What a clickable link is and why you need one

A clickable link is text or an image that takes you somewhere else when you click it — to another webpage, a different part of the same document, or an email address. Instead of typing out a long web address, you highlight some words, attach a destination to them, and readers click those words to go there.

The difference between a plain link and a clickable one matters. A plain link looks like this: https://www.example.com/page. A clickable link looks like this: click here, and when you click those words, you land on that webpage. Clickable links are cleaner, easier to read, and they work the same way across email, documents, and websites.

Most of the time you will create clickable links in one of three places: a word processor like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, an email program like Gmail or Outlook, or a website editor if you are building a page yourself. The steps are slightly different for each, but the idea is the same.

Key Takeaways

  • A clickable link is text you click to go somewhere; you create one by selecting text, then attaching a web address or email to it.
  • In Microsoft Word and Google Docs, right-click the selected text and choose "Link" or "Insert Link" from the menu.
  • In Gmail and Outlook, select text and use the link button in the toolbar, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac).
  • Always test your link after creating it to make sure it goes to the right place and works in the way you intended.
  • You can link to a webpage, an email address, or a specific part of the same document, depending on what you are trying to do.

Creating a clickable link in Microsoft Word

Open your Word document and find the text you want to turn into a link. Highlight that text by clicking at the start of it, holding down your mouse button, and dragging to the end. The text should turn blue or gray to show it is selected.

Right-click on the selected text. A menu will pop up. Look for the option that says "Link" or "Insert Link" — the exact wording depends on your version of Word. Click it. A dialog box will open asking you where you want the link to go. Paste or type the full web address into the field labeled "Address" — for example, https://www.example.com. If you want the link to open in a new tab or window when someone clicks it, look for a checkbox that says "Open in new window" and check it. Then click "OK" to finish.

The text you selected will now appear in blue and underlined, which is the standard way links look. If you hover your mouse over it, you should see the web address appear. To test it, hold down Ctrl (or Cmd on a Mac) and click the link — it should open in your browser.

Creating a clickable link in Google Docs

In Google Docs, select the text you want to turn into a link by clicking and dragging across it. Once it is highlighted, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+K on Windows or Cmd+K on a Mac. A small box will pop up right above your text asking where the link should go.

Type or paste the web address into that box — again, the full address like https://www.example.com. You can also paste a link to a Google Doc, Google Sheet, or Google Drive file if you want to link to something inside your own account. Press Enter or click the checkmark to create the link. The text will turn blue and underlined.

Google Docs also lets you link to a specific heading within the same document. After you press Ctrl+K, look for the option that says "Heading" or "Bookmark" and select the heading you want to jump to. This is useful if you have a long document and want readers to be able to skip to a section.

Creating a clickable link in Gmail and Outlook

In Gmail, compose your email as usual. Select the text you want to turn into a link. In the toolbar at the bottom of the compose window, look for the link icon — it usually looks like a chain link. Click it. A box will appear asking for the web address. Type or paste the full URL and press Enter. The text will turn blue.

In Outlook, the process is almost identical. Select your text, then use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac), or click the "Link" button in the toolbar. A dialog box will open. Paste the web address into the "Address" field and click "OK". The text becomes a clickable link.

Both Gmail and Outlook also let you link to an email address. Instead of pasting a web address, type mailto: followed by the email address — for example, mailto:person@example.com. When someone clicks that link, their email program will open a new message to that address.

Linking to an email address

If you want readers to be able to email you by clicking a link, select your text and create a link as usual. Instead of pasting a web address, type mailto: followed by the email address with no spaces. For example: mailto:support@example.com. When someone clicks that link, their default email program will open with a new message addressed to that email.

You can also add a subject line to the email that opens. Type the email address, then add ?subject= followed by what you want the subject to say. For example: mailto:support@example.com?subject=Question%20about%20my%20account. Use %20 instead of spaces. This is less common but useful if you want emails to arrive with a specific subject line already filled in.

Testing and fixing broken links

After you create a link, always test it. In Word or Google Docs, hold Ctrl (or Cmd on a Mac) and click the link. It should open in your browser and take you to the right place. In email, you may need to send the message first before you can test it, or you can hover over the link to see the address it points to.

If a link does not work, the most common reason is a typo in the web address. Make sure you included the https:// at the start and that you copied the address exactly as it appears in your browser. If the webpage has moved or no longer exists, the link will take you to an error page. Check the address in your browser first, copy it again, and update the link.

To edit a link you have already created, right-click on it (or Ctrl+click on a Mac) and look for "Edit Link" or "Change Link". Update the address and save. To remove a link entirely, right-click it and choose "Remove Link" or "Delete Link".

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is forgetting the https:// at the start of the web address. Without it, some programs will not recognize it as a link. Always include the full address exactly as it appears when you copy it from your browser.

Another mistake is selecting text that is too long or too short. If you select only part of a word, the link may not work properly. Select the complete phrase you want to be clickable — for example, "click here to read more" rather than just "click".

Do not paste a link directly into your document and expect it to be clickable. If you paste https://www.example.com into Word or Google Docs, it may turn blue automatically, but it is better to select text you want readers to click and attach the address to it. This gives you control over what the link looks like and what it says.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make an image into a clickable link?

Yes. In Word, Google Docs, Gmail, and most website editors, right-click on the image and look for "Link" or "Insert Link". Attach the web address to the image the same way you would to text. When someone clicks the image, they will go to that address.

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

An absolute link includes the full web address: https://www.example.com/page. A relative link includes only the part after the domain: /page. Relative links only work on websites, not in documents or email. For documents and email, always use the full address.

How do I link to a specific part of a webpage?

If the webpage has headings or sections marked with anchors, you can link directly to them. Copy the full web address, then add a hash symbol and the anchor name: https://www.example.com/page#section-name. Not all websites set this up, so it may not always work.

Can I change the color of a link?

In Word and Google Docs, you can change the color of link text the same way you change any text color — select it and use the font color tool. In email and on websites, the color is usually controlled by the program or website design, and you may not be able to change it.

What happens if I delete the webpage a link points to?

The link will break. Anyone who clicks it will see an error page. If you move or delete content, update all the links that point to it, or set up a redirect so the old address takes people to the new one.