how to make a hyperlink in a powerpoint presentation

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Computers and Electronics
• Presentation Software
• PowerPoint Insertions

How to Put a Hyperlink in Microsoft PowerPoint

Last Updated: July 18, 2022

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 31 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 427,784 times. Learn more...

Do you want to add a link to a website or document to your PowerPoint presentation? Adding hyperlinks to PowerPoint slides is incredibly easy. This wikiHow will teach you how to insert hyperlinks into PowerPoint slides using Windows and macOS.

Select a slide.

Select the hyperlink text.

• You can also make an image a hyperlink—just click the desired image to select it.

Click the "Insert" tab.

Click the "Link" icon.

Add a location or address to link to.

• To link to a file or website, select Existing File or Web Page at the top-left. Then, enter the full URL of the website or select the document.
• To link to another location in your presentation, select Place in This Document , then select a slide title.
• To create an email hyperlink, select E-mail address , then enter an email address. Clicking the link will simply compose a new message to this address.

Click "OK" to create the link.

Community Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-a-hyperlink-to-a-slide-239c6c94-d52f-480c-99ae-8b0acf7df6d9

About This Article

• Send fan mail to authors

Is this article up to date?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Keep up with the latest tech with wikiHow's free Tech Help Newsletter

• Slidesgo School
• PowerPoint Tutorials

How to Insert a Hyperlink in PowerPoint

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to add links to other documents, websites, multimedia resources, email addresses or even other slides in the same presentation . Any of the resources included in the presentation, such as texts, images or shapes, can be linked. 

Adding a Link to a Website

Adding a link to another slide in the same presentation, to another document, to an email address or to a new document.

• Select the resource you want to use as a link.
• On the Insert tab, click Hyperlink. You can also right-click and choose Hyperlink.
• In the “Address” field, enter the URL of the website you want to link to. If you click ScreenTip, you can define the text that will appear on the popup when hovering over the link.
• When you’re done, click OK.
• Select the desired option under “Link to”:

• By clicking the ScreenTip button, you can enter the text that will appear on the popup when hovering over the link.

Do you find this article useful?

Related tutorials.

How to Make a Jeopardy Game in PowerPoint

Thinking about new ways of reviewing concepts for your students? Do you simply want to have fun with your friends? Or are you a medical student and need a helping hand with the names of the different parts of the inner ear? We can help you! Gamification is always a good idea when trying to learn new things, don’t you think? We have created an educational Jeopardy using interactive slides. You can pick different subjects and questions clicking on different buttons! Does it sound like rocket science? In this tutorial, we’ll teach you how to create a funny Jeopardy from scratch....

How to Create a Jeopardy Game in Google Slides

Jeopardy is an American television game show in which contestants have some clues or answers, and they need to give their responses in the form of questions—and, of course, they can get some money! We’re sure you have watched this show several times. Jeopardy games are pretty useful! They are great to have fun with your friends or to play with your students to review some concepts related to different subjects, such as Medicine, English, Maths or sciences. In this tutorial, we are going to teach you how to create a Jeopardy board from scratch. Let’s get the party started! 

How to Make a Quiz for Your Online Classes Using PowerPoint

Sometimes it is not easy to get your students involved when giving a presentation. One of the best ways to capture their attention is creating interactive quizzes and questions, so they will interact with the slides. This way, the learning process will turn into something fun and amazing for children. If you want to learn how to make some interactive quizzes for your pupils using PowerPoint presentations, read this tutorial. It’s an easy task, and it will only take you a few minutes! 

How to Create a Quiz for Your Online Classes Using Google Slides

Quizzes are great tools to get your audience involved, as they need to participate and give their own answers. In fact, they are particularly useful when teaching children, as their attention gets diverted quite easily. This way, they will learn in an interactive and entertaining way. Creating a quiz is not a complex thing to do, but it requires some time. In this tutorial, we are going to teach you how to create some question slides for your students using Google Slides. Let’s get started! 

Critical PowerPoint Shortcuts – Claim Your FREE Training Module and Get Your Time Back!

How to hyperlink in PowerPoint (best practices)

• PowerPoint Tutorials
• Shortcuts & Hacks
• February 14, 2024

In this post you’ll learn how to hyperlink in PowerPoint.

And the reason that hyperlinking in PowerPoint is important is that it allows you to jump around within your presentation or open documents outside of your presentation without leaving Slideshow Mode.

This allows you to create interactive and non-linear presentations. Common things you might use hyperlinks for in PowerPoint are:

• Hyperlinking to another slide in your presentation
• Opening a document or file on your computer Jumping to a page on the internet
• Open another PowerPoint presentation or slide show
• Create the mouseover text effect in PowerPoint (using ScreenTips)

The other great thing about hyperlinks in PowerPoint is that they automatically convert to the PDF file format. For details on how to convert PowerPoint into the PDF file format, read our guide here .

Table of Contents

What is a hyperlink in powerpoint.

A hyperlink is typically clickable text that jumps you to a location online, opens a file on your computer or performs some other action when you click it.

An online hyperlink can be written in two ways:

• As the full URL address you are jumping to: For example, visit our website www.nutsandboltsspeedtraining.com
• As shortened text with the hyperlink embedded inside the text (which is how it works in the Microsoft Office suite): For example: Visit our website here (with the entire URL address embedded in the text ‘ here ‘).

This is an important distinction to make, as most of the hyperlinks you add in PowerPoint, Word and Excel are clickable text or objects, with the hyperlink embedded within.

You can use hyperlinks in the Microsoft Office suite to do a variety of things like:

• Open a web page online
• Open files or documents on your computer
• Jump to a specific section in your document
• Create new documents (that you can begin editing)
• Start an email message

These hyperlinks can be embedded (as you’ll learn to do below) in text, shapes, pictures, charts, etc., allowing you to create interactive documents.

That is, people can click on things within your document to perform certain tasks, navigate to specific sections of your presentation or even open custom slide shows (if you have already set them up).

NOTE:  In PowerPoint, you can also use clickable objects to trigger animated effects, but these are NOT hyperlinks. To learn how to set up trigger objects to fire your animations (like making objects appear and disappear),  read our guide here .

Take your PPT skills to the next level

How to hyperlink to another slide in powerpoint.

To hyperlink to another slide in PowerPoint, the first thing you need is some text or an object to anchor your hyperlink in. Once you have the object, simply select the text or object and hit Ctrl+K on your keyboard to open the Insert Hyperlink dialog box.

If you do not like keyboard shortcuts, you can alternatively open the Insert Hyperlink dialog box using your Ribbon.

To add a link to an object (or block of text) using the PowerPoint Ribbon, simply:

• Select your text or object that you want to use as the anchor for link
• Click the Insert tab
• Open the Link drop down
• Select Insert Link…

For this example, I have done the following in the Insert Hyperlink dialog box:

• Selected a Place in this Document
• Selected Slide 3 (the slide I want to jump to within this presentation)

You can choose for yourself where you want your hyperlink to link to. Just keep in mind that a hyperlink can only have a single destination. A hyperlink cannot link to multiple locations at the same time.

Instead of using hyperlinks to jump around your presentation, you can also use action buttons. To learn about action buttons, see GFC Global’s blog post here .

Note. To use the Show and Return feature at the bottom of the Slide preview window, you need to hyperlink to a Custom Slideshow.  That is, a smaller subset of your slides that you set up. 

How to trigger a hyperlink

Once you’ve inserted a hyperlink into PowerPoint, there are two ways to trigger it.

#1. Slideshow mode (Presentation View)

When in any of the Presentation Views (like Presenter View), simply hover your mouse over your hyperlink and click it like you would any online link. Triggering the hyperlink then jumps you to the destination you selected (see details above).

To expand your knowledge and learn the different ways to start a PowerPoint slideshow (including how to start Presenter View), read more about it here .

#2. Normal View

In the Normal View in PowerPoint (the standard editing view), you can trigger a hyperlink by holding the Control  key and clicking the hyperlink with your mouse. This creates the same effect as simply clicking a hyperlink in the Presentation View.

Hyperlinking text vso Objects

When given the choice of what to use as your hyperlink trigger, the best practice is to use the object itself, rather than text. That’s because you have little control over the default hyperlink text formatting as pictured below.

All the objects in the graphic above have the same exact hyperlink applied to them. Notice how the hyperlinked text displays formatting, while the hyperlinked objects do not show any formatting.

