How to Edit a Hyperlink in Word | Change the URL or Display Text

Editing a hyperlink in Word takes seconds: right-click the linked text, choose Edit Hyperlink, and change the address or the visible text in the dialog box.

A single wrong URL can send readers to a dead page or the wrong source altogether. Whether the link broke during an update or you simply typed “contohso” instead of “contoso,” the fix is the same across every modern version of Word. One right-click gets you back in control — and the steps below cover Windows, Mac, and Word Online so nothing stops you.

How to Edit a Hyperlink in Word (Windows)

This works identically in Microsoft 365, Word 2021, Word 2019, and Word 2016.

1. Right-click the text or image that contains the hyperlink.
2. From the shortcut menu, select Edit Hyperlink.
3. In the dialog box, update the URL in the Address field.
4. To change the visible link text, edit the Text to display field.
5. Click OK to save.

That’s the full fix for any desktop version of Word. The same dialog also lets you adjust the hover text by clicking ScreenTip — useful for adding context like “View the official spec sheet.”

The Keyboard Shortcut for Editing Links

If right-clicking feels slow or you prefer the keyboard, the shortcut is faster and works in every desktop version.

• Windows: Select the link and press Ctrl + K.
• Mac: Select the link and press Cmd + K.

Both shortcuts open the same Edit Hyperlink dialog box. Change the address or display text and hit Enter to apply it.

Editing a Hyperlink on a Mac

The Mac version uses the same logic but with a different click method if you don’t have a right-click mouse configured.

1. Control-click (hold the Control key and click) the hyperlink.
2. Select Edit Hyperlink from the menu.
3. Modify the Address or Text to display fields.
4. Click OK.

If you do have a two-button mouse or a right-click gesture enabled on your trackpad, a standard right-click works exactly like it does on Windows.

Editing a Hyperlink in Word Online

Word for the web supports link editing, but with one catch that trips up a lot of users.

1. Right-click the link, or tap and hold on a touchscreen.
2. Select Edit Hyperlink.
3. Update the address and click Save.

The catch: If the document contains tracked changes that haven’t been accepted, the Edit Hyperlink option is grayed out or missing. Accept or reject all pending changes first, then the link becomes editable again. This restriction only applies to Word Online — desktop versions let you edit links even with tracked changes active.

Common Mistakes That Break Links

• Typing a bad URL. A single typo in the Address field sends readers to a 404 page. Always copy the URL from your browser’s address bar and paste it in.
• Accidentally viewing field codes. Pressing Alt + F9 (Windows) toggles between the visual link and its underlying field code (e.g., { HYPERLINK "https://example.com" }). If your document suddenly shows codes instead of links, press Alt + F9 again to switch back.
• Missing the right-click gesture on Mac. A standard click selects the link instead of opening the menu. Use Control-click or configure your mouse for right-click in System Settings.

How to Change the Text Without Changing the Link

Sometimes the URL is correct but the display text needs an update — say, renaming a document title in a citation. In the Edit Hyperlink dialog, simply edit the Text to display field at the top. The address below stays untouched. Clicking OK updates only what the reader sees, not where they go.

What Happens When You Can’t Edit the Link

Word blocks hyperlink editing in a few specific situations. Here’s what to check if the Edit Hyperlink option is missing or grayed out:

• Read-only file. If the document is set to Read-Only or received as an email attachment without editing permissions, save a copy to your drive first and try again.
• Protected document. Information Rights Management (IRM) or restricted-access settings can disable link editing. Check with the document owner.
• Tracked changes (Word Online only). Accept all changes, then edit the link.

Removing a Hyperlink Entirely

Two approaches, both instant:

• Right-click the link and select Remove Hyperlink. The text stays; the link disappears.
• Select the text and press Ctrl + Shift + F9 (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + F9 (Mac). This strips all hyperlinks from the selected text in one keystroke.

The keyboard shortcut is faster when you’re cleaning up multiple links in a document.

Final Hyperlink Editing Checklist

When updating any link in Word, run through these quick checks before moving on:

• The URL starts with the correct scheme (https:// — not missing it).
• The display text matches what readers expect to see.
• Any ScreenTip text (hover tooltip) is accurate if you set one.
• The file is saved after editing so the change persists.

One right-click or one keyboard shortcut is all it takes. Whether you’re fixing a dead link or just correcting a name, the pattern is identical across every version of Word you’re likely to use today.