Make hyperlink codes non-visible

Question

I am using a macbook pro OS 11.5.1 and MS Word for Mac version 16.4

I have a document that has many web addresses (URL) in it. The URLs showed up in blue showing that they were hyperlinks. I have used this document for years with no problem. It may be because I recently upgraded to OS 11.5 from OS 11.4 (and it may be unrelated) but suddenly all the blue text URLs have right above them or before them the same address that reads HYPERLINK with the url in quotes afterward. See attached screenshot.

Why did these appear and how can I get rid of them?

BTW, in Word > Preferences > View > Show in Document > the line "field codes instead of values" is NOT checked now and was never checked before.

Thank for your help.

Answer 1

Mia;

The reason I am using this older version of Word is that with the latest version I was having terrible problems with the Microsoft system not recognizing that I had a license. Microsoft agents did complete remote reinstalls 3 times and could never fix the problem so, in the end, the installed an older version and that took care of the license glitch problem.

This problem does not occur in any new documents. I guess what i am trying to figure out how I can get rid of all these strange additional texts without going around and deleting them manually.

Option+F9 does not seem to do anything with this file.

Answer 2

For the issue document, use Option+F9 and check if it can toggle display of field codes on/off.

Some references:

Switch field codes to results (not text) in word on mac - Microsoft Community

How do I setup my document so that field codes are permanently - Microsoft Community

How to remove code { HYPERLINK... } in Word 2010? - Microsoft Community

remove field codes, bookmarks, cross-references - Microsoft Community

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Hi,

Don't worry, the screenshots helps.

So let's first update Word app on your side, shall we? The Word version is a bit old, and maybe the cause of the issue that had some conflicts with the latest version of MacOS. See: Update Office for Mac automatically - Office Support (microsoft.com)

Then, create a new document in Word 16.52 and see if the same issue will happen.

Let me know if the issue even happens on new documents in Word 16.52.

Best Regards,

Mia

Answer 4

Apologies for forgetting the screenshots.

Answer 5

Hi,

1.The screenshot is not included and we do need it for a better understanding about your scenario.

2.Please share back the screenshot about version details in Word.

3.If the file is stored in your OneDrive, please sign in www.office.com in Safari and check if the issue is still there in a browser mode.

Best Regards,

Mia