When you add a hyperlink to text, it not only gets that underlined hyperlink formatting, but it also changes color once you have clicked the hyperlink. In PowerPoint, this is known as the Followed Hyperlink color. On the other hand, when you anchor your hyperlink on an object, the text never displays the hyperlink formatting. This is why most presenters prefer to anchor their hyperlink on their object instead of anchoring it on their text.

If you do decide to use text hyperlinks in your slides, you can always change the used hyperlink formatting by resetting your hyperlinks (see the next section).

When would using text hyperlinks make sense? When you want to see what you’ve already clicked on inside your presentation.  That’s because the Followed Hyperlink color (I’ll show you how to change that in a second) shows you exactly what you have already clicked on.

How to reset a hyperlink's color

If you are using text hyperlinks, as you click them in your presentation, the hyperlink color changes to the Followed Hyperlink color. This is fine if you want them to change colors (demonstrating what you have already clicked on), but it’s annoying if you don’t.

If you are using text hyperlinks, this means that after you have tested them out, you will need to reset the hyperlinks, so they start with the unfollowed hyperlink color.

To reset the color of a text hyperlink in PowerPoint, simply:

• Select the hyperlinked text
• Open the Insert Hyperlink dialog box (Ctrl+K)
• Immediately click OK

Clicking OK automatically resets the used hyperlink formatting back to the default unused text hyperlink formatting.

If you do go with text hyperlinks, the used formatting gives you a sense of what you’ve already clicked on. That means you won’t waste time navigating to something you’ve already covered. That said, you will need to reset the text formatting each time before you give your presentation.

How to change your hyperlink color in PowerPoint

To change the colors of your Hyperlinks and Followed Hyperlinks in PowerPoint, simply:

• Navigate to the Design tab
• Open the  More option (downward facing arrow)
• Open the Color drop down
• Select  Customize Colors
• Set a new  Hyperlink  and  Followed Hyperlink  color
• Select  Save

Selecting Save saves your new color combination as a PowerPoint Theme and apply it to your current presentation. When selecting your own colors for your hyperlinks, stark colors work best so they stand out from your presentation.

To learn all about creating your PowerPoint template (including selecting your own theme colors, etc.), read our guide here .

Next, you’ll see how to reset your Followed Hyperlink color back to the default color you set.

How to remove a PowerPoint hyperlink

To remove a hyperlink in PowerPoint:

• Select the hyperlinked text or hyperlinked PowerPoint object
• Right-click the object (or text)
• Select Remove Link

Regardless of what the link was pointing to, Remove Link removes the hyperlink formatting and the link. 

New Zoom Transition Hyperlink

If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, there is a new way to add hyperlinks to PowerPoint called the Zoom transition. To make it easier to refer to, I will simply call them Zoom slides below.

To create a Zoom transition, simply click and drag a slide from the Thumbnail view on the left of your presentation, onto the slide you are currently using as pictured below.

Once you have created a Zoom slide, selecting it on your slide opens the Zoom Tools Format tab. From this tab, you have a variety of different formatting and transition options to choose from.

For example, do you want your Zoom transition to return to the slide it started on?

If yes, then in the Zoom Tools Format tab Zoom Options, simply select Return to Zoom (see picture below).

Selecting  Return to Zoom  means that after jumping to your Zoom slide, when you advance your slideshow, you will automatically return to the jumping off point within your presentation.

That allows you to create a dashboard like effect within your presentation. For example, you could present your audience with options – have them vote – and then click the link to jump to that section of your presentation.

And while this might seem complicated, you are in fact just creating hyperlinks (with a cool zoom effect).

For a FULL walk through of how to create a Zoom link and everything you can do with it, see the Presentation Guild’s full training online seminar here .

How to troubleshoot hyperlinks that are not working

First off, hyperlinks are meant to work in Slideshow Mode or Presentation View of PowerPoint.

So before troubleshooting your hyperlinks, make sure you have tried them out in the proper view first.

If your hyperlinks are still not working, the probable cause is that your hyperlink is broken. That is, whatever you were hyperlinking to has been deleted or moved. If this is the case, you simply need to reset your hyperlink.

To reset (or fix) a hyperlink in PowerPoint, simply:

• Make sure you have access to the file, slide or location you want to hyperlink to
• Select your hyperlinked text or object
• Open the Insert Hyperlink dialog box ( Ctrl+K on your keyboard)
• Set up your hyperlink to the correct slide, document, or location on your computer

Clicking  OK , your hyperlink resets, and will properly take you the slide, document, or location that you set it to.

Hyperlink ScreenTip Trick (the Mouseover Text Effect)

Another way to user hyperlinks in PowerPoint is to leverage the ScreenTip functionality to create the mouse pop-up text effect in PowerPoint that you can see in the picture below.

In this case, you are not using the hyperlink to jump around your presentation. Instead, you are leveraging the ScreenTip functionality, to display text as you hover your mouse over an object in PowerPoint.

To expand your knowledge for creating this effect, see my guide on how to create this mouseover text effect in PowerPoint .

As you can see, there is more to hyperlinking in PowerPoint than just inserting the link. There are considerations on what you anchor your link to, how to change the color of your hyperlinks, and how to reset them as well.

I always hyperlink objects instead of text whenever possible as it creates fewer formatting issues as you click through the slides. That said, if you want a visual cue of which links you’ve already clicked in your presentation, you will want to hyperlink your text directly.

In short, hyperlinks are a great way to create choices within your presentation. That is, giving your audience a choice and then jumping to topics within your presentation that they are most interested in learning more about.

If you enjoyed this article, you can learn more about our PowerPoint training and free tutorials  here .

🔒 Unlock the PowerPoint Shortcuts Trusted by Industry Leaders KKR, American Express, HSBC, and More!

Join over 114,880 professionals from diverse fields including consulting, investment banking, advertising, marketing, sales, and business development who have supercharged their PowerPoint game with our proven methods.

✅ Customize compelling presentations effortlessly.

✅ Master time-saving techniques for faster deck creation.

✅ Boost your career prospects with top-notch PowerPoint skills.

Get FREE access to the Critical PowerPoint Shortcuts module of our premium training course by entering your name and email below.

DISCLAIMER: PC Users Only!

We respect your privacy and will keep your info safe and confidential.

Related Articles

• What is a broken link chart in PowerPoint (and how to fix it)?
• Bar chart trick: Right aligning categories (PPT, Word, and Excel)
• PowerPoint settings: program level vs. presentation level
• What is a linked Excel chart in PowerPoint?
• Set Up Slide Show: Customize how your PPT presentations run

About The Author

This Post Has One Comment

On a different machine with Powerpoint 2016 Home, my hyperlinks are clickable in Normal Edit View, but on another machine with Powerpoint 2016 Professional I have to view in Slideshow to click the hyperlinks. What gives?

Comments are closed.

Popular Tutorials

• How to Strikethrough Text (l̶i̶k̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶) in Word, Excel & PowerPoint
• How to Make Animated Fireworks in PowerPoint (Step-by-Step)
• Strikethrough Shortcut (l̶i̶k̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶) for Word, Excel & PowerPoint
• How to Create a Flash Card Memory Game in PowerPoint (Like Jeopardy)
• Keyboard Shortcuts Not Working: Solved

PowerPoint Tutorial Categories

• Strategies & Opinions
• Presentation Design
• Pictures, Icons, Videos, Etc.
• New Features
• Miscellaneous
• Charts & Data Viz

We help busy professionals save hours and gain peace of mind, with corporate workshops, self-paced courses and tutorials for PowerPoint and Word.

Work With Us

• Corporate Training
• Presentation & Template Design
• Courses & Downloads
• PowerPoint Articles
• Word Articles
• Productivity Resources

Find a Tutorial

• Free Training
• For Businesses

We help busy office workers save hours and gain peace of mind, with tips, training and tutorials for Microsoft PowerPoint and Word.

Master Critical PowerPoint Shortcuts – Secure Your FREE Training Module and Save Valuable Time!

⌛ Master time-saving expert techniques.

🔥 Create powerful presentations.

🚀 Propel your career to new heights.

We value your privacy – we keep your info safe.

Discover PowerPoint Hacks Loved by Industry Giants - KKR, AmEx, HSBC!

Over 114,880 professionals in finance, marketing and sales have revolutionized their PPT skills with our proven methods. 

Gain FREE access to a full module of our premium PowerPoint training program – Get started today!

We hate spam too and promise to keep your information safe.

You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Facebook . To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.

