How to Add Hyperlinks and Buttons in PowerPoint (Link to a Slide, a Website or a File)

Links turn a presentation into something you can navigate — a menu slide that jumps to each section, a "back to start" button, a link to the report the numbers came from. They all use the same dialog, and any shape can be a button.

Quick reference

What you want	How
Add a link	Select text or a shape → Ctrl + K
Link to a website	Existing File or Web Page → paste the address
Link to another slide	Place in This Document → pick the slide
Make a shape a button	Select the shape → Ctrl + K → Place in This Document
Follow a link	Click it during the show, or Ctrl + click while editing

1. Link to a website

1. Select the text or object.
2. Press Ctrl + K (or Insert → Link).
3. Make sure Existing File or Web Page is selected on the left.
4. Paste the address into Address and click OK.

If you type a web address and press Space, PowerPoint turns it into a link automatically.

2. Link to another slide

Press Ctrl + K, choose Place in This Document, and pick the slide from the list. There are shortcuts for First Slide, Last Slide, Next and Previous.

This is how you build a menu slide: a list of section titles, each linked to the first slide of that section.

3. Turn a shape into a button

Any shape, picture or icon can be a link — select it and press Ctrl + K. Linked shapes don't get the blue underline that linked text does, so they look much tidier.

4. Action buttons

Insert → Shapes, scroll to the bottom for Action Buttons — ready-made Home, Back, Forward and so on. Draw one and the Action Settings box opens; choose where it goes. You can also set Mouse Over so the link fires when you hover rather than click.

5. A Home button on every slide

Go to View → Slide Master, click the top master, draw an action button linked to the first slide, and Close Master View. It's now on every slide and you can't accidentally move it.

6. Link to a file or an email

In the link dialog, Existing File or Web Page can point to a document on your computer — note it only works on a computer that has that file in the same place. E-mail Address creates a link that opens a new message.

7. Change the link colour

Linked text uses the theme's hyperlink colour. Change it with Design → Variants ▾ → Colors → Customize Colors, where Hyperlink and Followed Hyperlink are the last two.

Troubleshooting

The link doesn't work when I click it. Links only work in Slide Show mode. While editing, Ctrl + click.

It says the file can't be opened. The linked file has moved, or you're on another computer. Put the file in the same folder as the presentation and link again.

I want to remove a link. Right-click → Remove Link.

Wrapping up

Ctrl + K for everything. Place in This Document for slides, a shape instead of text if you want it tidy, and a Home button on the Slide Master so it's everywhere. Your deck becomes something you steer rather than just play.