How to Use Hyperlinks in PowerPoint

Hyperlinks in PowerPoint allow you to create interactive presentations by linking text,

images, or objects to other slides, external websites, email addresses, or files. This is useful
when you want to provide additional information or navigate to specific sections of the
presentation during the show.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use hyperlinks in PowerPoint:

1. Inserting a Hyperlink to a Website

You can link to external websites, such as articles, resources, or reference materials.

1. Select Text or Object: Highlight the text or click the object (image, shape, etc.) you
want to turn into a hyperlink.
2. Insert Hyperlink:
o Right-click on the selected text or object.
o Choose Link or Hyperlink from the context menu.
o Alternatively, you can go to the Insert tab and click Link in the Links group.
3. Enter URL:
o In the Insert Hyperlink window that appears, under the Address field, type
or paste the URL of the website (e.g., https://www.example.com).
4. Click OK: After entering the URL, click OK. Now, your text or object will be a
clickable hyperlink.

2. Inserting a Hyperlink to Another Slide in the Same Presentation

You can link to a specific slide in your presentation, allowing you to navigate between slides
easily during the presentation.

1. Select Text or Object: Highlight the text or click the object that you want to use as a
hyperlink.
2. Insert Hyperlink:
o Right-click and select Link or Hyperlink.
o Alternatively, go to the Insert tab and click Link.
3. Link to a Slide:
o In the Insert Hyperlink window, on the left, click Place in This Document.
o You will see a list of slides in your presentation.
o Select the slide you want to link to (e.g., Slide 5, Slide 10, etc.).
4. Click OK: After selecting the slide, click OK. Now, your text or object will navigate
directly to the chosen slide when clicked.

3. Inserting a Hyperlink to an Email Address

You can create a hyperlink that opens the user's default email client to send an email.

1. Select Text or Object: Highlight the text or select the object you want to turn into an
email link (e.g., "Email Us").
2. Insert Hyperlink:
o Right-click and select Link or Hyperlink.
o Or go to the Insert tab and click Link.
3. Enter Email Address:
o In the Insert Hyperlink window, in the Address field, type mailto:,
followed by the email address (e.g., mailto:[email protected]).
o You can also add a subject line by typing ?subject=Your%20Subject after
the email address, like this: mailto:[email protected]?subject=Your
%20Subject.
4. Click OK: After entering the email details, click OK. Now, your text or object will
open the default email client when clicked.

4. Inserting a Hyperlink to an External File

You can link to external files such as documents, PDFs, images, or even another PowerPoint
file.

1. Select Text or Object: Highlight the text or click the object you want to use as a
hyperlink.
2. Insert Hyperlink:
o Right-click and choose Link or Hyperlink.
o Or go to the Insert tab and click Link.
3. Browse and Select File:
o In the Insert Hyperlink window, click Existing File or Web Page.
o Browse your computer and select the file you want to link to (e.g., a PDF,
Word document, or another PowerPoint file).
4. Click OK: After selecting the file, click OK. Now, when you click on the text or
object, it will open the linked file.

5. Customizing the Appearance of Hyperlinks

You can change the appearance of your hyperlinks to make them stand out or blend in with
your design.

1. Change Hyperlink Text:

o Highlight the hyperlinked text.
o Use the Home tab to adjust the font, size, color, and style of the hyperlink.
Typically, hyperlinks are blue and underlined by default, but you can
customize them to fit your presentation's design.
2. Remove Underline:
 If you don't want the hyperlink to be underlined, highlight the hyperlinked text
o
and press Ctrl + U (or use the underline button on the ribbon) to remove the
underline.
3. Change Color:
o Right-click the hyperlink text, choose Font, and change the color from the
Font Color dropdown.

6. Testing Your Hyperlinks

Before presenting, you should test all the hyperlinks to ensure they work as expected.

1. Go to Slide Show mode (press F5).

2. Click on the hyperlinked text or object during the slide show to check if it opens the
link (to a webpage, email, slide, or file).
3. If it doesn't work, return to the slide and edit the hyperlink as necessary.

7. Removing Hyperlinks

If you want to remove a hyperlink, you can easily do so:

1. Right-click on the hyperlinked text or object.

2. Select Remove Hyperlink from the context menu.

8. Hyperlinking to Multiple Locations

If you want to create hyperlinks to different sections or slides based on user selection, you
can use Action Settings:

1. Select an Object or Text: Highlight the object or text to hyperlink.

2. Go to the Insert tab and click on Action.
3. In the Action Settings dialog box, choose either:
o Hyperlink to: Link to a specific slide or website.
o Mouse Click: Link when clicked.
o Mouse Over: Link when the mouse hovers over the object.
4. Click OK after setting up the action.

Best Practices for Hyperlinks in PowerPoint

1. Use Descriptive Text: Hyperlink text like "Click here" or "Learn more" should be
descriptive of where the link will take the viewer.
 2. Avoid Overuse: Don’t overuse hyperlinks in a presentation, as they can distract from
the main content.
3. Test Links: Always test hyperlinks to ensure they work correctly, especially if
linking to external websites or files.
4. Consistency: If using hyperlinks for navigation between slides, make sure you keep
the style consistent to avoid confusing your audience.
5. Clear Navigation: When linking to other slides, make it clear to your audience what
they should expect when they click on a hyperlink.

Summary of Hyperlink Types:

Type of
Purpose Example
Link
Website Link to external https://www.example.com
Link websites
Link to another slide in
Slide Link Jump to Slide 3
the same presentation
Email Open email client to mailto:[email protected]?subject=Your%20Subject
Link send an email
Link to external file
File Link Link to presentation.pdf
(e.g., Word, PDF, etc.)
Link to different slides
Custom
or files with mouse Navigate to Slide 5 on click
Actions
click or hover

By using hyperlinks effectively in your PowerPoint presentations, you can create an

interactive, dynamic, and user-friendly experience for your audience.