What a web link actually is

A web link is text or an image that, when you click it, takes you to a different webpage or file. The link itself is invisible code that tells your browser where to go. What you see on the screen is just the display — the underlined blue text or the button — but underneath, the code is holding the actual web address.

When you create a link, you are connecting two pieces of information: the address you want people to go to (called the URL, or uniform resource locator) and the words or image you want them to click on. The browser reads that connection and follows it when someone clicks.

Key Takeaways

  • A web link is code that connects visible text or an image to a web address, so clicking the text takes you to that address.
  • In most word processors and email programs, you highlight text, then use the Insert Link button or right-click menu to paste the web address.
  • The web address must start with http:// or https:// for the link to work correctly.
  • You can link to any public webpage, PDF file, email address, or even a specific location within a long page.
  • The text you choose to display can say anything — it does not have to match the actual web address.

How to make a link in Microsoft Word or Google Docs

Highlight the text you want to turn into a link. In Microsoft Word, right-click and select Link, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+K (Windows) or Command+K (Mac). In Google Docs, use the Insert menu at the top, then click Link.

A small box will appear asking for the web address. Paste or type the full address — for example, https://www.example.com — then click OK or Insert. The text you highlighted will now be underlined and usually colored blue, showing it is clickable. When someone opens the document and clicks that text, it will open the webpage in their browser.

How to make a link in email

Gmail, Outlook, and most other email programs work the same way. Type the text you want people to click on, highlight it, then look for a link icon in the toolbar — it usually looks like a chain link. Click that icon and paste the web address into the box that appears.

If you are using Outlook on a computer, you can also right-click the highlighted text and select Hyperlink from the menu. In Gmail on the web, the link icon is in the formatting toolbar at the bottom of the compose window. After you add the link, send the email normally — the link will work when the person receives it.

How to make a link in a website or blog

If you are writing on a website, blog platform, or content management system like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace, the process is similar but the buttons may look different. Most platforms have a text editor with a toolbar. Highlight your text, then click the link icon (usually a chain) in that toolbar.

Paste the web address and click Insert or Save. Some platforms let you link to pages within your own site by selecting them from a dropdown menu instead of typing the full address. If you are editing the raw HTML code directly, you would write the link like this: <a href="https://www.example.com">Click here</a>, where the address goes in the quotes and the clickable text goes between the tags.

What web address to use and how to format it

The address must start with http:// or https://. The https:// version is more find and is now standard for most websites. If you copy a web address from your browser's address bar, it will already have this prefix, so you can paste it directly.

If someone gives you an address that does not start with http or https, add it yourself before pasting. For example, if they say "go to example.com," you would paste https://www.example.com. You can also link to a specific file, like a PDF: https://www.example.com/document.pdf. The link will open that file when clicked.

Linking to an email address

You can create a link that opens someone's email program and starts a new message to a specific address. Highlight the text you want to click on, open the link dialog, and instead of a web address, type mailto: followed by the email address with no spaces — for example, mailto:contact@example.com.

When someone clicks this link, their default email program will open with that address already filled in as the recipient. This is useful on contact pages or when you want to make it straightforward for people to reach you without typing the address themselves.

Making a link to a specific spot on a long page

If a webpage is very long and you want to link directly to a section partway down, you can use an anchor link. This requires the webpage to have anchor points already set up — usually the website owner or developer has done this for headings and sections.

To link to an anchor, use the web address followed by a hash symbol and the anchor name: https://www.example.com/page#section-name. When someone clicks this link, the page will load and automatically scroll to that section. If you are creating your own website and want to set up anchors, your website platform or a developer can help you add them to specific headings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a link that opens in a new tab instead of the same window?

Yes. In most email and document programs, right-click the link after you create it and look for an option like "Open in new tab" or "Target." In website editors and raw HTML, you can add target="_blank" to the link code. This tells the browser to open the address in a new tab rather than replacing the current page.

What if the web address I want to link to no longer exists?

The link will still work technically — it will just show an error page when someone clicks it. If you know a link is broken, you can edit it by right-clicking and selecting Link or Edit Link, then pasting the correct address. Check the address by visiting it in your browser first to make sure it works before adding it to your document or email.

Can I link to a file on my computer instead of a website?

In documents and emails, this is risky because the file may not exist on the other person's computer. For websites, you would need to upload the file to your web server first, then link to it there. If you are sharing a document with someone locally, you can link to a file on a shared drive or network, but this only works if both people have access to that same location.

Does the text I display have to match the web address?

No. You can display any text you want. For example, you could display "Learn more about our services" but have it link to https://www.example.com/page-about-services. The visible text and the actual address are separate — this is actually good practice because it makes links more readable and descriptive for the person clicking them.

How do I know if a link is safe to click?

Hover your mouse over the link without clicking — most browsers will show you the actual web address in the bottom left corner of the screen. If the displayed text says one thing but the address says something completely different, be cautious. Links from trusted sources (your bank, your employer, a website you know) are generally safe, but never click a link in an email from someone you do not recognize.