How to Insert a Hyperlink in Powerpoint 2019: A Step-by-Step Guide

Adding a hyperlink to your Powerpoint presentation can truly elevate your game. It’s a simple way to direct your audience to additional resources, websites, or email addresses directly from your slides. Want to know how? Just follow along with these quick and easy steps and you’ll be linking away in no time.

Step by Step Tutorial on How to Insert a Hyperlink in Powerpoint 2019

Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand what we are aiming for. Inserting a hyperlink in Powerpoint 2019 allows you to link to another slide, a web page, an email address, or even a file on your computer. This can make your presentation more interactive and accessible.

Step 1: Open Your Powerpoint Presentation

Open the Powerpoint presentation where you want to insert the hyperlink.

This first step is pretty straightforward, right? Just make sure you’re on the slide where you want the hyperlink to be.

Step 2: Select the Text or Object

Click on the text or object that you want to turn into a hyperlink.

Remember, hyperlinks aren’t limited to text only. You can make images or shapes clickable too!

Step 3: Access the Hyperlink Function

Right-click on the selected text or object and choose ‘Hyperlink,’ or go to the ‘Insert’ tab and click on ‘Hyperlink.’

You’ll find the ‘Hyperlink’ option easily on the right-click menu. Alternatively, the ‘Insert’ tab on the ribbon has it all laid out for you.

Step 4: Insert the Link

In the ‘Insert Hyperlink’ dialog box, paste or type in the URL, link to a file, place in the document, or an email address.

Make sure to check that your link works by clicking on the ‘Test this link’ button in the dialog box. It’ll save you from any embarrassment during the presentation.

Step 5: Customize Your Display Text

Customize the text to display if you do not want the URL to show on the slide.

You can get creative here. Instead of showing a long, ugly link, use relevant and catchy phrases like ‘Click Here’ or ‘Learn More.’

After you’ve completed these steps, voila! Your hyperlink is now inserted into your Powerpoint slide. When you’re presenting, all you’ll need to do is click on the hyperlink, and it’ll take you (or your audience) straight to the linked content.

Tips for Inserting a Hyperlink in Powerpoint 2019

• Double-check your URLs to ensure they are correct before adding them to your presentation.
• Use descriptive text for your display link to give your audience a clear idea of where the link will take them.
• If you’re linking to another slide in the same presentation, remember to update the hyperlink if you move the slides around.
• For a more streamlined look, match the hyperlink text color to your presentation’s theme.
• Consider using hyperlinking as a way to create non-linear presentations, allowing you to jump to different sections based on audience interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i link to a specific part of a webpage.

Yes, if the webpage has anchor links set up, you can link directly to a specific section by including the ‘#’ followed by the anchor name in the URL.

Can I remove a hyperlink?

Absolutely, just right-click on the hyperlink, and select ‘Remove Hyperlink’ to delete it.

What if my hyperlink isn’t working?

Check the link for any typos, and ensure that all web addresses begin with ‘http://’ or ‘https://’. Testing the link beforehand always helps.

Can I change the color of the hyperlink text?

Yes, after inserting the hyperlink, you can change the text color through the regular text formatting options.

Can I add a hyperlink to a video?

Indeed, you can hyperlink a video just like text or images. Just make sure the video file is accessible to your audience if you’re sharing the presentation.

• Open your Powerpoint presentation.
• Select the text or object to hyperlink.
• Access the Hyperlink function via right-click or the Insert tab.
• Insert the desired link into the dialog box.
• Customize your display text for the hyperlink.

Mastering the art of hyperlinking in Powerpoint can truly transform your presentations from static slides to dynamic, interactive experiences. Whether it’s guiding your audience to a helpful webpage, cross-referencing to another slide, or providing a quick email contact, the power of a hyperlink is immense. It’s also a fantastic way to keep your presentations clean and organized, ensuring that additional resources are just a click away without cluttering your slides. And remember, practice makes perfect. Don’t hesitate to play around with different types of hyperlinks and their formatting to see what works best for your narrative style. Now that you know how to insert a hyperlink in Powerpoint 2019, the only limit is your creativity. So, go ahead, give it a try, and watch your presentations come to life!

Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.

His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related Posts

• How to Create a Hyperlink in Powerpoint 2010: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Add a Hyperlink on Google Slides
• How to Rotate a Powerpoint Slide Presentation
• How to Download a Google Slides Presentation as a Powerpoint File
• How to Do a Powerpoint Google Slides Presentation Conversion
• How to Make Google Slides Vertical (5 Quick Steps)
• How to Delete a Slide in Powerpoint 2010: Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Remove a Hyperlink in Word 2010: Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Add Hyperlink in Outlook Signature – 2010 Guide
• How to Remove Slide Numbers in Powerpoint 2019: Easy Steps
• How to Convert Powerpoint to Google Slides: A Tech Solution
• How to Hide a Slide in Powerpoint 2010: A Step-by-Step Guide
• Can You Save a Powerpoint as a Video in Powerpoint 2013? Find Out Here!
• How to Make a Powerpoint Slide Vertical in Powerpoint 2013: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Add a New Slide in Google Slides: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to End Powerpoint on Last Slide in Powerpoint 2010: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Delete Multiple Slides in Google Slides: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Insert a Google Slides Page Number: Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Change Slide Size in Powerpoint 2016
• How to Save Powerpoint as PDF with Notes: A Step-by-Step Guide

Get Our Free Newsletter

How-to guides and tech deals

You may opt out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

How to Add a Hyperlink in PowerPoint: 3 Quick Steps

In the realm of presentations, PowerPoint has always reigned supreme. Its versatility and ease of use make it the go-to choice for professionals and students alike.

But as we navigate this digital-centric age, the ability to embed clickable links directly into PowerPoint slides can transform a static presentation into an interactive masterpiece. Whether it’s to reference a website, jump to a specific slide, or even initiate an email, hyperlinks can add depth to your content.

Let’s dive deep into the process of adding hyperlinks in PowerPoint and explore some crucial best practices.

How Does Unlimited PowerPoint Templates Sound?

Download thousands of PowerPoint templates, and many other design elements, with a monthly Envato Elements membership. It starts at $16 per month, and gives you unlimited access to a growing library of over 2,000,000 presentation templates, fonts, photos, graphics, and more.

Pitch Deck Templates

Startup pitch deck.

Modern PPT Templates

New & innovative.

Explore PowerPoint Templates

Step 1: Selecting Your Text or Object

Decide on the text, image, shape, or even chart that you want to turn into a clickable hyperlink. Highlight the text or click once on the object, ensuring it’s selected. A bounding box or highlighted area should appear, indicating your selection.

Once selected, right-click to open a context-sensitive menu. This menu provides various options based on what you’ve selected.

Step 2: Navigating the ‘Hyperlink’ Option

In the right-click menu, locate and select the ‘Hyperlink’ option. The ‘Insert Hyperlink’ dialog box will pop up, presenting several hyperlinking opportunities.

Understanding Link Types:

• Existing File or Web Page: This is perhaps the most commonly used option. Here, you can link to a webpage, a file on your computer, or even a file on a network.
• Place in This Document: A great feature for creating non-linear presentations, this option lets you jump to specific slides within your deck.
• Create New Document: Want your hyperlink to create and open a new document? This option is for you, though it’s less commonly used in presentations.
• Email Address: Initiating an email is as simple as inputting an address here. Once clicked during a presentation, it will open the viewer’s default email client with the chosen address pre-populated.

Step 3: Entering Your Desired Link

Linking to a Website: Under ‘Existing File or Web Page’, input the URL of the website you wish to link to.

Jumping Between Slides: Under ‘Place in This Document’, a list of all your slides will appear. Simply select the desired destination slide.

For New Documents: If you chose ‘Create New Document’, you’d have to name the document and decide whether it should be edited now or later.

Email Links: Under ‘Email Address’, input the email and subject. The subject is optional but can pre-populate the email’s subject line for the viewer.After inputting your link, click ‘OK’. Your selected text or object will now bear the hallmark of a hyperlink, typically underscored and in a contrasting color.

7 Tips and Best Practices for Using Links in PowerPoint

1. visibility is key.

Ensure your hyperlink stands out. Differentiate it with a unique color or underline. But remember, it should still fit aesthetically with your slide’s design.

2. Always Test

Just added a link? Test it! Before presenting, ensure every link directs to the correct location or performs the intended action.

3. Maintain Balance

Hyperlinks can make slides interactive, but don’t overdo it. An overload of links can turn a presentation chaotic and confusing.

4. Descriptive Link Text

Rather than “Click Here”, use text like “Read More About Our Research”. It’s informative and aids in comprehension.

