The three ways to add a hyperlink in PowerPoint

You can add a hyperlink to text, a shape, or an image in PowerPoint by selecting what you want to link, then telling PowerPoint where that link should go. The fastest way is to right-click the selected object and choose "Link" from the menu. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+K (Windows) or Command+K (Mac), or go to the Insert menu and select "Link". All three methods open the same dialog box where you enter the web address or choose a destination.

The link can point to a website, an email address, another slide in the same presentation, a file on your computer, or a location you define within your presentation. Once you add the link, the text or object usually turns blue and underlined (or whatever your theme's link color is), and clicking it during a presentation will open that destination.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any text, shape, or image, then select "Link" to open the hyperlink dialog in one step.
  • You can link to websites, email addresses, other slides in your presentation, or files on your computer.
  • During a presentation, hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and click a link to follow it without accidentally advancing the slide.
  • Test every hyperlink before you present by clicking it in slideshow mode to confirm it opens the right destination.
  • If a link breaks because a website moved or a file was deleted, right-click the link and choose "Edit Link" to update the address.

Linking to a website or web page

Select the text or object you want to turn into a link. Right-click it and choose "Link" (or use Ctrl+K on Windows, Command+K on Mac). In the dialog box that opens, paste or type the full web address in the field labeled "Address" — include the https:// at the beginning so PowerPoint recognizes it as a web link.

If you want the link to open in a new browser window instead of replacing your presentation, look for a checkbox labeled "Open in new window" or similar (the exact wording varies by PowerPoint version). Check that box if you want your audience to stay in the presentation while the website opens behind it. Click OK to save the link.

Linking to another slide in the same presentation

Select the text or object you want to link. Right-click and choose "Link", or press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Command+K (Mac). In the dialog box, look for an option that says "Place in This Document" or "Link to Slide" — the exact label depends on your version. Click that option.

A list of all slides in your presentation will appear. Click the slide you want the link to jump to, then click OK. This is useful for presentations with a table of contents on the first slide, or when you want to let your audience jump to a specific section without clicking through every slide in order.

Linking to an email address

Select the text or object. Right-click and choose "Link", or use Ctrl+K (Windows) or Command+K (Mac). In the dialog box, look for an option labeled "Email Address" or "E-mail Link". Click that option.

Type the email address in the field that appears. You can also add a subject line if you want — when someone clicks the link, their email program will open with that subject already filled in. This is helpful if you want viewers to email you feedback or questions about the presentation. Click OK to save the link.

Linking to a file on your computer

Select the text or object. Right-click and choose "Link", or press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Command+K (Mac). In the dialog box, look for an option that says "Existing File" or "Browse". Click that option, then navigate to the file you want to link to and select it.

Be aware that if you move the presentation to a different folder or send it to someone else, the file link may break because PowerPoint can no longer find the file in its original location. For presentations you plan to share, linking to websites is more reliable than linking to files on your computer. If you must link to a file, keep the presentation and the linked file in the same folder, or use a shared cloud location like OneDrive or Google Drive.

Testing and fixing broken hyperlinks

Before you present, test every hyperlink by running the presentation in slideshow mode. Press F5 (Windows) or Shift+Command+Return (Mac) to start from the beginning, or Shift+F5 (Windows) to start from the current slide. When you reach a slide with a link, hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and click the link. This tells PowerPoint you want to follow the link instead of advancing to the next slide.

If a link does not work — the website is down, the file was moved, or the address changed — right-click the link in edit mode (not during a presentation) and choose "Edit Link" or "Edit Hyperlink". Update the address or file path, then click OK. If you want to remove a link entirely, right-click it and choose "Remove Link".

Why links sometimes look different than you expect

By default, hyperlinks appear in your theme's accent color (often blue) and are underlined. If you do not want the link to look like a link, you can change its formatting after you add it. Select the linked text or object, then change the color, font, or size the same way you would change any other text or object. The link will still work even if it does not look like a traditional hyperlink.

If you link an image instead of text, the image itself becomes clickable but may not show any visual change. Consider adding a border, shadow, or other subtle indicator so your audience knows the image is interactive. You can also add a note on the slide like "Click the image to learn more" to make the interaction clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I link to a PDF or document file?

Yes. Right-click the text or object, choose "Link", select "Existing File" or "Browse", and navigate to the PDF or document on your computer. The file will open when someone clicks the link during the presentation. Keep the presentation and the file in the same folder if you plan to move or share the presentation.

What happens if I click a link by accident during a presentation?

The link will open. To avoid this, always hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) when you click a link during a slideshow — this tells PowerPoint you intend to follow the link. A regular click without the modifier key will just advance to the next slide.

Can I link to a specific part of a website, not just the home page?

Yes. In the Address field, paste the full URL including the specific page or section — for example, https://www.example.com/about/team instead of just https://www.example.com. PowerPoint will open that exact page when the link is clicked.

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

Run the presentation in slideshow mode and test each link by holding Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and clicking it. If the destination does not open or shows an error, the link is broken. Right-click the link in edit mode and choose "Edit Link" to update the address or file path.

Can I make a shape or button that looks clickable?

Yes. Insert a shape from the Insert menu, add text to it if you want, then right-click the shape and choose "Link". Add the destination address. You can also use the shape formatting options to add a fill color, border, or shadow to make it look more like a button. During the presentation, hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and click the shape to follow the link.