The fastest way to add a hyperlink in PowerPoint
To add a hyperlink in PowerPoint, select the text or image you want to turn into a link, then right-click and choose Link from the menu. A dialog box opens where you paste the web address or choose a file. Click OK and the link is live — your audience can click it during a presentation or when viewing the file.
The same method works whether you are linking to a website, another slide in your presentation, a file on your computer, or an email address. The steps are identical; only the destination changes.
Key Takeaways
- Select text or an image, right-click, and choose Link to open the hyperlink dialog in one step.
- You can link to websites, other slides, files, or email addresses using the same process — only the destination field changes.
- Hyperlinks appear underlined and in a different color so your audience knows they are clickable.
- Test your links before presenting by holding Ctrl and clicking them in edit mode, or by running the slideshow.
Step-by-step: linking to a website
Open your presentation and click on the text or image you want to make clickable. The text does not have to say the full web address — "Click here for more information" works just as well as "www.example.com".
Right-click on the selected text or image. A menu appears. Click Link (in some versions of PowerPoint, it says Insert Link or Hyperlink). The hyperlink dialog box opens.
In the dialog, paste or type the web address in the field labeled Address. Include the https:// at the start — PowerPoint usually adds it automatically, but typing it ensures the link works. Click OK. The text now appears underlined and in blue (or your theme color), showing it is a link.
Linking to another slide in the same presentation
Select the text or image you want to turn into a link, then right-click and choose Link. The hyperlink dialog opens.
Instead of pasting a web address, look for an option that says Place in This Document, Link to Slide, or Slide (the exact wording varies by PowerPoint version). Click it. A list of all slides in your presentation appears. Click the slide number you want to link to, then click OK.
This is useful for presentations with a table of contents on the first slide, or when you want to jump to a specific section during a live talk. The link works the same way — your audience clicks it and lands on that slide.
Linking to a file on your computer
Select your text or image, right-click, and choose Link. The hyperlink dialog opens.
Look for a button or option labeled Browse, File, or Existing File or Web Page. Click it. A file browser window opens. Navigate to the file you want to link to — a PDF, Word document, Excel spreadsheet, or any other file type. Click the file name, then click OK or Insert. The link is now active.
When someone clicks this link during a presentation, the file opens in its default program. Make sure the file exists in the location you chose, and that anyone viewing your presentation has access to it. If you email the presentation to others, include the linked file as well.
Linking to an email address
Select the text or image, right-click, and choose Link. The hyperlink dialog opens.
Look for an option labeled Email Address or E-mail. Click it. Type the email address in the field that appears. You can also add a subject line if you want — click in the Subject field and type what you want the email subject to say. Click OK.
When someone clicks this link, their default email program opens with a new message addressed to that email. This is useful for contact information slides or when you want viewers to send you feedback.
Testing your links before you present
Do not assume a link works just because you created it. Test every link before you present or share the file.
In edit mode, hold down Ctrl (on Windows) or Command (on Mac) and click the link. It should open in your browser or file program. If it does not work, right-click the link, choose Edit Link, and check that the address is correct.
You can also run the slideshow by pressing F5 (Windows) or Shift + Command + Play (Mac), then click the link during the presentation. This is the most realistic test — you see exactly what your audience will see.
Removing or changing a hyperlink
To remove a link, right-click it and choose Remove Link. The text stays on the slide but is no longer clickable.
To change where a link points, right-click it and choose Edit Link. The hyperlink dialog opens. Change the address or destination, then click OK. The link now points to the new location.
If you want to change the text that appears on the slide but keep the link, click once to select the text, then click again to enter edit mode. Type new text. The link stays attached to the new text.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the color of hyperlinks so they match my slide design?
Yes. Right-click the link and choose Format Link or Character (depending on your PowerPoint version). A formatting menu opens where you can change the text color, size, and style. You can also change the default link color for the entire presentation by going to the Design tab and choosing a different color scheme.
What happens if I move a linked file to a different folder?
The link breaks. PowerPoint looks for the file in the original location. If you move a file, open the presentation, right-click the broken link, choose Edit Link, and browse to the new location. For presentations you plan to share, keep linked files in the same folder as the PowerPoint file, or use web links instead of file links.
Can I add a hyperlink to a shape or button?
Yes. Click the shape or button to select it, then right-click and choose Link. The hyperlink dialog opens just as it does for text. This is useful for creating navigation buttons in interactive presentations.
Do hyperlinks work when I convert PowerPoint to a PDF?
Most do, but it depends on how you convert. If you use File > Export as PDF in PowerPoint, links to websites and other slides usually work. Links to files on your computer may not work in the PDF. Test the PDF after converting to make sure your important links still function.