Pasting a link is a two-step process: copy the link first, then paste it where you need it
To paste a link, you need to have already copied it to your clipboard. Once it is there, you can paste it into an email, text message, document, or website comment by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac), or by right-clicking and selecting Paste from the menu that appears.
The link stays in your clipboard until you copy something else, so you can paste the same link multiple times without copying it again. If you paste and nothing appears, the link may not have copied correctly — go back and copy it once more before trying again.
Key Takeaways
- Use Ctrl+V on Windows or Command+V on Mac to paste a link you have already copied.
- Right-click in the space where you want the link and select Paste if the keyboard shortcut does not work.
- A link stays in your clipboard until you copy something else, so you can paste it many times in different places.
- If nothing appears when you paste, go back and copy the link again — it may not have copied the first time.
- Some websites and apps have their own paste button or menu option instead of the standard keyboard shortcut.
Pasting a link into an email or text message
Click or tap in the message body where you want the link to go. Then press Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac). The link will appear as text in your message.
Most email programs and text apps will automatically turn the link into a clickable blue hyperlink. If it does not, you can still send the message — the recipient can copy and paste the link into their browser address bar to visit it. Some email programs let you highlight the link text and choose a different display name, so the message shows "Click here" instead of the full web address.
Pasting a link into a document or spreadsheet
Open the document in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Excel, or another program. Click where you want the link to appear and press Ctrl+V or Command+V. The link will paste as text or as a clickable hyperlink, depending on the program.
In Google Docs and Microsoft Word, you can also right-click after pasting and choose how the link should look — as plain text, as a hyperlink, or with a custom display name. If you want to paste the link but hide the full web address behind different text (like "Read more"), use the Insert Link option in the program's menu instead of pasting directly.
Pasting a link into a website comment or form
Click in the text box where you want to add the link. Press Ctrl+V or Command+V. The link will appear as text in the comment box.
Some websites automatically turn pasted links into clickable hyperlinks. Others leave them as plain text, which is fine — readers can still copy and paste the link into their browser. A few websites do not allow links in comments at all and will remove them when you post. If your link disappears after you submit, that website has a policy against links in that section.
What to do if the paste shortcut does not work
If Ctrl+V or Command+V does not work, try right-clicking in the space where you want the link. A menu will pop up with a Paste option. Click it and the link should appear.
If right-click paste does not work either, the link may not have copied correctly. Go back to where you found the link, copy it again, and try pasting once more. On some websites, you may need to use the browser's Edit menu at the top of the window — click Edit, then Paste.
Pasting a link on a phone or tablet
Tap in the text box where you want the link. A menu will appear with options including Paste. Tap Paste and the link will appear in the message or document.
If you do not see a Paste option, hold your finger on the text box for a moment until the menu appears. On some phones, you may need to tap and hold longer. If Paste is grayed out or does not appear, the link may not be in your clipboard — go back and copy it again.
Pasting a link without the full web address showing
If you want the message to show "Click here" instead of a long web address, you need to create a custom hyperlink rather than just pasting. In most programs, you can do this by highlighting text, then using the Insert Link or Add Link option in the menu.
In Microsoft Word and Google Docs, go to the Insert menu and choose Link. In Gmail, highlight the text you want to use, then click the link icon in the toolbar. Paste the web address into the box that appears and click OK. The text will now be a clickable link that hides the full address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does nothing happen when I press Ctrl+V?
The link may not have copied to your clipboard. Go back to where you found the link, copy it again, and try pasting. Make sure you are clicking in the right text box before pasting. If the keyboard shortcut still does not work, try right-clicking and selecting Paste instead.
Can I paste the same link multiple times?
Yes. Once you copy a link, it stays in your clipboard until you copy something else. You can paste it as many times as you want in different messages, documents, or websites without copying it again.
What if the website turns my pasted link into a preview card instead of plain text?
Some platforms like Facebook and Slack automatically create a preview card showing the page title and image when you paste a link. This is normal and happens automatically — you do not need to do anything. The link is still clickable and will take readers to the correct page.
Can I paste a link on my phone the same way as on a computer?
The process is similar but uses touch instead of keyboard shortcuts. Tap in the text box, then tap and hold until a menu appears with a Paste option. Tap Paste and the link will appear. Some phone keyboards have a Paste button built in at the top.
What if I paste a link and it shows as plain text instead of a clickable link?
This is fine — readers can still copy and paste the text into their browser address bar to visit it. If you want it to be clickable, you may need to use the program's Insert Link feature instead of pasting directly, or the website may not support clickable links in that section.