5. Shortcut Know-How

When navigating a presentation, remember that holding the Ctrl key and clicking will activate a hyperlink. This knowledge can come in handy for presenters.

6. Consider Your Audience

Remember, not all viewers may be familiar with hyperlinks in presentations. Provide subtle guidance, either verbally or with on-screen cues.

7. Keep Accessibility in Mind

For those using screen readers, hyperlink text should be descriptive. Avoid raw URLs as the link text and opt for a brief, concise description.

By embedding hyperlinks thoughtfully, you can enrich your PowerPoint presentations, offering an interactive experience and delivering additional value. With this detailed guide and the accompanying best practices, you’re well on your way to mastering the art of hyperlinking in PowerPoint.

How to Hyperlink in PowerPoint? [The Complete Guide!]

By: Author Shrot Katewa

If you wish to jump a few slides when delivering your PowerPoint presentation, you will need to make use of the “Hyperlink” feature in PowerPoint!

To insert a hyperlink in PowerPoint, first, select and highlight the text or object. Next, right-click and choose the “Link” option. Select the destination of the link. You can link to an existing file, web page, or a specific slide within the presentation. Once the destination is chosen, click “OK”.

In this article, you will get to understand the hyperlink feature in PowerPoint in great detail. I’ll share with you how to add a hyperlink (in further detail), how do you edit a hyperlink, and even how to link to files outside of PowerPoint! That and much more!

So, let’s get started!

1. How to Add a Hyperlink in PowerPoint?

Let’s get straight to the key reason why you are here reading this article i.e. how do you insert a hyperlink in PowerPoint?

A hyperlink is a link added to a text or image that leads to a new document or a new section within the document when clicked on.

In Microsoft PowerPoint, even though you can add a hyperlink to texts or images, the process of doing so is quite similar for both.

Let’s take a look at the step-by-step process involved in adding a hyperlink in PowerPoint.

Step-1: Select the Text and Click on the “Link” option

The first step is to “Right Click” on the text or image where you want to add the hyperlink. In the dropdown menu, click on the “Link” option. Alternatively, you can press the “Ctrl+K” keys on your keyboard.

You can also click on the “Insert” tab in PowerPoint , and click on the “Link” option from the ribbon. You can use any of the three methods, and you will be prompted with the “Insert Hyperlink” window.

Step-2: Choose the Destination of the Link

In the “Insert Hyperlink” dialog box, you can either link a file from your computer or an online source by clicking on the “Existing File or Web Page” button. Then, navigate to the folder containing the file, click on the file to select it, and click “ OK “.

Alternatively, you can also click on the “ Place in this document ” option to link to an existing slide. (I shall show the exact steps later in this article).

2. How to Edit Hyperlink Text in PowerPoint?

In PowerPoint, adding a hyperlink does not change the behavior of text or the text box. Thus, the process of editing a hyperlink text is similar to the way you would edit the text in PowerPoint normally.

All you have to do is click inside the text box and delete or add text. You can also change the appearance of the hyperlink text by using the tools in the “Font” section of the “Home” tab in PowerPoint .

3. How to Edit the Hyperlink in PowerPoint?

Once a hyperlink is added to a text or image in a PowerPoint slide, you can go back and edit it. To do so, “Right Click” on the hyperlinked text and select the “Edit Link” option from the dropdown menu.

This will open the familiar “Insert Hyperlink” dialog box that we saw in section 1 of this article. Simply select another file or slide from the presentation in order to edit the link.

4. How to Remove Hyperlink in PowerPoint?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, you can remove the hyperlink from a text or an image with only one click. “Right Click” on the text or image to open the dropdown menu.

Now all you have to do is click on the “Remove Link” option to remove the hyperlink.

5. How to Hyperlink to Another Slide in PowerPoint

As mentioned earlier in the article, you can even link one slide to another within the same presentation using the hyperlink feature. This has great benefits especially when you want to specifically jump to a section in the presentation that you want to show in further detail.

Here’s what you need to do in order to link to another slide within the same presentation using the hyperlink feature in PowerPoint –

Step-1: “Right Click” on the selected text or image

In the selected slide, “Right Click” on the text or image where you want to link another slide. Then click on the “Link” option from the dropdown menu.

You can alternatively press the “Ctrl+K” keys on your keyboard. This will open a dialog box.

Step-2: Click on the “Place in This Document” option

In the “Insert Hyperlink” dialog box, click on the “Place in This Document” option from the left sidebar. Then select the slide you want to link.

You can see the selected slide in the “Slide preview” section in the dialog box. Finally, you have to click on the “OK” button to finish the process.

5a. How to Return Back to the Main Slide?

During a presentation, it may be important to return to the main slide in one click after jumping to the linked slide. To do so, you can add a shape and hyperlink it back to the main slide.

Here’s how to create a hyperlink back to the main slide –

Step-1: Click on the “Shapes” option

The first step is to open the linked slide. Then click on the “Insert” tab from the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen. In the “Insert” menu, click on the “Shapes” option and select your preferred shape from the dropdown menu.

Step-2: Edit the shape

Now you can select the shape and click on the “Shape Format” tab from the menu ribbon. In the “Format Shape” sidebar located on the right side of the screen, edit the color and of the shape to visually match the rest of the slide.

I would highly recommend adding a text to the shape something to the effect of “Go back to slide X” (where “X” is the slide number of the main slide you want to return). This will help you and others take note of why a shape exists on the slide and prevent others from deleting it accidentally.

Step-3: “Right Click” on the shape

Now, all we need to do is simply create a hyperlink that links back to the original slide.

Select the shape and “Right Click” on the shape. Then, click on the “Link” option. You can alternatively press the “Ctrl+K” keys on your keyboard to open the “Insert Hyperlink” dialog box.

Step-4: Hyperlink the main slide

In the “Insert Hyperlink” dialog box, click on the “Place in This Document” button from the sidebar located on the left side. Then select the main slide and click on the “OK” button.

Now all you have to do is click on the shape to return to the main slide during the presentation.

Note that this link will only work when you are viewing the presentation in slideshow mode!

6. How to Hyperlink Without Underline?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, you cannot hyperlink text without the underline directly. However, there is a workaround.

To add a hyperlink without underlining a text in PowerPoint, you will need to use a transparent shape. Insert a shape over the text. Right-click and add a hyperlink to the shape. Then, select the “No Fill” options to remove the “Fill” and “Line” colors in the “Format Shape” settings.

Here’s a detailed step-by-step process that you will need to follow –

Step-1: Click on the “Remove Link” option

The first step is to remove the hyperlink from the text. “Right Click” on the hyperlink text and select the “Remove Link” option from the dropdown menu.

This will ensure that the underline from the text gets removed.

Step-2: Click on the “Shapes” option

Now click on the “Insert” tab from the menu bar and click on the “Shapes” button in the “Insert” menu. From the dropdown menu, select the “Rectangle” option.

Then insert the rectangle shape over the hyperlink text.

Step-3: Add a hyperlink to the shape

The next step is to add the hyperlink to the shape instead of the text.

“Right Click” on the shape and click on the “Link” option. Alternatively, you can press the “Ctrl+K” keys on your keyboard.

In the “Insert Hyperlink” dialog box, paste the link that was previously on the text (as we did before in the previous sections). Then click on the “OK” button.

Step-4: Click on the “Format Shape” option

Now all you have to do is “Right Click” on the shape and click on the “Format Shape” option at the bottom of the dropdown menu.

This will open a “Format Shape” sidebar located at the right side of the screen.

Step-5: Click on the “No fill” and “No line” options

In the “Format Shape” sidebar, click on the “No fill” option under the “Fill” section. Then click on the “No line” option under the “Line” section.

This will make the shape completely transparent and make the text visible while removing the underline from the text. You can now click on the text and access the hyperlink in the slideshow mode.

7. How to Add a YouTube Link in PowerPoint?

To add a Youtube link in a PowerPoint slide, you have to first open the Youtube video that you want to link and copy the link address. Then follow the 2 quick steps.

Step-1: Click on the “Link” option

First, you have to select the text to hyperlink. Then “Right Click” on the selected text and click on the “Link” option. Alternatively, you can press the “Ctrl+K” keys on your keyboard.

Step-2: Paste the Youtube link

Click on the “Existing File or Web Page” option in the “Insert Hyperlink” dialog box. Then paste the Youtube link in the “Address” box at the bottom.

Now all you have to do is click on the “OK” button to hyperlink the Youtube video.

