The basic way to make a link

A link is text or an image that, when clicked, takes you to another webpage or document. To make one, you need three things: the text or image you want to click on, the web address (URL) you want it to point to, and the right tool for where you are working.

In most programs — Microsoft Word, Google Docs, email, or a website builder — the process is similar. You highlight the text you want to turn into a link, then paste or type the URL you want it to go to. The program then wraps that text in code that tells a browser where to send someone when they click.

The exact steps change depending on what you are using. A word processor works differently from a website builder, which works differently from an email client. But the underlying idea stays the same: select, specify destination, save.

Key Takeaways

  • To make a link, highlight the text you want to be clickable, then use your program's link tool to paste in the URL you want it to point to.
  • In Microsoft Word and Google Docs, right-click the highlighted text and choose "Link" or "Insert Link" from the menu, then paste the URL into the box that appears.
  • On websites built with WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace, select text in the editor and click the link icon in the toolbar, then enter the URL.
  • Email programs like Gmail and Outlook have a link button in the compose window; highlight text, click the button, and paste the URL.
  • Always check that the URL is correct before saving, because readers will land on whatever page you linked to, even if you made a typo.

Making a link in Microsoft Word

Open your document and highlight the word or phrase you want to turn into a link. Right-click on the highlighted text. A menu will appear with several options — look for "Link" or "Insert Link" depending on your version of Word.

A dialog box will open with a field labeled "Address" or "URL". Paste the web address you want the link to point to into that field. If you want the link to open in a new tab when someone clicks it, look for a checkbox that says "Open in new window" or similar, and check it. Then click "OK" or "Insert".

The text will now appear underlined and in a different color — usually blue — to show it is a link. You can test it by holding Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and clicking the text. If it opens the right webpage, you are done.

Making a link in Google Docs

Highlight the text you want to be clickable. Then press Ctrl+K on Windows or Cmd+K on Mac. A small box will appear below your text with a field for the URL.

Paste the web address into that field and press Enter. The text will turn blue and underlined. If you want to change the link later, highlight it again and press Ctrl+K or Cmd+K to open the box again — you can then edit the URL or remove the link entirely.

Google Docs also lets you link to other parts of the same document. When you press Ctrl+K or Cmd+K, look for an option that says "Headings" or "Bookmarks" — this lets you jump to a specific section instead of an external webpage.

Making a link on a website builder

If you are building a website with WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, or a similar platform, the process is usually built into the text editor. Highlight the text you want to link, then look for a link icon in the toolbar — it usually looks like a chain or paperclip.

Click that icon and a box will appear asking for the URL. Paste the address you want to link to, then click "Insert" or "Apply". Some builders also let you link to pages within your own website by choosing them from a dropdown menu instead of typing a URL.

Many website builders also let you add links to images. Click the image to select it, then click the link icon in the toolbar. The same URL box will appear, and you can paste the address there.

Making a link in email

In Gmail, Outlook, or most other email programs, open a new message and type the text you want to be clickable. Highlight that text, then look for a link icon in the compose toolbar — it usually looks like a chain.

Click the icon and a box will appear. Paste the URL you want the link to point to, then click "Insert" or "OK". The text will turn blue and underlined to show it is now a link. When the recipient clicks it, their browser will open that webpage.

Some email programs also let you add a link by typing the full URL directly — if you type "https://www.example.com" in an email, many programs will automatically turn it into a clickable link without you having to highlight text first.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is forgetting to include "https://" at the start of the URL. If you paste just "example.com" without the "https://", the link may not work correctly. Always copy the full address from your browser's address bar to be sure.

Another mistake is not testing the link before you send or publish. Click the link yourself to make sure it goes where you intended. A typo in the URL means everyone who clicks will land on the wrong page, and you may not notice until someone tells you.

Do not assume the link will work forever. If the webpage you linked to is deleted or moved, the link will break and readers will see an error page. If you are linking to a page you do not control, check it occasionally to make sure it still exists.

Linking to files instead of webpages

You can also make a link point to a file instead of a webpage — a PDF, a Word document, an image, or a video. The process is the same: highlight text, open the link dialog, and paste the file's address.

If the file is on your computer, you will need to upload it to the internet first (to a cloud service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or your website's file storage). Then copy the link to that file and paste it into the link dialog. When someone clicks the link, the file will download or open in their browser, depending on the file type.

If you are linking to a file within the same website or document folder, some programs let you browse for the file instead of typing a URL. Look for a "Browse" or "Choose File" button in the link dialog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change a link after I have already made it?

Yes. Highlight the linked text again and open the link dialog using the same method you used to create it (right-click and choose Link, or press Ctrl+K). You can then edit the URL, or delete the link entirely to turn the text back to normal.

What is the difference between a relative link and an absolute link?

An absolute link includes the full web address, like "https://www.example.com/page". A relative link is shorter and only includes the path after the domain, like "/page". Relative links only work within the same website. Most of the time, use absolute links unless you are linking between pages on your own site.

Can I make a link that opens in a new tab?

Yes. When you open the link dialog, look for a checkbox or option that says "Open in new window" or "Open in new tab". Check that box before you click OK. This way, when someone clicks the link, it opens in a new tab instead of replacing the current page.

What if the link does not work after I create it?

First, check that you copied the URL correctly — missing characters or typos are the most common cause. Open the link dialog again and compare what you pasted to the actual web address in your browser. If the URL is correct but the link still does not work, the webpage may have been moved or deleted.

Can I link to a specific part of a webpage?

Yes, if that webpage uses headings or sections. You can add "#section-name" to the end of the URL to jump to that part. For example, "https://www.example.com/page#heading" will open the page and scroll down to the section labeled "heading". Not all websites support this, so test it first.