Adding a link to text or an image in PowerPoint

To add a link in PowerPoint, select the text or image you want to link from, then use the Insert menu to paste the web address. The link will appear underlined and in a different color — usually blue — so your audience knows it is clickable. When you present, you can click the link to open it in your browser without leaving your slideshow.

The process takes about 30 seconds and works the same way whether you are linking to a website, an email address, or another slide in your presentation. PowerPoint stores the link with that text or image, so if you move the text around or copy the slide, the link moves with it.

Key Takeaways

  • Select the text or image first, then go to Insert > Link to add the web address or email.
  • Links appear underlined and colored so your audience can see they are clickable during your presentation.
  • You can link to websites, email addresses, or other slides in the same presentation.
  • Test your links before you present by clicking them in slideshow mode to make sure they open correctly.
  • If a link stops working, right-click it and choose Edit Link to update the web address.

Step-by-step: linking text to a website

Start by clicking on the text you want to turn into a link. The text does not have to be a full sentence — it can be a single word or a short phrase. Highlight the text by clicking and dragging across it, or triple-click to select an entire line.

Once the text is selected, go to the Insert tab at the top of PowerPoint. Look for the Link button — it usually shows a chain link icon. Click it, and a dialog box will open asking for the web address. Paste or type the full URL, starting with https:// (for example, https://www.example.com). Click OK, and the text will now be a link.

The text will turn blue and underline automatically. When you are in slideshow mode and hover over it, your cursor will change to a hand, showing that it is clickable. Click it during your presentation to open the website in your browser.

Linking an image or shape

You can link an image or shape the same way you link text. Click once on the image or shape to select it — you will see small squares appear around the edges. Then go to Insert > Link, paste the web address, and click OK.

Unlike text, an image or shape will not change color or show an underline when you add a link to it. Your audience will not know it is clickable unless you tell them. Consider adding a note on the slide like "Click the image to learn more" so people know to try clicking it during your presentation.

Linking to another slide in your presentation

PowerPoint lets you link to a different slide in the same presentation. This is useful if you want to jump to a summary slide, go back to an earlier point, or skip ahead based on audience questions. Select your text or image, go to Insert > Link, and instead of pasting a web address, look for the option that says Place in This Document or Link to Slide.

A list of all your slides will appear. Click the slide you want to link to, then click OK. When you click the link during your presentation, PowerPoint will jump directly to that slide. This works even if the slides are not in order — you can link from slide 10 back to slide 3, for example.

Linking to an email address

To create a link that opens an email when clicked, select your text, go to Insert > Link, and look for an option labeled Email Address or mailto. Type the email address (for example, contact@example.com) and click OK.

When someone clicks this link during your presentation, their default email program will open with a new message addressed to that email. This is useful if you want your audience to send you feedback or questions after the presentation. Note that this only works if the person has an email program set up on their computer — it will not work on all devices.

Testing and fixing links before you present

Always test your links before you present to an audience. Start your slideshow by pressing F5 (or Shift + F5 if you want to start from the current slide). Move to the slide with the link and click it. The link should open in your browser or jump to the correct slide without any delay.

If a link does not work, go back to editing mode and right-click the link. Choose Edit Link or Remove Link. If the web address changed or the website moved, paste the new URL. If you want to remove the link entirely but keep the text, choose Remove Link — the text will stay on your slide but will no longer be clickable.

Common reasons links fail: the website is down, you typed the URL incorrectly, or your internet connection is not working during the presentation. If you are presenting somewhere without reliable internet, consider taking a screenshot of the webpage and inserting it as an image instead, so you can show your audience what the link points to even if you cannot open it live.

Changing link color and appearance

By default, PowerPoint makes linked text blue and underlined. If you want to change how a link looks — for example, to match your slide design — right-click the link and choose Format Text or Character. You can change the color, remove the underline, or make the text bold. The link will still work even if it does not look like a traditional blue link.

Keep in mind that your audience needs to know the text is clickable. If you remove the underline and change the color to match your slide background, people may not realize they can click it. A good rule: if you change the appearance, add a note on the slide or mention it out loud during your presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a link to a PDF file instead of a website?

Yes. Go to Insert > Link, and instead of typing a web address, click Browse or File to find the PDF on your computer. PowerPoint will link to that file. When you click the link during your presentation, the PDF will open. Make sure the PDF file stays in the same folder as your PowerPoint file, or the link may break if you move the presentation to a different computer.

What happens to my links if I save my presentation as a PDF?

Links to websites and email addresses will still work in a PDF version of your presentation, but links to other slides in the presentation will not. If you plan to share your presentation as a PDF, test the links first to see which ones still work. Links to files on your computer may also break if the file moves or the PDF is opened on a different computer.

Can I add a link that opens in a new browser tab instead of the current one?

PowerPoint does not have a built-in option to force links to open in a new tab. When you click a link during a slideshow, it will open in your default browser, usually replacing your current window. To get back to your presentation, you will need to close the browser or click the PowerPoint window in your taskbar.

How do I remove a link without deleting the text?

Right-click the linked text and choose Remove Link. The text will stay on your slide, but it will no longer be blue, underlined, or clickable. If you want to delete the text itself, select it and press Delete instead.

Why is my link not working during the presentation?

The most common reason is that your internet connection dropped or the website is down. Another possibility is that you typed the URL incorrectly when you created the link. Test all your links before you present by running the slideshow and clicking each one. If a link fails, right-click it, choose Edit Link, and check that the web address is correct.