8. How to Insert a Website Link in PowerPoint?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, you can hyperlink to any resource available on the web. To insert a website link, you have to first obtain the link from the website. Then follow the 3 easy steps.

Step-1: Click on “Link”

In the open slide, select the text or image which you want to hyperlink. Then “Right Click” on the selected text or image. Click on the “Link” option from the dropdown menu. Alternatively, you can press the “Ctrl+K” keys on your keyboard.

Step-2: Paste the link to the website

The next step is to paste the website link in the “Address” box in the “Insert Hyperlink” dialog box. “Right Click” on the “Address” box and click on the “Paste” option from the dropdown menu.

This will paste the copied website link. You can alternatively press the “Ctrl+V” keys on your keyboard.

Step-3: Click on the “OK” option

Now all you have to do is click on the “OK” button at the bottom of the “Insert Hyperlink” dialog box to insert the link to the website (as shown in the image in step 2).

9. How to Hyperlink in PowerPoint to an Excel File?

Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to add both links from the web as well as links to existing files in your computer as a hyperlink. To hyperlink to an Excel file in a slide, follow the 3 simple steps.

Step-1: “Right Click” on the selected text

The first step is to select the text or image where you want to insert the link. Then you have to “Right Click” on it. From the dropdown menu, click on the “Link” option.

Step-2: Click on the “Browse for File” option

The next step is to click on the “Browse for File” option in the “Insert Hyperlink” dialog box. It is the third icon at the right side of the “Look in” box and looks like a folder.

This will open another dialog box.

Step-3: Click on the “Search Documents” box

In the “Link to File” dialog box, click on the “Search Documents” box located at the top and right corner. Then type in the name of the Excel file you want to hyperlink.

Select the Excel file and click on the “Open” button at the bottom of the dialog box to insert the link to the Excel file.

10.  How to Hyperlink in PowerPoint to a PDF File?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, you can add a hyperlink to a PDF file. This can be an efficient way for you to link to references for your presentation content.

The process is similar to that of adding a link to an excel file. Here’s what you need to do –

You have to first select a text or image and then “Right Click” on it. Click on the “Link” option from the context menu. Alternatively, you can press the “Ctrl+K” keys on your keyboard.

Step-2: Click on “Browse for File”

In the “Insert Hyperlink” dialog, click on the “Browse for File” option which is the icon that looks like a folder. It will open the “Link to File” dialog.

Step-3: Click on “Search This PC”

In the “Link to File” dialog box, click on the “Search This PC” option and type in the name of the PDF file you want to link.

Then select the PDF file and click on the “Open” button at the bottom of the dialog box. This will hyperlink the PDF file to the presentation.

11. How to Open a Hyperlink in PowerPoint?

To open a hyperlink, “Right Click” on the hyperlink text or image. From the dropdown menu click on the “Open Link” option. This will open the hyperlink in a new window.

Alternatively, you can press down the “Ctrl” key on your keyboard and click on the hyperlink text or image simultaneously to open the hyperlink.

Using the keyboard shortcut is more practical in the “Slide Show” screen during a presentation.

12. Hyperlink Not Working in PowerPoint

When inserting or accessing a hyperlink in Microsoft PowerPoint, sometimes, you might run into some issues. For instance, the option to hyperlink a text or image may be greyed out and you may not be able to insert a hyperlink.

These and other issues can be solved quite easily.

12a. Hyperlink is Greyed Out

In the “Insert” menu, you may find that the “Link” option is greyed out. But, this problem can be easily fixed! Here’s what you need to do –

Step-1: Click on the “Insert” tab

In the open PowerPoint presentation, click on the “Insert” tab in the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen. In the “Links” section of the “Insert” menu, you will notice that the “Link” option is greyed out.

Step-2: Click on an object

The “Link” option is usually greyed out because there are no objects selected yet. In Microsoft PowerPoint, you cannot insert a hyperlink to a slide. You can only insert hyperlinks to an object.

To be able to insert a hyperlink, all you have to do is click on any object in the open slide. You will now see that the “Link” option is no longer grayed out, and you can click on it.

12b. Hyperlink in PowerPoint is Not Clickable

After inserting a hyperlink in a PowerPoint presentation, you will notice that the hyperlink is not clickable. This is because you cannot click on the hyperlink in “Normal View” .

In Microsoft PowerPoint, “Normal View” is the default view where you can edit the slides. You can fix this problem in 3 easy methods.

Method-1: Click on “Ctrl+Save”

In the “Normal View” , you cannot open a hyperlink with a click. Instead, you have to press the “Ctrl” key on your keyboard and click on the hyperlink simultaneously. This will allow you to access the link.

Method-2: Click on the “Slide Show” tab

In the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen, click on the “Slide Show” tab. Then click on the “From Current Slide” option in the “Slide Show” menu.

Alternatively, you can press the “Shift+F5” keys on your keyboard. This will start the slideshow where the hyperlink is clickable.

Method-3: Click on the “Reading View” option

In the menu ribbon, click on the “View” tab. Then click on the “Reading View” option from the “Presentation Views” section (as shown in the image in method 2 above).

For the shortcut, all you have to do is click on the “Reading View” option which is the icon that looks like an open book in the status bar located at the bottom of the screen.

This will open the reading view screen where the hyperlinks are clickable.

Credit to cookie_studio (on Freepik) for the featured image of this article (further edited)

How to Hyperlink in PowerPoint (Insert, Remove or Edit Links)

Insert and Manage Links or Hyperlinks to Create Interactive PowerPoint Presentations

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated October 14, 2022

Applies to: Microsoft ® PowerPoint ® 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 365 (Windows)

You can easily add links or hyperlinks in PowerPoint presentations to add interactivity and make it easy for users to click a button or link to jump to another slide in your deck, to another presentation, to an Excel file or to a web site. You can edit hyperlinks at any time and remove hyperlinks if necessary. In PowerPoint, hyperlinks become active when you run a slide show (normally by clicking the Slide Show button on the bottom right of the screen). In newer versions of PowerPoint, the term link is used as an alternative to hyperlink (although the dialog box displays Hyperlink).

Hyperlinks can be displayed as full source URLs or internet addresses such as http://abccompany.ca, as descriptive text, as an image or as a shape.

In this article, we'll be using the Link or Hyperlink command to insert hyperlinks, not Action Settings (an alternative method for adding hyperlinks).

Recommended article: How to Crop a Picture in PowerPoint (4 Ways)

Do you want to learn more about PowerPoint? Check out our virtual classroom or in-person classroom PowerPoint courses >

Insert a text hyperlink

If you select text and use it as a hyperlink on a PowerPoint slide, it appears underlined and in a color (normally blue) and coordinates with the color theme in your document. The text color changes automatically after you click hyperlink text in a slide show (again based on color theme settings). Shapes or images with hyperlinks do not change color.

Insert a hyperlink to a slide in the current presentation

To insert a link or hyperlink to a slide in the current presentation:

• In Normal View or Slide Master View, select the text, shape or image you want to use as a hyperlink. If you are using a shape that contains text, click its edge.
• Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
• In the Links group, click Link or Hyperlink. You can also press Ctrl + K. The Edit Hyperlink dialog appears.
• Under Link to, select Place in This Document.
• Under Select a place in this document, select the slide you'd like to link to.
• If you are using a text hyperlink, enter the descriptive text that will become the link text in the Text to display box (if necessary).
• Click Slide Show on the bottom right of the screen to run your slide show. You can also press Shift + F5.
• Click the link to test it.
• Press ESC to exit the slide show.

Below is the Edit Hyperlink dialog box with a link to another slide in the current presentation:

Insert a hyperlink to another PowerPoint presentation

To insert a link or hyperlink to another PowerPoint presentation:

• Under Link to, select Existing File or Web Page.
• Click Browse (yellow file folder icon).
• Navigate to the other presentation and double-click it.

Below is the Edit Hyperlink dialog box with a link to another presentation:

Insert a hyperlink to an Excel workbook

To insert a link or hyperlink to an Excel workbook:

• Navigate to the Excel workbook and double-click it.

Below is the Edit Hyperlink dialog box with a link to an Excel workbook:

Use relative or absolute addresses to external files

If you are creating hyperlinks to external files such as another PowerPoint presentation or an Excel workbook, it's important to understand the difference between a relative and absolute address. A relative hyperlink uses the address relative to the address of the containing document whereas an absolute hyperlink uses the full address of the destination document including the drive location.

The following example uses an absolute hyperlink address (full path address):

C:\Documents\January\Budget.docx

The following relative hyperlink contains only the relative address or path to a Budget document in the same folder as the presentation.

