose "Edit Link" (on Mac) or "Edit Hyperlink" (on Windows). Navigate to the new location of the file and click "OK." If you do not know where the file is, use your computer's search function to find it first.

Links to files on OneDrive or SharePoint are more forgiving. If you rename the file or move it to a different folder within the same OneDrive or SharePoint site, the link usually still works. If you move the file to a completely different OneDrive account or SharePoint site, you will need to generate a new link.

Linking to a specific page or heading within a Word document

Word allows you to link not just to the document itself, but to a specific heading or bookmark inside it. This is useful if the document is long and you want the reader to jump directly to the section they need.

First, create a bookmark at the location you want to link to. Open the document, click at the spot where you want the bookmark, go to the "Insert" tab, click "Bookmark," give it a name (no spaces allowed), and click "Add." Now open the document where you want the link to appear. Highlight your link text, right-click, and choose "Link." Navigate to the Word document and click "Bookmark" or "Anchor" (the name varies by version). Select the bookmark you created and click "OK."

This works only for links between local Word documents or within the same document. If you are linking from email or a website to a document on OneDrive or SharePoint, you cannot link to a specific heading — the link will open the whole document at the top.

Embedding a Word document versus linking to it

Linking and embedding are different. A link is a clickable reference that opens the document in a new window. Embedding means the document content appears directly inside another file — you see the text or pages without opening a separate window.

Word can embed another Word document, but the embedded copy does not update automatically if the original changes. If you embed a document and then edit the original, the embedded version stays the same. For this reason, embedding is rarely the right choice. Linking is almost always better because the reader always sees the current version of the document.

If you need the document content to appear inside another file and update automatically, consider using a shared OneDrive or SharePoint link instead, or ask whether the other file format (like a webpage or PDF) would work better for your needs.

Sharing a link safely: permissions and access control

When you generate a shareable link in OneDrive or SharePoint, you control who can see it and what they can do. Before you share, decide whether the recipient should be able to view only or edit the document.

In OneDrive, right-click the file, choose "Share," and look at the permission settings. "View only" means the person can read the document but cannot change it. "Edit" means they can make changes, and those changes will be visible to anyone else with the link. "Specific people" means only the people you name can access it, even if they have the link. Choose "Specific people" if the document contains sensitive information.

In SharePoint, permissions work the same way, but they are often managed by your organization's IT team. Ask your IT department if you are unsure what permissions are set on a SharePoint library.

Be aware that a "view only" link does not prevent someone from taking a screenshot or copying the text. If the document is truly confidential, consider whether a link is the right way to share it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a link to a Word document that is only on my computer?

No. The person who clicks the link needs to be able to reach the file, and they cannot access your hard drive. The document must be stored on OneDrive, SharePoint, Google Drive, or another online service. You can email the file itself as an attachment, but that is not the same as a link.

What happens if I delete the Word document after I have shared the link?

The link will stop working. If the document is on OneDrive or SharePoint, the person who clicks the link will see an error message saying the file is no longer available. If it is a local file link between two Word documents, the link will show an error when opened. Keep the document in its original location as long as people need to access it through the link.

Can I make a link that opens a Word document in read-only mode so no one can edit it?

In OneDrive and SharePoint, you can set the link permission to "view only," which prevents editing. However, this is not the same as true read-only mode — a determined user can still copy the text or read the file. If you need stronger protection, consider converting the document to PDF, which is harder to edit accidentally.

Why does my link show a preview instead of opening the document?

OneDrive and SharePoint sometimes show a preview pane instead of opening the full document. This is usually a browser setting. The person clicking the link can click "Open in Word" or "Edit in Word" to open the full document. If you want the link to always open the document directly, ask your IT department to adjust the sharing settings.

Can I link to a Word document from a Google Doc or other non-Microsoft file?

Yes. Paste the OneDrive or SharePoint link into the Google Doc, and it will become a clickable link. The document does not have to be in a Microsoft service — you can link to a Word document stored on Google Drive the same way. The link will work as long as the document stays online and the person who clicks it has permission to view it.