How to Add a Hyperlink in Word
A hyperlink turns text into something readers can click — to open a website, send an email, open another file, or jump to a different part of the same document.
Quick reference
| What you want | How |
|---|---|
| Insert a link | Ctrl + K or Insert → Link |
| Follow a link | Ctrl + click |
| Remove one link | Right-click → Remove Hyperlink |
| Edit a link | Right-click → Edit Hyperlink |
1. Link to a website
1. Select the text you want to be clickable, for example our website.
2. Press Ctrl + K.
3. Paste the web address in the Address box.
4. Click OK.
2. Press Ctrl + K.
3. Paste the web address in the Address box.
4. Click OK.
The text turns blue and underlined.
Even quicker: type or paste a full web address and press Space or Enter — Word turns it into a link automatically.
2. Link to a heading in the same document
Great for long documents and contents lists:
1. Select the text and press Ctrl + K.
2. Click Place in This Document on the left.
3. Choose a heading or bookmark.
4. Click OK.
2. Click Place in This Document on the left.
3. Choose a heading or bookmark.
4. Click OK.
Headings only appear if they use Word's Heading styles.
3. Link to an email address
In the Link box, click E-mail Address, type the address and an optional subject. Clicking the link opens a new email.
4. Link to a file
Choose Existing File or Web Page, browse to the file and click OK. Make sure the file will still be in the same place for whoever clicks the link — a shared OneDrive or SharePoint link works best.
5. Add a ScreenTip
In the Link box, click ScreenTip… and type a short description. It appears when someone hovers over the link.
6. Follow a link
Word needs you to hold Ctrl while you click, so you don't open links by accident while editing. To change this: File → Options → Advanced → untick Use CTRL + Click to follow hyperlink.
7. Remove links
• One link: right-click → Remove Hyperlink. The text stays.
• All links: press Ctrl + A, then Ctrl + Shift + F9.
• All links: press Ctrl + A, then Ctrl + Shift + F9.
⚠️ Ctrl + Shift + F9 turns all fields into plain text — including automatic dates, page numbers in the body and tables of contents. Use it carefully.
Troubleshooting
Word keeps turning addresses into links. File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options → AutoFormat As You Type → untick Internet and network paths with hyperlinks.
Wrapping up
Select text, Ctrl + K, paste the address. Use Place in This Document to build clickable contents in long files.