January\Budget.docx

You may want to use a relative hyperlink address or path if you want to move or to copy your files to another location such as another server.

Insert a hyperlink to a web site

To insert a link or hyperlink to a web site:

• In the Address box, enter the web address or url. You can also copy the web address from a browser or select from the drop-down menu of recent web sites.

Below is the Edit Hyperlink dialog box with a link to a web site:

Create a hyperlink using the context menu

Another method of creating or editing hyperlinks is to right-click and use the context menu (you can also press Shift + F10 to display the context menu).

To insert a hyperlink using the context menu:

• Right-click and choose Link or Hyperlink from the dropd-down menu and then select Insert Hyperlink or Insert Link. The hyperlink dialog appears.
• Select the appropriate option under Link to. If you are creating an external link to a webpage or another document, select Existing File or Web Page. If you are creating an internal link within the document, select Place in This Document.
• In the address field, enter or choose the address or location where the link should lead. For external references, enter or copy the URL in the Address field. For place in the same document, select the appropriate item.

Jump to a hyperlink location

Hyperlinks become active when you run a slide show or save your presentation as a PDF (portable document format). Simply click the hyperlink to jump to the hyperlink location.

Edit a hyperlink

To edit a hyperlink:

• In Normal View or Slide Master View, right-click the hyperlink and select Edit Hyperlink or Edit Link from the drop-down menu. The Hyperlink dialog box appears.
• Select the desired options.

You can also select a hyperlink and press Ctrl + K to edit it.

Create a screen tip

You can also create a screen tip that will pop up when you hover over a hyperlink during a slide show.

To create a screen tip for an existing hyperlink:

• In Normal View or Slide Master View, right-click the hyperlink.and select Edit Hyperlink or Edit Link from the drop-down menu. The Edit Hyperlink dialog box appears.
• Click ScreenTip (on the top right). A dialog box appears.
• Enter a screen tip.
• Click OK twice.

Remove a hyperlink

To remove a hyperlink:

• In Normal View or Slide Master View, right-click the hyperlink you want to remove.
• In the context menu, select Remove Hyperlink or Remove Link.

Hyperlinks can add a new dimension of interactivity to your decks and when a PowerPoint file is saved as a PDF, they become active hyperlinks.

Subscribe to get more articles like this one

Did you find this article helpful? If you would like to receive new articles, JOIN our email list.

More resources

How to Insert Slide Numbers in PowerPoint

How to Use the Built-in Laser Pointer in PowerPoint (with Shortcuts)

How to Cut a Shape Out of an Image in PowerPoint (Mask a Picture)

How to Remove the Background of an Image  in PowerPoint (2 Ways)

How to Break, Update or Change Links to Excel Charts or Worksheets in PowerPoint

Related courses

Microsoft PowerPoint: Intermediate / Advanced

Microsoft PowerPoint: Design for Non-Designers

Microsoft PowerPoint: Animations Bootcamp

Microsoft PowerPoint: Accessible PowerPoint Presentations

VIEW MORE COURSES >

Our instructor-led courses are delivered in virtual classroom format or at our downtown Toronto location at 18 King Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (some in-person classroom courses may also be delivered at an alternate downtown Toronto location). Contact us at [email protected] if you'd like to arrange custom instructor-led virtual classroom or onsite training on a date that's convenient for you.

Copyright 2024 Avantix ® Learning

You may also like

How to Insert or Type I with an Accent Mark in Word (Í, í, Ì, ì, Î, î, Ï, or ï)

You can insert or type i with an accent mark in Word using built-in tools or keyboard shortcuts (including Alt code shortcuts). The letter i can be inserted with an accent in both upper or lower case. The following are common accents in upper or lower case – Í, í, Ì, ì, Î, î, Ï, or ï.

How to Insert or Type A with an Accent Mark in Word (À, Á, Â, Ä, à, á, â, or ä)

You can insert or type a with an accent mark in Word using built-in tools or keyboard shortcuts (including Alt code shortcuts). The letter a can be inserted with an accent in both upper or lower case. The following are common accents in upper or lower case – À, Á, Â, Ä, à, á, â, or ä.

10 Word Shortcuts to Select Text Using a Keyboard

You can use several shortcuts in Word to select text in your documents using only your keyboard. When you select text, it will typically be highlighted in grey. After you select text, you can cut, copy, or delete the selected text or apply character or paragraph formatting.

Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, Microsoft Office and related Microsoft applications and logos are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in Canada, US and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of the registered owners.

Avantix Learning |18 King Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5C 1C4 | Contact us at [email protected]

Our Courses

Avantix Learning courses are offered online in virtual classroom format or as in-person classroom training. Our hands-on, instructor-led courses are available both as public scheduled courses or on demand as a custom training solution.

All Avantix Learning courses include a comprehensive course manual including tips, tricks and shortcuts as well as sample and exercise files.

VIEW COURSES  >

Contact us at  [email protected]  for more information about any of our courses or to arrange custom training.

Privacy Overview

Pin it on pinterest.

• Print Friendly

Home Blog PowerPoint Tutorials How to Create an Hyperlink in PowerPoint and Google Slides

How to Create an Hyperlink in PowerPoint and Google Slides

Hyperlinks are an interactive feature in PowerPoint and Google Slides. 

Some information in your slides will come in  hyperlinks  or  links.  This guide will show you how to create a hyperlink in PowerPoint to reference  web pages, images, e-mails, a current slide in your document,  and other files you wish to include in your presentation.

How to Insert Hyperlink in PowerPoint

You can use hyperlinks with PowerPoint   to access information conveniently. In PowerPoint, you can link web pages, images, e-mails, existing files ,  or even another   slide in your presentation.

Creating Hyperlinks for Web Pages in PowerPoint

With this feature, you can embed URLs that lead your audience directly to relevant online resources. Whether you’re citing a source, linking to further reading, or showcasing your organization’s website, this functionality adds an interactive dimension to your presentation. Not only does this increase engagement, but it also provides your audience with a tool to delve deeper into the subject matter at their own convenience.

Here is the step-by-step guide on how to insert hyperlinks to web pages in PowerPoint:

1. On your slide, highlight the portion of text you want your hyperlink to be added (the anchor). For shapes like text boxes, click the border of the text box.

2. Next, go to the  Insert   tab. On the  links   group, click  Link.  Alternatively,  right-click ,  and you can also find the  Link  option there.

3. A dialog box will pop up. By default, you’ll see the  Current Folder  tab. On the  Address   portion, insert the link to the web page you want to add.

Important: Your highlighted text will appear in the  Text to Display  bar. For shapes however,  << Selection in Document >>  will appear.

4. Select  OK .

5. Check by clicking the word or shape and see if it leads to the web page.

Link Images in PowerPoint and Other Files

The ability to link images and other files in PowerPoint adds a layer of interactivity to your presentations. Imagine presenting a new product design , and with one click on an image, you open up a detailed specification document. Or perhaps you’re conducting a seminar presentation , and a click on an infographic leads to an in-depth report. By linking images to other files in PowerPoint, you can create presentations that aren’t just linear journeys, but immersive experiences that invite exploration. This can transform your PowerPoint decks from static PowerPoint slideshows into dynamic presentations, where every image and file link can become a gateway to deeper understanding and engagement.

Here is how to link images in PowerPoint:

1. Highlight the word or object in the slide that you want to link images or files into.

2. Right-click and select Link.

Important: If you hover on the right arrow, you can also see the Recent Items that you’ve linked.

3. Use the Look in search bar to quickly locate your image or file on your computer. You can also link videos , word documents , excel files, and even your recent presentations .

4. Once found, the file path of your image or file will appear on the Address bar .

5. Finally, click OK.

6. Check by hovering your cursor over the hyperlink . You should see the file path of your image/file. Also, click to see if it works properly.

Link to a Slide within your Presentation

The ability to link to a specific slide within your PowerPoint presentation can enhance your presentations, turning a linear slide sequence into an interactive presentation.

This feature can be particularly useful in scenarios where you’d like to refer back to earlier information or skip to specific topics based on audience responses. For instance, during a Q&A session , you could instantaneously jump back to a relevant slide to clarify a point, or in a business proposal, you could navigate directly to sections that interest your stakeholders the most.

The functionality encourages engagement and facilitates a more conversational style of presentation, adapting to your audience’s needs and interests in real-time.

You can link slides in your PowerPoint presentation using two ways :

• via the Action buttons (Shapes)
• through Links .

