What attaching a link means

Attaching a link to an email means putting a clickable web address into the body of your message so the person reading it can jump directly to that webpage or file. You are not sending the webpage itself — you are sending the address that points to it. When someone clicks the link in your email, their browser opens and takes them to that address.

This is different from attaching a file. A file attachment is the actual document or image saved to your computer and sent along with the email. A link is just text that directs someone to something that already exists online.

Key Takeaways

  • Most email programs let you paste a web address directly into your message, and it becomes clickable automatically.
  • You can make a link look like regular text by highlighting words and using the link tool, so it does not show the full web address.
  • Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail all have a link button in the compose window for adding or editing links.
  • Test your link before sending by clicking it yourself to make sure it goes to the right place.

Pasting a link directly into your email

The simplest way to add a link is to copy the web address from your browser and paste it into your email message. Open the webpage you want to share, click the address bar at the top of your browser, select all the text, and copy it. Then click into your email message where you want the link to appear and paste it.

Most email programs recognize that you have pasted a web address and automatically turn it into a clickable link. The link will appear in blue and underlined, and anyone who receives your email can click it to visit that page. This method works in Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, and most other email services.

Making a link look like regular text

If you want the link to appear as regular words instead of showing the full web address, you can hide the URL behind text. Highlight the words you want to use as the link text, then click the link button in your email compose window. A box will appear asking for the web address.

In Gmail, the link button looks like a chain link and sits in the toolbar at the bottom of the compose box. In Outlook, it is also labeled as a link icon in the toolbar. Type or paste the web address into the box that appears, then click the button to confirm. Now when someone reads your email, they will see only the words you chose, not the full web address, but clicking those words will take them to the link you provided.

How to do this in Gmail

Open Gmail and click Compose to start a new message. Type your email and position your cursor where you want the link. Highlight the text you want to turn into a link, or if you want to add a link without highlighting text first, just click where you want it to go.

Click the link icon in the toolbar at the bottom of the compose box — it looks like a chain link. A box will pop up with a field that says "Paste your link here." Paste the web address you copied from your browser, then click the blue checkmark or press Enter. The text is now a clickable link. If you want to remove a link later, highlight it again, click the link icon, and select "Remove link."

How to do this in Outlook

Open Outlook and click New Email. Type your message and highlight the text you want to turn into a link. Click the Insert tab at the top of the compose window, then click Hyperlink. A dialog box will open with a field labeled "Address."

Paste the web address into the Address field and click OK. The text you highlighted is now a clickable link. If you need to change or remove the link later, right-click on it and choose "Edit Hyperlink" or "Remove Hyperlink" from the menu that appears.

How to do this in Apple Mail

Open Apple Mail and click File, then New Message. Type your email and highlight the text you want to turn into a link. Right-click on the highlighted text and select "Add Link" from the menu. A field will appear where you can paste the web address.

Paste the URL and press Enter. The text is now a clickable link. To remove a link in Apple Mail, right-click on it and select "Remove Link."

Testing your link before you send

Before you send an email with a link, click the link yourself to make sure it goes to the right place. This catches mistakes like typos in the web address or copying the wrong link by accident. If the link does not work, delete it and add the correct one.

If you are sending a link to a file that is not yet published or a page that requires a password, test it from a different browser or device if you can, or ask someone else to test it after you send it. This helps you catch problems before the link goes out to many people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I attach a link to an email on my phone?

Yes. In Gmail on your phone, tap Compose, type your message, then tap the attachment icon and select Link. In Outlook on your phone, tap Compose, highlight your text, tap the three dots, and select Link. The process is the same as on a computer, just with touch controls instead of a mouse.

What if the link is very long and ugly looking?

Hide it behind text instead of showing the full address. Highlight the words you want to use, click the link button, and paste the long web address into the box that appears. Now readers see only your chosen words, not the long URL.

Does the person I email need to do anything special to click the link?

No. They just click the link in the email, and their browser opens automatically. The link works the same way as clicking a link on a webpage.

What happens if the webpage I linked to gets deleted later?

The link will stop working, and people who click it will see an error message. There is no way to prevent this from your end — it depends on whether the webpage stays online. If you are linking to something important, check on it occasionally to make sure it still exists.