Highlight the text, shape or picture you want people to click and go to Insert, then Link, then Insert Link. Pick the kind of destination, put it in the Address field and confirm with OK. If all you need is a plain web link, typing the address on the slide and pressing Enter does the job too.
PowerPoint link types and where each one sits
Every kind of hyperlink starts from the same Insert Link dialog. What changes is the option you pick in that box, and the wording shifts a little between Windows and macOS. Here's the map before you start.
| Option | Where you find it | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Existing File or Web Page | Link dialog (Web Page or File on macOS) | Links to a website or a file on your computer |
| Place in This Document | Same dialog (This Document on macOS) | Jumps to another slide in the same deck |
| Create New Document | Same dialog on Windows | Links to another presentation |
| E-mail Address | Same dialog (Email Address on macOS) | Links to an email address with a subject |
| Font Color | Home tab | Recolours the chosen link |
Adding a website link on Windows, step by step
- Select the text, shape or picture that should carry the link.
- Open the Insert tab and select Link.
- Choose Insert Link from the menu that appears.
- Pick Existing File or Web Page.
- Fill in Text to display and, if you like, a ScreenTip.
- Enter the destination under Address.
- Select OK.
Microsoft's help page on adding hyperlinks to slides flags one shortcut worth remembering: the quickest way to get a basic web hyperlink onto a slide is to key in a webpage's address and hit Enter. PowerPoint converts it automatically. Use the dialog when you want friendlier display text.
Doing the same in PowerPoint for the web
The browser version keeps things shorter. Highlight the words, open the Insert tab and pick Link. Fill in the Display text and the Address, then hit Insert. To see it working, open the Slide Show tab, start Play from Beginning and try the link when that slide comes up.
Pointing a link at a slide, another deck or an inbox
Linking inside the same presentation is handy for a contents slide or a clickable agenda. In the dialog, choose Place in This Document (This Document on macOS) and pick the slide you want. Related: how to add slide numbers in PowerPoint.
Pointing viewers at a separate presentation? Windows calls that choice Create New Document, whereas a Mac lists it under Web Page or File. For a mail link, choose E-mail Address and fill in the recipient plus a subject line.
Want links to stand out against your theme? Select the hyperlink, open the Home tab, use the down arrow next to Font Color and choose a new colour. Writing a report alongside the deck? The routine for linking text in Word documents follows a similar pattern.
Where a Mac version of PowerPoint falls short
One Mac limit: PowerPoint for macOS can't link to a specific slide in another presentation. If you build decks on a Mac and rely on jumping to an exact slide, the simplest route is to keep the slides you need inside one presentation and use Place in This Document links instead.
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Slip-ups that leave PowerPoint links broken
- Linking to a file on your computer, then moving the presentation to another machine without the linked files. When you share a presentation, send those files with it.
- Assuming a link works because it looks right: test it in Normal view by right-clicking it and choosing Open Hyperlink.
- Expecting the Show and return box to be clickable. It stays greyed out unless you're linking to a Custom Show in your presentation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add a hyperlink to a picture or shape instead of text?
Yes. Select the object first and follow the same route.
What is a ScreenTip on a PowerPoint link?
An optional field in the Insert Link dialog. Leave it empty if you don't need one.
How do I check a link without starting the slideshow?
Stay in Normal view, right-click it and choose Open Hyperlink.
Why is Show and return greyed out?
That box only becomes available when the link points to a Custom Show.
Does an email link fill in the subject as well?
It can, because the email option has its own subject field.