Both can be found in the Insert Ribbon.

Link a Slide via Action Buttons (Shapes)

1. From the Insert tab, click Shapes . Scroll at the bottom to find the Action buttons . Pick a design that will fit the action you want to perform. 

2. After selecting, left-click and drag your mouse to draw out the Action button. When done, a dialog box will appear.

3. Enable the Hyperlink option by clicking the button next to it, then choose the appropriate action that you’ll run.

Important: You can also run programs with your action button by enabling the Run program option. Click Browse to search for the program you want to run.

4. Click OK when done.

Link a Slide via Object Anchor

1. Click the object you want to insert the hyperlink into.

2. Go to the Insert tab and click Link .

3. From the main tabs, click Place in This Document . An outline of your presentation will show up. Select the slide you want to be linked to the object.

4. Click OK.

Creating Hyperlinks for an Email Address

Incorporating hyperlinks for email addresses in your PowerPoint presentations can foster more immediate engagement from your audience.

By clicking on the hyperlinked email address present in your presentation slides, your audience members can easily draft an email to the specified address, eliminating the need for them to manually enter it or using copy & paste. This can be especially useful in scenarios where you want to encourage questions, feedback, or follow-up correspondence. For example, during a webinar or virtual presentation , you might link your email address to invite questions after the session. Or perhaps, in a business proposal or report, you could link the email addresses of key team members to facilitate direct communication.

Here is how to insert an hyperlink for an email address in PowerPoint:

1. Highlight the word or phrase you want to link an E-mail address into.

2. Right-click and select Link . From the main tabs, select E-mail Address .

3. Fill out the empty E-mail address and Subject fields. You can also see your recently used E-mail addresses in the box below.

How to Insert Hyperlinks in Google Slides

In Google Slides, hyperlinks are also called Links . You can use them to link a webpage, a file in your Google Drive, or a slide in your presentation .

Link a Web Page using Link

1. Open your presentation in Google Slides.

2. Select the object you want to link the web page into. For a word or phrase, highlight the necessary parts.

3. Go to Insert then click Link . Alternatively, right-click and select Link from the options.

Important: You can easily access this feature by pressing Ctrl+K on Windows and Cmd+K on Mac.

4. On the search bar, paste your web page link. Then select Apply.

Link a Slide in your Google Slides Presentation

Whether you’re an educator providing additional resources for further learning, a marketer directing audiences to a specific webpage, or a business professional linking to data files for more in-depth analysis, the hyperlink feature in Google Slides can help to improve your presentations, making them more interactive. You could even link to different slides within the presentation, creating a non-linear, interactive experience that lets the viewer explore the content in a way that best suits their needs. This functionality can also facilitate seamless collaboration by linking to other documents or slideshows within the Google Workspace. You can also use buttons in your Google Slides presentations and configure hyperlinks to navigate to different slides or to open external resources.

By effectively using hyperlinks in Google Slides, you can create a rich, interconnected presentation that fully utilizes the benefits of the digital medium.

How to insert an hyperlink with Google Slides? Here is how to:

1. Select the object/phrase you want your slide or file to be linked to.

2. Right-click and click Link. On the bottom of the dialog box, click Slides in this presentation.

3. Choose where your slide is located from the options. You can also pick the next, previous, first, and last slides.

4. Enter the file name in the search bar for files in your Drive.

5. Check by clicking on the object/phrase if it navigates to the correct slide/file.

Final Thoughts

Those are all the methods to follow when using hyperlinks or links in your presentations. It’s a great feature to make your slides look complete and connected. Note that the formatting of the word or phrase may look different when inserting a link to it, but don’t worry as it can be easily adjusted.

Like this article? Please share

Google Slides, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips Filed under PowerPoint Tutorials

Related Articles

Filed under Google Slides Tutorials • May 3rd, 2024

How to Work with Google Slides Version History

Go back to previous changes or check who edited your presentation. Learn how to work with Google Slides Version History here.

Filed under Google Slides Tutorials • April 29th, 2024

Best Google Slides Add-Ons

Optimize your Google Slides experience by installing the best Google Slides add-ons available in the market. Full list with photos.

Filed under Google Slides Tutorials • April 26th, 2024

How to Print Multiple Slides on One Page in Google Slides

Discover how to print multiple slides on one page in Google Slides to optimize your presentation handouts.

Leave a Reply

How-To Geek

How to link from one powerpoint presentation to another.

Don't waste time creating slides for a presentation when they already exist in another. Just link to them!

Linking two presentations together allows you to save time by using already-existing slides. The transition is almost seamless, giving it the illusion of one single presentation. Here's how to link PowerPoint presentations together.

Before we get started, note that both presentations need to be in the same folder to link them together. Moving or renaming the second file after the link has been created will cause the slide to break.

Linking two presentations together isn't magic, but it’s as simple as inserting and clicking a hyperlink. What this trick does is allows you to insert a link within an object or text from presentation A that brings you to a specific slide of presentation B while still in presentation mode.

Once you’ve opened the first presentation and have navigated to the slide in which you will be linking from, select the text or object where you want to place the hyperlink.

If you haven't already inserted an object, you can do so by selecting any of the options in the "Images" or "Illustrations" group of the "Insert" tab, and then selecting the object you'd like to insert.

Related: How to Insert a Picture or Other Object in Microsoft Office

Once selected, head over to the “Links” group of the “Insert” tab and select “Action."

Now you’ll be at the “Action Settings” menu. Here, select the “Hyperlink To” option. Once selected, you’ll be able to open the drop-down menu underneath it. Do so, and then select “Other PowerPoint Presentation."

Once you select that option, File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) will open. Here, select the presentation you would like to link to. Click the "OK" button.

Next, you'll be greeted with a list of the slides from the presentation you're linking to. Select the slide that you'd like to go to and click "OK."

You’ll now notice the file path of the second presentation appears under the “Hyperlink To” box. Once you’re ready, select the "OK" button.

Your hyperlink will now be inserted in the selected text or object. To ensure it inserted correctly, you can hover your mouse over the text or object and the file path will appear.

If you want to double-check that you pointed to the correct presentation, you can press the Ctrl key while clicking the link to follow it.

Now, when you play the PowerPoint in presentation mode, simply clicking the hyperlinked text or object to give you a seamless transition from the first presentation to the second.

Contribute to the Microsoft 365 and Office forum! Click  here  to learn more  💡

April 9, 2024

Contribute to the Microsoft 365 and Office forum!

Click  here  to learn more  💡

PowerPoint Forum Top Contributors: Steve Rindsberg  -  John Korchok  -  Bob Jones AKA: CyberTaz   ✅

May 10, 2024

PowerPoint Forum Top Contributors:

Steve Rindsberg  -  John Korchok  -  Bob Jones AKA: CyberTaz   ✅

• Search the community and support articles
• Microsoft 365 and Office
• Search Community member

Ask a new question

How to get hyperlink to work in Powerpoint whilst creating in Onedrive?

I'm trying to use links/hyperlinks in my Powerpoint presentation when creating/editing/saving on Onedrive yet the option isn't available.(it is greyed out, unable to be clicked). However, if I create the same Powerpoint in the application itself on my computer it works. Any ideas how to make it functional whilst using Onedrive, as it's not sustainable to keep large files on my computer?Screen shot of what it looks like when I try to link on Onedrive.

• Subscribe to RSS feed

Report abuse

Reported content has been submitted​

There is no way to make a program do something it isn't designed to include. This is particularly true with the abbreviated online web apps which don't even support VBA.

1 person found this reply helpful

Was this reply helpful? Yes No

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

Thanks for your feedback.

Replies (2) 

Question info.

• For education
• Norsk Bokmål
• Ελληνικά
• Русский
• עברית
• العربية
• ไทย
• 한국어
• 中文(简体)
• 中文(繁體)
• 日本語

Google Slides

How to Hyperlink in Google Slides?

Table of Contents

A hyperlink is like a clickable link that takes you to another document, webpage, or even a specific part of a presentation. Adding hyperlinks to your Google Slides presentation can provide your audience with additional information on the topic.

Many presentation designers like using hyperlinks because it keeps the presentation clean and organized, without showing long URLs that might distract from the content. In this guide, you’ll learn how to easily insert hyperlinks into your Google Slides presentations. Without waiting further, let’s get started.

