In Word, a clickable link is called a hyperlink. Select text or a picture and use Insert > Link to attach a destination, or type a URL and press Enter or Spacebar to let Word convert it automatically. Desktop Word normally requires Ctrl+Click to follow a link while editing.
Use the steps below for Word on Windows, Mac, or the web. The Insert Hyperlink dialog may retain that name even though the ribbon command is labeled Link.
Make a link clickable in Word for Windows
These instructions apply to Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, Word 2021, Word 2019, and Word 2016.
Option 1: Add a link to custom text
- Highlight the text or select the picture that should become clickable.
- Open the Insert tab.
- Select Link. You can also right-click the selection and choose Link, or press
Ctrl+K. - In the Insert Hyperlink dialog, select Existing File or Web Page under Link to.
- Enter the destination in the Address box. For example, enter
https://www.itechguides.com. - Change Text to display if necessary.
- Select OK.
The selected words now act as the hyperlink. For example, you can turn download the report into a link without displaying the long URL.
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Option 2: Let Word convert a URL automatically
Type a web address such as https://example.com or www.example.com, then press Enter or the Spacebar. Word converts it into an active hyperlink when automatic link formatting is enabled.
If Word creates the link unintentionally, immediately press Ctrl+Z to undo the automatic formatting. Word can also automatically link an email address when you press Enter or Spacebar.
Option 3: Add a URL manually
If automatic conversion is disabled, or Word does not recognize the address, use the manual method:
- Select the text that should be clickable.
- Press
Ctrl+K. - Choose Existing File or Web Page.
- Enter the complete destination in Address; for a website, a URL beginning with
https://is a clear choice. - Select OK.
Create other types of links in desktop Word
The hyperlink dialog can point to more than a website.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute| Link type | Steps | What to enter or select |
|---|---|---|
| Local file | Select text or a picture, then choose Insert > Link. | Choose Existing File or Web Page, locate the file in Look in or Current Folder, and select it. |
| Select text or a picture, then choose Insert > Link. | Select E-mail Address, enter the recipient, and optionally enter a subject. | |
| Location in the same document | Select link text, then choose Insert > Link. | Select Place in This Document, then choose a heading or bookmark shown in the list. |
A link to a local file may stop working if the file is moved, renamed, or unavailable to the person opening the document. For shared documents, use a stable location and make sure recipients have access. An email hyperlink opens the user’s configured mail program; some browsers and email applications may not recognize its optional subject line.
Make a link clickable in Word on Mac
Microsoft’s instructions cover Word for Microsoft 365 for Mac, Word 2024 for Mac, and Word 2021 for Mac.
- Select the text or picture.
- Open Insert and select Link, or press
Command+K. - In the Insert Hyperlink dialog, choose Web Page or File.
- Enter the URL in Address, or select Select to browse to a file.
- Select OK.
Mac Word also creates a hyperlink automatically when you type a URL and then press Enter or Spacebar.
To stop automatic link formatting, open Word > Preferences > AutoCorrect > AutoFormat as You Type, then clear Internet and network paths with hyperlinks.
Link to a bookmark on Mac
To create a bookmark-based link, place the cursor at the destination or select its text, then choose Insert > Bookmark, enter a name, and select Add. Next, select the link text, choose Insert > Link, and select the bookmark under Place in This Document.
Bookmark names must begin with a letter and cannot contain spaces. They may contain numbers and underscores. For example, Project_Notes2 is valid, while Project Notes is not.
Add a clickable link in Word for the web
Link custom text to a website
- Select the words or picture that should contain the link.
- Go to Insert > Link.
- Enter the visible wording in Display text.
- Enter the destination in Enter Link.
- Insert the link.
For an email link, enter mailto:someone@example.com in the Enter Link field.
Link to a heading or bookmark
- Select the link text.
- Choose Insert tab > Links group > Link > Insert Link.
- Select Headings and Bookmarks.
- Choose the destination.
- Select Insert.
