Add a link to text or an image in three steps

To add a clickable link in PowerPoint, select the text or image you want to turn into a link, then use the Insert menu to paste the web address. The link works immediately — when you present the slide, you can click it to open the URL in your browser.

This works the same way in PowerPoint on Windows, Mac, and the web version. The steps below use the desktop version, but the process is nearly identical in all three.

Key Takeaways

  • Select the text or image first, then go to Insert > Link to add the web address.
  • Links work during a presentation — click them to jump to a website without leaving PowerPoint.
  • You can link to a web page, another slide in the same presentation, or a file on your computer.
  • Test your link before presenting by holding Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and clicking it.

Link text to a website

Step 1: Click the text you want to turn into a link. If the text spans multiple words, click and drag to select all of it. The text will highlight in blue.

Step 2: Go to the Insert menu at the top, then click Link. A dialog box will open asking for the web address.

Step 3: Paste or type the full web address — for example, https://www.example.com — then click OK. The text will turn blue and underlined, showing it is now a link.

Link an image or shape

The process is identical for images and shapes. Click the image or shape once to select it (you will see small squares around the edges), then go to Insert > Link and paste the web address.

This is useful when you want a button-like element that readers can click. You can also right-click the image and choose Link from the menu instead of using Insert.

Link to another slide in the same presentation

Step 1: Select the text or image you want to turn into a link.

Step 2: Go to Insert > Link. Instead of pasting a web address, click the button that says "Place in This Document" or "Link to Slide" (the exact wording depends on your PowerPoint version).

Step 3: A list of all slides in your presentation will appear. Click the slide you want to jump to, then click OK. During your presentation, clicking this link will move you to that slide instantly.

Link to a file on your computer

You can also link to a document, PDF, or other file stored on your computer. Select the text or image, go to Insert > Link, then look for an option like "Browse" or "Current Folder." Navigate to the file you want, select it, and click OK.

When someone clicks the link during a presentation, the file will open in its default program — a PDF will open in your PDF reader, a Word document in Word, and so on. Make sure the file exists in the same location on any computer where you will present.

Test your link before presenting

Links do not work when you are editing a slide — you have to be in presentation mode or hold down Ctrl (Cmd on Mac) while clicking. Before you present, hold Ctrl and click each link to make sure it opens the right page or file.

If a link does not work, the web address may be wrong or the file may have moved. Right-click the link, choose Edit Link, and check the address. You can also remove a link by right-clicking it and choosing Remove Link.

Change the appearance of a link

By default, links appear in blue and underlined. If you want them to look different, select the link text and use the font color and underline buttons in the toolbar to change how it looks. The link will still work — only the appearance changes.

Some people remove the underline to make links blend in with the rest of the slide, while others make them bold or a different color to draw attention. Test how it looks before presenting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a link to an email address?

Yes. Select the text, go to Insert > Link, then type mailto:example@email.com (replace with the actual email address). When someone clicks it during a presentation, their default email program will open with a new message to that address.

Why does my link not work when I click it?

Links only work in presentation mode or when you hold Ctrl (Cmd on Mac) while clicking. If you are in edit mode and just click normally, nothing will happen. Also check that the web address is correct — if it is missing https:// at the start, it may not work.

Can I link to a specific part of a webpage?

PowerPoint will open the full webpage, not a specific section. If you need to jump to a particular part, you can use a URL that includes an anchor (for example, https://example.com#section-name), but not all websites support this.

What happens to links if I move the presentation to a different computer?

Web links will work on any computer. Links to files on your computer will break unless the file is in the same folder or you move the file along with the presentation. Links to other slides in the same presentation always work.

Can I see all the links in my presentation at once?

PowerPoint does not have a built-in list of all links. You have to go through each slide manually. If you need to update many links, right-click each one and choose Edit Link to change the address.