Types of Hyperlinks in Google Slides

Here are the different types of Hyperlinks users can create in Google Slides:

• External Websites: The most common type, you can link text, images, or shapes to any relevant web page, allowing viewers to explore more information online.
• Internal Navigation: Link to another slide within your presentation, either by number or by selecting the slide itself. This helps guide viewers to specific sections or create a non-linear flow.
• Google Drive Documents: Link directly to a relevant document stored in your Drive, giving viewers easy access to additional details or reference materials without leaving the presentation.

Create Hyperlinks in Google Slides: Different Methods

There are four different methods to add hyperlinks in your Google Slides presentation: 

• From the Menu:  This method involves using the “Insert” menu option.
• Right-Click Menu:  You can also add hyperlinks by right-clicking on the element and selecting “Link”.
• Keyboard Shortcut:  For a quicker approach, use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl + K” (Windows) or “Cmd + K” (Mac). 
• Toolbar Button:  Look for the “Insert Link” button on the toolbar for another way to add hyperlinks. 

Let’s take a closer look at how these methods function below. 

Method 1: Add Hyperlinks in Google Slides Menu

Step 1:  Select your slide and content : Open the Google Slides presentation and navigate to the slide where you want to add the hyperlink. Choose the text or object you want viewers to click on.

Step 2:  Insert the hyperlin k: Go to the top menu bar and click “Insert,” then select “Link.” A dialog box will appear.

Step 3:   Paste the link and apply : Paste the web address (URL) you want to link to in the provided field. Once done, click “Apply” to finalize the hyperlink.

Method 2: Add Hyperlinks with a Right-Click in Google Slides

Step 1:    Select the Text: Start by highlighting the text you want to turn into a link.

Step 2:   Right-Click and Link Up: Next, right-click on the selected text and choose “Link” from the menu.

Step 3:   Paste and Apply: A dialog box will appear. Paste the web address (URL) you want to link to in the provided field, and then click “Apply” to create the hyperlink.

Method 3: Use Shortcut Keys for Hyperlinking in Google Slides

Step 1:    Select Your Target: Begin by highlighting the text or object you want to turn into a link.

Step 2:   Using the Keyboard Shortcut: Press “Ctrl+K” on Windows or “Cmd+K” on Mac to bring up the hyperlink dialog box.

Step 3:   Paste and Apply: Paste the web address (URL) you want to link to in the designated field, and then click “Apply” to create the hyperlink.

Method 4: Add Hyperlinks by Using a Toolba r

Step 1:    Choose Your Target: Begin by selecting the element (text, image, shape) you want to turn into a hyperlink.

Step 2:   Click the Link Icon: Go to the toolbar and find the “Insert Link” icon (it might look like a chain). Click on it.

Step 3:   Enter Your URL: A dialog box will appear with a blank field. Paste the web address (URL) you want to link to in this field.

Step 4:   Apply the Link: Click the “Apply” button to create the hyperlink.

Create presentation slides with AI in Seconds in Google Slides

10M+ Installs

Works with Google Slides

How to Link a Specific Slide using Hyperlink?

Step 1:    Choose Your Target: Select the object or text on the slide that you want to act as the hyperlink.

Step 2:   Insert the Link: Click “Insert” in the toolbar and choose “Link.”

Step 3:   Navigate to Your Slide: In the link menu, select “Slides in this presentation” and then choose the slide you want to link to.

Step 4:   Apply the Hyperlink:  Click “Apply” to finalize the hyperlink.  Now, clicking the object or text will jump to the chosen slide during your presentation.

How to Edit a Hyperlink In Google Slides?

Step 1:  Right-click on the hyperlink you want to change.

Step 2:  Choose the option you want: “Edit Link” to modify the destination, or “Remove Link” to break the connection. 

Closing Thoughts

Adding hyperlinks to your Google Slides presentations can significantly enhance the audience’s experience. By incorporating hyperlinks, you can provide viewers with additional resources, improve navigation within your presentation, and keep your slides clean and organized.

• No design skills required
• 3 presentations/month free
• Don’t need to learn a new software

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should i use hyperlinks in my google slides presentation.

Hyperlinks can significantly enhance your Google Slides presentation. They enable interactivity, making your presentation engaging and informative. You can use them to navigate lengthy presentations, cite sources, facilitate collaboration, and add visual appeal. In essence, hyperlinks make your presentation more interactive and dynamic, catering to various learning preferences.

How do I remove a hyperlink in Google Slides?

To remove a hyperlink, simply select the linked text or object, right-click, and choose “Remove link” from the context menu.

Are there any limitations to the types of URLs I can hyperlink in Google Slides?

Google Slides supports hyperlinks to various types of URLs, including webpages, Google Drive files, and email addresses.

How can I test if my hyperlinks are working correctly before a presentation?

You can test your hyperlinks by entering presentation mode and clicking on each hyperlink to verify that it directs you to the intended destination.

Can I use hyperlinks in Google Slides when presenting offline?

Hyperlinks in Google Slides require an internet connection to function properly. However, you can download your presentation for offline use, but the hyperlinks may not work until you reconnect to the internet.

Can I hyperlink images in Google Slides?

Absolutely! You can follow the same steps mentioned above to hyperlink images in your presentation.

Save Time and Effortlessly Create Presentations with SlidesAI

• Draft and add content
• Rewrite text
• Chat with Copilot
• Create a summary
• Copilot in Word on mobile devices
• Frequently asked questions
• Create a new presentation
• Add a slide or image
• Summarize your presentation
• Organize your presentation
• Use your organization's branding
• Copilot in PowerPoint for mobile devices
• Draft an Outlook email message
• Summarize an email thread
• Suggested drafts in Outlook
• Email coaching
• Get started with Copilot in Excel
• Identify insights
• Highlight, sort, and filter your data
• Generate formula columns
• Summarize your OneNote notes
• Create a to-do list and tasks
• Create project plans in OneNote

Create a new presentation with Copilot in PowerPoint

Note:  This feature is available to customers with a Copilot for Microsoft 365 license or Copilot Pro license.

Create a new presentation in PowerPoint.

Select Send . Copilot will draft a presentation for you!

Edit the presentation to suit your needs, ask Copilot to add a slide , or start over with a new presentation and refine your prompt to include more specifics. For example, "Create a presentation about hybrid meeting best practices that includes examples for team building.”

Create a presentation with a template

Note:  This feature is only available to customers with a Copilot for Microsoft 365 (work) license. It is not currently available to customers with a Copilot Pro (home) license.

Copilot can use your existing themes and templates to create a presentation. Learn more about making your presentations look great with Copilot in PowerPoint .

Enter your prompt or select Create presentation from file to create a first draft of your presentation using your theme or template.

Edit the presentation to suit your needs, ask Copilot to add a slide , organize your presentation, or add images.

Create a presentation from a file with Copilot

Note:  This feature is only available to customers with a Copilot for Microsoft 365 (work) license. It is not currently available to customers with a Copilot Pro (home) license.

With Copilot in PowerPoint, you can create a presentation from an existing Word document. Point Copilot in PowerPoint to your Word document, and it will generate slides, apply layouts, create speaker notes, and choose a theme for you.

Select the Word document you want from the picker that appears. If you don't see the document you want, start typing any part of the filename to search for it.

Note:  If the file picker doesn't appear type a front slash (/) to cause it to pop up.

Best practices when creating a presentation from a Word document

Leverage word styles to help copilot understand the structure of your document.

By using Styles in Word to organize your document, Copilot will better understand your document structure and how to break it up into slides of a presentation. Structure your content under Titles and Headers when appropriate and Copilot will do its best to generate a presentation for you.

Include images that are relevant to your presentation

When creating a presentation, Copilot will try to incorporate the images in your Word document. If you have images that you would like to be brought over to your presentation, be sure to include them in your Word document.

Start with your organization’s template

If your organization uses a standard template, start with this file before creating a presentation with Copilot. Starting with a template will let Copilot know that you would like to retain the presentation’s theme and design. Copilot will use existing layouts to build a presentation for you. Learn more about Making your presentations look great with Copilot in PowerPoint .

Tip:  Copilot works best with Word documents that are less than 24 MB.

Welcome to Copilot in PowerPoint

Frequently Asked Questions about Copilot in PowerPoint

Where can I get Microsoft Copilot?

Copilot Lab - Start your Copilot journey

Need more help?

Want more options.

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Microsoft 365 subscription benefits

Microsoft 365 training

Microsoft security

Accessibility center

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

Ask the Microsoft Community

Microsoft Tech Community

Windows Insiders

Microsoft 365 Insiders

Find solutions to common problems or get help from a support agent.

Online support

Was this information helpful?

Thank you for your feedback.