What "changing a link name" actually means

When you change the name of a link, you are changing the text that appears on the screen — the part you click on — without changing where that link actually goes. The destination stays the same. Only the visible words change.

For example, a link might currently say "Click here for more information" but you want it to say "Housing resources" instead. The link still points to the same webpage; only the label changed. This matters because good link text tells you what you are about to see, rather than making you guess.

Key Takeaways

  • Changing a link name means editing only the visible text, not the web address it points to.
  • In most programs, you right-click the link and choose "Edit Link" or "Link Properties" to change the text.
  • In Google Docs, you click the link, then click the pencil icon to edit the display text separately from the URL.
  • In Microsoft Word, you right-click the link and select "Edit Link" to change what readers see without breaking the connection.
  • On a website, changing link text requires editing the HTML code or using the website builder's editing tools.

How to change a link in Google Docs

Open the document and find the link you want to change. Click anywhere on the linked text (the blue underlined words). A small popup will appear with the web address and a pencil icon.

Click the pencil icon. A box will open showing both the current display text and the URL. Change only the text in the top field — this is what readers see. Leave the URL field alone unless you also want to change where the link goes. Click "Update" when you are done.

How to change a link in Microsoft Word

Right-click directly on the linked text. A menu will appear. Select "Edit Link" (or "Edit Hyperlink" depending on your Word version). A dialog box opens showing the link address and the display text.

The "Text to display" field is what you change. Type the new text you want readers to see. The "Address" field below it is the actual web address — leave it alone unless you want to change the destination too. Click "OK" to save your change.

How to change a link in Google Sheets

Click the cell containing the link. Right-click and select "Edit link" from the menu. A small editing panel appears showing the current display text and the URL.

Click in the text field at the top and change what you see there. This is the visible text. The URL field below stays the same unless you want to change the destination. Press Enter or click outside the panel to save.

How to change a link on a website you built

If you built your website using a builder like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress, log into your account and find the page containing the link. Click into edit mode for that page.

Click on the linked text itself. An editing panel or toolbar should appear. Look for an option that says "Edit link," "Link settings," or a chain-link icon. Click it. You will see fields for both the display text and the destination URL. Change only the text field if you want to keep the link pointing to the same place. Save your changes.

How to change a link in HTML code

If you are working directly with HTML, a link looks like this: <a href="https://example.com">Click here</a>. The text between the > and </a> is what readers see. The href part is the destination.

To change the visible text, replace "Click here" with whatever you want to display. For example: <a href="https://example.com">Housing resources</a>. The link still goes to the same place; only the label changed. Do not touch the href value unless you want to change the destination.

Why link text matters

Good link text tells you what you are about to see before you click. "Click here" or "Read more" forces you to guess. "Housing resources" or "Local rental information programs" tells you exactly what is on the other side.

This also matters for people using screen readers, which read the link text aloud. A screen reader user hears "Click here" and has no idea what the link is about. They hear "Housing resources" and know when ready whether to click. Changing vague link text to specific text makes your documents and websites easier for everyone to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I change the link text, does it change the web address?

No. The web address (URL) stays exactly the same. You are only changing the visible label. The link still goes to the same destination.

Can I change a link that someone else created?

Only if you have editing permission on that document or website. In Google Docs or Sheets, the owner must give you editor access. On a website, you must have login credentials for the editing tool.

What if I accidentally change the link destination instead of the text?

Undo your last action when ready by pressing Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac). This will restore the link to how it was. Then try again, making sure you are only editing the text field, not the URL field.

Does changing link text affect SEO or how search engines see the link?

Search engines read the link text as a signal about what the destination page is about. Changing it to something more descriptive can actually help, because clearer text gives search engines better information about the linked page.