Edit an existing hyperlink
Windows
Right-click the hyperlink and choose Edit Hyperlink. Change the destination, displayed text, or other settings. To add hover text, select ScreenTip, enter the wording, and confirm the change.
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Mac
Hold the Control key while selecting the hyperlink, choose Edit Hyperlink, make the change, and select OK.
Word for the web
Click inside the link and choose Insert > Link. With a mouse, you can also right-click the link and choose Edit Link. On a touch device, tap and hold the link to display its context commands.
Test a hyperlink in Word
In desktop Word, the default editing behavior requires Ctrl+Click to follow a hyperlink. A regular click usually selects or positions the cursor rather than opening the destination.
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To make ordinary clicking follow links:
- Go to File > Options > Advanced.
- Find the Editing Options section.
- Clear Use CTRL + Click to follow hyperlink.
- Select OK.
Use Ctrl+Click, or the new ordinary-click setting, to test the link. If it still fails, right-click it, choose Edit Hyperlink, and check that the Address contains the intended destination.
Remove a hyperlink without deleting its text
To remove one link while keeping the visible wording, right-click the hyperlink and choose Remove Hyperlink. The words remain in the document as ordinary text.
To remove every hyperlink while preserving the document text:
- Press
Ctrl+Ato select the document. - Press
Ctrl+Shift+F9.
This removes the hyperlink fields from the selected content. It does not delete the visible URL or link wording.
Stop Word from creating automatic hyperlinks
Windows
- Go to File > Options > Proofing.
- Select AutoCorrect Options.
- Open the AutoFormat As You Type tab.
- Clear Internet and network paths with hyperlinks.
- Select OK.
To undo one automatic conversion immediately, press Ctrl+Z after Word changes the URL into a hyperlink.
Mac
Open Word > Preferences > AutoCorrect > AutoFormat as You Type, then clear Internet and network paths with hyperlinks.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If Word does not make a URL clickable
- Check automatic formatting: On Windows, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options > AutoFormat As You Type and enable Internet and network paths with hyperlinks. On Mac, use Word > Preferences > AutoCorrect > AutoFormat as You Type and enable the same setting.
- Check editing restrictions: A read-only document or Protected View may prevent changes until editing is enabled. The document owner or administrator may also restrict editing.
- Check the destination: Make sure the address is complete and correct. A local-file or restricted cloud link will not be accessible to everyone just because it is clickable.
- Check the link’s appearance separately: Color and underlining are formatting, not the hyperlink itself. If the destination works but the link is hard to see, right-click it and use Font or the formatting controls to change its appearance.
FAQ
Why is my URL not clickable in Word?
Word converts a typed URL after you press Enter or Spacebar, if automatic link formatting is enabled. Otherwise, select the text and use Insert > Link. Also check whether the document is read-only or in Protected View.
Do I need to type https:// for a Word hyperlink?
Not for Word’s automatic recognition of addresses such as www.example.com. For a manually created website link, using the complete destination, including https:// where applicable, is clearest.
How do I make an image clickable in Word?
Select the picture, choose Insert > Link, choose the destination type, enter or browse to the destination, and select OK.
Why does clicking a Word link not open it?
Desktop Word normally uses Ctrl+Click while editing. Hold Ctrl and click the link, or go to File > Options > Advanced and clear Use CTRL + Click to follow hyperlink to allow ordinary clicks.
Can I change the text of a hyperlink without changing its destination?
Yes. Choose Edit Hyperlink and change the displayed text while leaving the address unchanged. On Mac, Control-select the link and choose Edit Hyperlink.
How do I remove a link but keep the words?
Right-click the hyperlink and choose Remove Hyperlink. The visible text remains as ordinary text. To remove all links while keeping their text in desktop Word, use Ctrl+A followed by Ctrl+Shift+F9.
The Bottom Line
For a reliable clickable link, select the intended text or picture, choose Insert > Link, enter the destination, and select OK. If you type a URL directly, press Enter or Spacebar to trigger Word’s automatic conversion. Remember that desktop Word normally opens links with Ctrl+Click.
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