The basic way to insert a link
To insert a link, you highlight the text you want to turn into a clickable link, then tell your program where that link should go. The exact steps depend on what program you are using — a word processor like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, an email client like Gmail or Outlook, or a web browser — but the principle is the same across all of them.
In most programs, you can right-click the highlighted text and choose "Insert Link" or "Add Link" from the menu that appears. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+K on Windows or Command+K on Mac. Either way, a dialog box will open asking you to paste or type the web address (called a URL) where you want the link to point.
Once you paste the URL into that box and click OK or Insert, the text you highlighted will turn into a clickable link — usually shown in blue and underlined. When someone clicks that link, their browser will open the web page at that address.
Key Takeaways
- Highlight the text you want to become a link, then press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Command+K (Mac) to open the link dialog.
- Paste the full web address (URL) into the dialog box — it must start with http:// or https:// to work correctly.
- Different programs store links slightly differently, so a link you create in Word may not transfer perfectly if you copy the text into Gmail.
- You can test a link by holding Ctrl (or Command on Mac) and clicking it, which will open the page without leaving your document.
- Removing a link is usually done by right-clicking it and choosing "Remove Link" — this deletes the link but keeps the text.
How to insert a link in Microsoft Word
In Microsoft Word, highlight the text you want to turn into a link. Press Ctrl+K on Windows or Command+K on Mac. The "Insert Hyperlink" dialog will open on the right side of your screen.
In the "Address" field at the bottom of that dialog, paste the web address you want to link to. Make sure the address starts with http:// or https:// — if you paste just "google.com" without the https://, Word may not recognize it as a valid web link. Once you have pasted the address, click OK. The text will now be a clickable link.
If you want to change what the link text says without changing where it points, right-click the link and choose "Edit Link". You can then change the display text in the dialog that opens. If you want to remove the link entirely but keep the text, right-click and choose "Remove Link".
How to insert a link in Google Docs
In Google Docs, highlight the text you want to link. Press Ctrl+K on Windows or Command+K on Mac. A small popup will appear with a text field for the URL.
Paste the web address into that field — again, include the https:// at the start. You can also search for a page by typing keywords instead of pasting a full URL; Google Docs will suggest matching pages. Once you have entered or selected the address, press Enter. The text will become a clickable link shown in blue.
To edit or remove a link in Google Docs, click on the linked text and the same popup will reappear. You can change the URL, or click the X button to remove the link without deleting the text.
How to insert a link in Gmail
In Gmail, compose a new email or reply to one. Highlight the text you want to turn into a link and press Ctrl+K on Windows or Command+K on Mac. A small popup will appear asking for the URL.
Paste the web address into the field. Gmail will show you a preview of the page you are linking to, so you can verify it is the right one before you send. Press Enter or click the checkmark to create the link. The text will turn blue and underlined.
If you realize you linked to the wrong page before sending, click the linked text and the popup will reappear so you can change the URL. Once you send the email, the recipient will see the text as a clickable link.
How to insert a link in web browsers
If you are writing in a text box on a website — such as a comment on social media, a forum post, or a chat message — the method depends on whether that website supports link formatting. Some sites have a toolbar with a link button (usually shaped like a chain link), while others require you to use markdown or HTML code.
If there is a link button in the toolbar, highlight your text and click the button. A dialog will open asking for the URL. Paste the address and click OK. If the website does not have a link button, check the site's help section to see whether it supports links at all — many social media platforms and messaging apps do not allow you to create custom links in posts or messages.
In some cases, if you paste a URL directly into a text box (without highlighting text first), the website will automatically turn that URL into a clickable link. This varies by site, so test it before you rely on it.
What to do if a link does not work
If you create a link and it does not work when you click it, the most common reason is that the URL is incomplete or incorrect. Make sure the address starts with http:// or https://. If you copied the URL from your browser's address bar, it should already have this prefix, but if you typed it manually or copied it from somewhere else, check that it is there.
Another common problem is a typo in the URL. If the link worked when you created it but stopped working later, the web page may have moved or been deleted. You can test whether the page still exists by copying the URL into a new browser tab and visiting it directly. If the page is gone, you will need to find a new URL or remove the link.
If you are linking to a page inside your own document or website (called an anchor link), the process is different and requires you to first create a bookmark or heading at the location you want to link to. Most word processors have a "Bookmark" or "Anchor" option in the Insert menu for this purpose.
Differences between links in different programs
A link you create in Microsoft Word is stored as part of the Word document file and will work when you open that document again. However, if you copy the linked text and paste it into Gmail or a web form, the link may not transfer — you may end up with just the text, without the link. This is because different programs store link information in different ways.
Google Docs links are stored in Google's servers, so they will work as long as you have internet access and your Google account is active. If you download a Google Doc as a Word file, the links will transfer, but if you copy text from a Google Doc and paste it elsewhere, the links usually do not come with it.
Links in emails work the same way as links in documents, but once you send an email, you cannot edit the links anymore. Make sure the URL is correct before you hit Send.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a link that opens in a new tab instead of the current one?
In most word processors and email clients, links always open in the current tab or window. If you want a link to open in a new tab, you can tell the reader to right-click the link and choose "Open in New Tab" — but you cannot force this to happen automatically. On websites, web developers can set this behavior, but you cannot do it when creating a link in a document or email.
What if the URL is really long and ugly?
You do not have to use the actual URL as your link text. Highlight any text you want — such as "Click here for more information" — and link it to the long URL. The reader will see only the text you chose, not the URL itself. This is called a descriptive link and is much cleaner than showing the full web address.
Can I insert a link to a file on my computer?
In Word and Google Docs, you can link to files stored on your computer, but only if you are sharing the document with someone else who also has access to that file. If you email a Word document with a link to a file on your hard drive, the recipient will not be able to open that link unless they have the same file in the same location. For sharing files, it is usually better to upload them to a cloud service like Google Drive or OneDrive and link to them there.
How do I know if a link is safe to click?
Before clicking a link, hover your mouse over it without clicking — most programs will show you the actual URL in a small popup or at the bottom of the screen. This lets you see where the link actually goes before you click it. Be cautious of links that claim to go to one place but the URL shows something different. If you are unsure about a link in an email, contact the sender directly to confirm they sent it.