The hyperlink shortcut key is Ctrl + K. Select the text you want to make clickable, press Ctrl + K, paste or type the web address, and press Enter. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook all handle it identically. On a Mac, press Command + K.
Pressing Ctrl + K on an existing link opens it for editing. To turn a link back into plain text in Word, select it and press Ctrl + Shift + F9.
Quick facts
Insert link
Ctrl + KEdit link
Ctrl + K on the linkRemove link (Word)
Ctrl + Shift + F9Open link (Word)
Ctrl + clickUndo auto link
Ctrl + ZMac
Command + K
Hyperlink shortcut key in Office programs
| Program | Insert | Remove |
|---|---|---|
| Word | Ctrl + K | Ctrl + Shift + F9 or right click, Remove Hyperlink |
| Excel | Ctrl + K | Right click, Remove Hyperlink |
| PowerPoint | Ctrl + K | Right click, Remove Link |
| Outlook | Ctrl + K | Right click, Remove Hyperlink |
| Mac Office | Command + K | Right click, Remove |
How to insert a hyperlink with Ctrl + K
- Copy the web address from the browser.
- In your document, select the words that should become the link, such as Apply here.
- Press Ctrl + K. The Insert Hyperlink box opens with the cursor in the Address field.
- Paste with Ctrl + V and press Enter. The words turn blue and underlined.
Descriptive link text such as Download the form is better than a long raw address, both for readers and for printed copies. Screen reader users also hear the link text, so meaningful words help them too.
Link to a place in the same document
In the Insert Hyperlink box, choose Place in This Document on the left. In Word you can link to headings and bookmarks; in Excel to any sheet or cell. This builds a clickable table of contents in a long report or an index sheet in a workbook. The hyperlink in Excel guide shows the Excel side in detail.
Open, edit and remove links
In Word, links open with Ctrl and a click, which stops you jumping to a website by accident while editing. In Excel and PowerPoint a normal click opens them. To edit, put the cursor on the link and press Ctrl + K. To remove every link in a Word document, press Ctrl + A and then Ctrl + Shift + F9; the text stays, only the links go.
When the hyperlink shortcut does not work
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + K does nothing | Click inside the document first |
| Link opens with a normal click in Word | Turn on Use Ctrl + Click to follow hyperlink in Word Options, Advanced |
| Link does not work for others | It points to a file on your own computer; use a shared or web link |
| Ctrl + K in a browser focuses search | Browsers use Ctrl + K differently; it is not a link key there |
Frequently asked questions
What is the hyperlink shortcut key?
How do I remove a hyperlink in Word?
Select it and press Ctrl + Shift + F9.
How do I edit an existing hyperlink?
Click in it and press Ctrl + K.
Why do I need Ctrl + click to open links in Word?
Word protects you from opening links by accident while editing.
Does Ctrl + K work in Excel?
Yes, it inserts a hyperlink in the selected cell.
Can a hyperlink point to another sheet?
Yes, choose Place in This Document in the link box.