The two ways to add a link in Word

You can add a link to text or an image in Word in two ways: by right-clicking and selecting a link option, or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+K (on Windows) or Command+K (on Mac). Both methods open the same dialog box where you type or paste the web address you want to link to. The right-click method works if you have already selected the text; the keyboard shortcut works whether you have text selected or not.

The quickest path is usually the keyboard shortcut. Select the word or phrase you want to turn into a link, press Ctrl+K or Command+K, type the web address in the box that appears, and press Enter. Word automatically adds the link formatting — the text turns blue and underlined — and you can move on.

Key Takeaways

  • Select the text you want to link, then press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Command+K (Mac) to open the link dialog.
  • Paste or type the full web address, including https://, into the address field and press Enter.
  • Word recognizes web addresses you type and sometimes turns them into links automatically, which you can undo if you do not want the link.
  • You can link to files on your computer, email addresses, or bookmarks within the same document by choosing the appropriate option in the link dialog.
  • Right-click on an existing link and select "Remove Link" to delete it without deleting the text.

Linking to a website step by step

Start by selecting the text you want to become a link. Click at the beginning of the word or phrase, then drag to the end, or double-click a word and extend the selection by holding Shift and clicking. The text should be highlighted in blue.

Press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Command+K (Mac). A dialog box titled "Insert Hyperlink" will appear. In the field labeled "Address," paste or type the web address you want to link to. Include the https:// at the beginning — Word usually adds it automatically if you forget, but typing it yourself prevents confusion.

Press Enter or click OK. The text now appears in blue and underlined, and clicking it will open that web address in your default browser. If you want to change where the link points, select the text again, press Ctrl+K, and type a new address.

When Word creates links automatically

Word recognizes some web addresses and email addresses and turns them into links without you asking. If you type a web address like www.example.com or an email like name@example.com and then press Enter or Space, Word may automatically format it as a link. This happens because Word has an AutoCorrect setting that detects these patterns.

If you do not want Word to create a link automatically, press Ctrl+Z when ready after Word creates it. This undoes the link while keeping the text. If you want to turn off this behavior entirely, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, find the "Internet and network paths with hyperlinks" checkbox under the AutoFormat As You Type tab, and uncheck it. This stops Word from creating links on its own, but you can still create them manually whenever you choose.

Linking to files and email addresses

The same Ctrl+K shortcut works for linking to files on your computer. Select your text, press Ctrl+K, then look for a button or option labeled "Browse" or a folder icon in the dialog box. Click it to navigate to the file you want to link to. Word will create a link that opens that file when clicked.

To link to an email address, select your text, press Ctrl+K, then look for an option labeled "Email Address" or a mail icon in the dialog. Type the email address (without the mailto: prefix — Word adds that automatically), and optionally add a subject line if you want the email to open with a pre-filled subject. When someone clicks the link, their default email program will open with a new message to that address.

Linking to a specific place within your document

Word lets you link to bookmarks — specific locations — within the same document. This is useful in long documents where you want a table of contents to jump to different sections. First, select the text or heading you want to link to, then go to Insert > Bookmark, give it a short name with no spaces (like "Chapter2" or "Conclusion"), and click Add.

Now select the text you want to be the clickable link, press Ctrl+K, and look for an option labeled "Place in This Document" or a bookmark icon. Select the bookmark you just created from the list, and press Enter. When someone clicks that link, Word will jump directly to the bookmarked location.

Editing and removing links

To change where a link points, right-click the blue linked text and select "Edit Link" (or "Edit Hyperlink" depending on your Word version). The link dialog opens again, and you can type a new address. Press Enter to save the change.

To remove a link but keep the text, right-click the linked text and select "Remove Link." The text stays in your document but is no longer blue or clickable. If you want to delete both the link and the text, straightforward select the text and press Delete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my link not work when I click it?

In Word, you must hold Ctrl while clicking a link to open it — a regular click just positions your cursor. If you are sharing the document with someone else, make sure the web address is correct and includes https:// at the beginning. Links to files on your computer will not work if the file is moved or deleted.

Can I change the color of linked text?

Yes. Select the linked text, then use the font color tool in the toolbar to change its color. You can also right-click the link, select "Edit Link," and look for a "Style" or "Formatting" option in some Word versions. Keep in mind that changing the color may make it less obvious to readers that the text is clickable.

How do I link to a PDF or other file type?

Select your text, press Ctrl+K, click the Browse button or folder icon, navigate to the file on your computer, and click it to select it. Word creates a link that opens that file. The file must exist in that location for the link to work — if you move or delete the file later, the link will break.

What is the difference between a hyperlink and a bookmark?

A hyperlink is the clickable text that points somewhere — a website, email, file, or location. A bookmark is a named location within your document that a hyperlink can point to. You create a bookmark first, then create a hyperlink that jumps to it.