The fastest way to add a link in Google Docs

To add a link in Google Docs, highlight the text you want to turn into a link, then press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac). A small box will appear asking for the web address. Paste or type the full URL — for example, https://www.example.com — and press Enter. The text is now a clickable link.

If you want to link to a heading or bookmark within the same document, click the link box dropdown and select "Heading" or "Bookmark" instead of pasting a web address. This is useful when your document is long and you want readers to jump to a specific section.

You can also add a link without highlighting text first. Place your cursor where you want the link, press Ctrl+K or Cmd+K, type or paste the URL, and press Enter. Google Docs will create a link using the web address itself as the visible text.

Key Takeaways

  • Highlight text, press Ctrl+K or Cmd+K, paste the URL, and press Enter to turn any text into a clickable link.
  • You can link to headings or bookmarks within your own document by selecting those options from the link dropdown instead of pasting a web address.
  • Right-click any link to edit, remove, or open it in a new tab without leaving your document.
  • Links in Google Docs work the same way whether you share the document as a view-only file or allow editing — readers can click them in either case.

Editing or removing a link you've already added

To change a link after you've created it, click anywhere on the linked text. A small preview box will pop up showing the URL. Click the pencil icon to edit, or click the trash icon to remove the link entirely. Removing a link keeps the text — it just stops being clickable.

If you want to change what text appears but keep the same URL, highlight the text and press Ctrl+K or Cmd+K again. The link box will open with the current URL already filled in. You can now edit the text around it or change the URL itself.

Linking to files stored in Google Drive

Google Docs makes it straightforward to link to other files in your Google Drive — documents, spreadsheets, presentations, or folders. Highlight your text, press Ctrl+K or Cmd+K, and instead of pasting a web address, start typing the name of the file you want to link to. Google Docs will show you a list of matching files from your Drive.

Click the file you want, and Google Docs will automatically create a link to it. When someone clicks that link, they'll open the file directly — no need to hunt through folders. This works even if you share the document with people who don't have the file in their own Drive yet; Google Docs will prompt them to request access if they need it.

What happens when you share a document with links

Links in Google Docs stay active when you share the document, whether you give people view-only access or let them edit. Readers can click any link to open the URL in a new tab. If a link points to another Google file, clicking it will open that file in a new tab as well.

If you link to a file that requires permission to view, the person clicking the link will see a message asking them to request access. They won't be able to see the file's contents until the owner approves. This is useful if you want to reference a file without automatically giving everyone access to it.

Adding links from the menu instead of keyboard shortcuts

If keyboard shortcuts don't work for you, you can add a link through the menu. Highlight the text you want to link, then click Insert at the top of the document and select Link. The same link box will appear, and you can paste your URL or search for a file in Google Drive.

This method takes a few more clicks than the keyboard shortcut, but it works the same way. Some people find it easier to remember, especially if they rarely use keyboard shortcuts in other programs.

Links that point to email addresses

You can create a link that opens someone's email program when clicked. Highlight your text, press Ctrl+K or Cmd+K, and type mailto: followed by the email address with no space — for example, mailto:person@example.com. When someone clicks that link, their default email program will open with a new message addressed to that person.

This is useful in documents you share with a team when you want readers to contact someone without having to copy and paste an address. The link won't send an email by itself; it just opens the email program ready to compose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see all the links in my document at once?

Yes. Click Tools at the top, then select Explore. A panel will open on the right side showing all links in your document. You can click any link in that panel to jump to it or to see where it appears in the document.

What if a link I added isn't working?

Check that the URL is complete and correct — it should start with http:// or https://. If you're linking to a Google file, make sure the file still exists and hasn't been deleted. If the link points to a website that no longer exists, the link will appear broken when someone tries to click it.

Do links show up differently in printed documents?

When you print a Google Doc, links appear as regular text in the color you've set for links (usually blue and underlined). The URL itself doesn't print. If you need readers to see the actual web address, you can type it in parentheses next to the linked text.

Can I change the color of links in my document?

Yes. Select a linked word, then click the text color button in the toolbar (the "A" with a colored line under it). Choose your color, and that link will change. To change all links at once, use Format > Styles > Normal text > Update "Normal text" to match, then adjust the link color in the style settings.