What a link is and why you need to know how to make one
A link is a clickable piece of text or an address you can copy and send to someone else that takes them directly to a webpage, file, or document. When you create a link, you are usually copying the web address (called a URL) from your browser's address bar and pasting it somewhere else — into an email, a text message, a social media post, or a document. The person who receives it can click it and land on exactly the page you wanted them to see.
You do not need special software or technical knowledge to do this. Every browser and messaging app has the tools built in. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are on a computer or a phone, and whether you are linking to a webpage, a file on your computer, or a location within a document you are sharing.
Key Takeaways
- To link to a webpage, copy the URL from your browser's address bar and paste it into an email, message, or document.
- On a phone, tap the share button (usually three dots or lines) in your browser or app to copy the link without typing it.
- To link to a file on your computer, right-click the file, select "Copy link" or "Get link," and paste it into a document or email.
- Links in documents work best when you highlight text first, then use the link tool to attach the URL to those words instead of pasting the raw address.
- Test any link you share by clicking it yourself before sending it to someone else, because typos and expired links are common mistakes.
Copying and pasting a link to a webpage on a computer
The simplest way to share a webpage is to copy its address from your browser. Look at the top of your browser window where the web address appears — this is your URL. Click once in that address bar to select it, then press Ctrl+C (on Windows) or Command+C (on Mac) to copy it. The address is now in your clipboard.
Open the place where you want to paste it: an email, a text document, a social media post, or a messaging app. Click where you want the link to go and press Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac). The full web address will appear. Anyone who clicks it will go to that page.
If you want the link to look cleaner in an email or document, you can highlight some text first, then use the link tool to attach the URL to those words. In most email programs and word processors, this means selecting your text, then pressing Ctrl+K (Windows) or Command+K (Mac), pasting the URL into the box that appears, and clicking OK. Now only your chosen words show as a clickable link, not the entire web address.
Copying a link on a phone or tablet
On a phone, you usually do not type the web address yourself. Instead, open the webpage in your browser, then look for a share button — typically three dots stacked vertically, three horizontal lines, or a square with an arrow pointing out of it. Tap that button.
A menu will appear with options like "Copy link," "Share," or "Copy to clipboard." Tap "Copy link" or the equivalent option. The address is now copied to your phone's clipboard. Open your messaging app, email, or social media app and paste it by pressing and holding where you want it to go, then selecting "Paste."
If your browser does not show a share button, try pressing and holding on the web address itself at the top of the screen. A menu should appear with a "Copy" option. Use that instead.
Linking to files stored on your computer
If you want to share a file that lives on your computer — a Word document, a PDF, a spreadsheet, or an image — you can create a link to it. Right-click the file (or on a Mac, Control-click it). A menu will appear. Look for an option that says "Copy link," "Get link," "Create link," or "Copy as path." Click that option.
The file's location is now copied. Paste it into an email or document the same way you would paste a web link. When someone clicks it, their computer will open that file — but only if they have access to the same folder or network drive where the file is stored. This works well for sharing files within a workplace or home network, but not for sending files to people outside your network.
If you need to share a file with someone who does not have access to your computer or network, upload it to a cloud storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive first. Then create a shareable link from that service instead. Those links work for anyone, anywhere.
Creating links within documents and emails
When you are writing a longer document or email and want to link to something in the middle of it, highlight the words you want to turn into a link first. Then use your link tool. In Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and most email programs, press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Command+K (Mac). A box will appear asking for the URL. Paste the web address there and click OK.
The words you highlighted now appear as a clickable link, usually in blue and underlined. The actual web address stays hidden behind those words. This makes your document look professional and is much easier to read than pasting a long URL in the middle of a sentence.
If you make a mistake and need to change the link, right-click the linked text and select "Edit link" or "Remove link" depending on what you need to do. You can update the URL without changing the visible words.
Testing your link before you send it
Before you send a link to someone else, click it yourself to make sure it works. A common mistake is copying the address wrong, or the webpage might have moved or been deleted since you last visited it. If the link does not take you where you expected, do not send it.
If you copied a link from your browser's address bar but the page requires you to be logged in, the link might not work for the person receiving it. Test it in a private or incognito window (Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows, Command+Shift+N on Mac) to see what a person who is not logged in would see. If the page is blank or asks for a password, you may need to share the file differently or give them instructions on how to access it.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most frequent error is copying only part of the web address. If you see something like "https://www.example.com/page" in your address bar, make sure you copy the entire thing, including the "https://" at the start. Partial links usually do not work.
Another mistake is sharing a link to a page that requires a login, without realizing the other person cannot see it. Always test in an incognito window first. If the page is private or behind a paywall, tell the person that upfront instead of sending a link that will not work for them.
On phones, some apps do not have a share button in the obvious place. If you cannot find one, try pressing and holding on the web address at the top of the screen, or look in the app's menu (usually three dots) for a "Share" option. Different apps organize this differently, so exploring the menu is often faster than searching for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a link to a specific part of a webpage, not just the whole page?
Yes, but only if the webpage is built to support it. Some pages have anchor links — clickable sections within the page that you can link directly to. Look at the URL when you click one of those sections; if it changes to include a # symbol and a word (like "https://example.com/page#section2"), you can copy that URL and it will take people directly to that spot on the page.
What is the difference between a link and a shortcut?
A link is a web address you share with someone else so they can visit a page. A shortcut is a small icon on your computer or phone that opens a program or file when you click it. They are not the same thing. If someone asks you to "create a link," they mean a web address, not a desktop shortcut.
Why does my link look different when I paste it into different apps?
Different apps format links differently. Some show the full web address, some show just the website name, and some let you hide the address behind chosen words. The link itself works the same way no matter how it looks. If an app automatically shortens or reformats your link, that is normal and does not break it.
Can I send a link to someone if they do not have internet?
No. A link only works if the person can connect to the internet and access the webpage it points to. If someone does not have internet access, you will need to send them the information another way — by email with the text copied into the message, or by sharing the file directly.
What should I do if someone tells me a link I sent them is broken?
Click the link yourself to see if it still works. If it does not, the webpage may have moved or been deleted. Try searching for the content by name to find a new URL, or ask the website where the page went. If the link works for you but not for them, the page might require a login or be restricted to certain locations or networks.