What "changing a link name" actually means

When you change a link's name, you are changing only the text that appears on your screen — the clickable words. The web address (URL) underneath stays the same. This matters because the two are separate things: the visible text can say anything, but the URL is what actually takes you somewhere.

Most people need to do this when a link's original text no longer makes sense, when you want it to match your document's style, or when the old text was confusing. The process differs depending on whether you are working in a word processor, a website builder, email, or a content management system.

Key Takeaways

  • The link text (what you see) and the URL (where it goes) are separate — changing one does not affect the other.
  • In most programs, you right-click the link and choose "Edit Link" or "Edit Hyperlink" to change only the visible text.
  • If you cannot find an edit option, you may need to delete the link and create a new one with the text you want.
  • Always test the link after changing its text to confirm it still goes to the correct destination.

Changing a link in Microsoft Word or Google Docs

In Word, right-click directly on the link text and select Edit Link from the menu. A dialog box opens showing both the display text (what readers see) and the address (where it goes). Change only the text in the "Display Text" field, then click OK. The URL remains unchanged.

In Google Docs, right-click the link and choose Edit Link. The same dialog appears. Update the text field at the top, leave the URL field alone, and click Update. Google Docs saves the change when ready — you do not need to save the document separately.

If you cannot see an "Edit Link" option, the text may not actually be a link yet. Select the text, then use Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac) to open the link dialog and paste the URL you want.

Changing a link in email (Outlook, Gmail, Apple Mail)

In Outlook, right-click the link and select Edit Link. Change the display text in the dialog, leave the URL field unchanged, and click OK.

In Gmail, highlight the link text, then click the link icon in the toolbar (it looks like a chain). The link dialog opens. The text field at the top shows what readers see; the URL field shows where it goes. Edit only the top field and click Update.

In Apple Mail, right-click the link and choose Edit Link. Change the visible text, confirm the URL is correct, and click Set Link. If you do not see this option, select the text first, then use Cmd+K to open the link dialog.

Changing a link on a website or in a content management system

If you are editing a website directly (WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, or similar), click on the link to select it, then look for an edit icon — usually a pencil or a link symbol in a toolbar. This opens the link settings. Change the text field (often labeled "Link Text" or "Display Text"), confirm the URL field has not changed, and save.

Some website builders require you to double-click the link to edit it. Others have you click once to select it, then use a right-click menu. If you see only the URL field and no separate text field, the system may not support changing text independently — you would need to delete the link and create a new one.

In WordPress, select the link and click the link icon in the editor toolbar. A small popup appears showing the URL. Click the pencil icon next to it to open full link settings, where you can change the display text separately from the address.

When you cannot find an edit option

If your program does not show an "Edit Link" option when you right-click, the quickest solution is to delete the link and create a new one. Select the link text, press Delete or Backspace to remove it, then type the new text you want. With the new text selected, use Ctrl+K or Cmd+K to open the link dialog, paste the same URL, and confirm.

This approach also works if the link is embedded in an image or button rather than plain text. Some programs do not allow editing links in those contexts, so replacing the entire element is often the only path forward.

If you are working in a specialized tool (design software, project management platform, or custom process), check the program's help documentation for "edit hyperlink" or "change link text" — the exact steps vary widely.

Testing your link after you change the text

After changing a link's text, always click it to confirm it still goes to the correct destination. A common mistake is accidentally changing the URL when you meant to change only the text, or vice versa. A quick test catches this when ready.

If the link now goes somewhere unexpected, undo the change (Ctrl+Z or Cmd+Z), and try again. Pay close attention to which field you are editing — the text field and the URL field are straightforward to confuse in a dialog box.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change a link's text without changing where it goes?

Yes, that is the entire point of separating the display text from the URL. When you edit a link, you change only the visible text. The address stays the same unless you deliberately edit the URL field as well.

What if I accidentally changed the URL instead of the text?

Undo the change when ready with Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Cmd+Z (Mac). Then open the link dialog again and edit only the text field, leaving the URL field alone. If you have already closed the document, you may need to manually correct the URL by editing the link again.

Do I need to re-save my document after changing a link's text?

In Google Docs, changes save automatically. In Word, Outlook, and most other programs, you should save the document after making changes, though the link itself is updated when ready. Use Ctrl+S or Cmd+S to save.

Can I change the text of a link in a PDF?

Most PDF readers do not allow editing links. You would need to use a PDF editor (Adobe Acrobat Pro, Preview on Mac, or an online tool) to change link text. The process varies by tool — check the program's help for "edit link" or "edit hyperlink".

What if the link text and the URL are completely different — is that a problem?

No. A link that says "Click here for the full report" can point to a URL like "example.com/2024-annual-summary". The text and address do not need to match. This is normal and intentional — it lets you write descriptive text while keeping the actual URL hidden.