Hyperlink colour values when Automatic is selected - where to edit these two colours?

Question

I am trying to figure out where the white value comes from when Hyperlink style is set to Auto for colour selection? And where is get the darker or black value??

Answer 1

It isn't possible to make the automatic colors any more clever than they are, I'm afraid.

Kristen's suggestion to create different styles and apply them manually may be your best option (still not a very convenient option, of course).

Answer 2

I am aware of that, but see below per my other response.

Answer 3

So I need to create two hyperlink styles - one for over dark and one for over light backgrounds, which is not really ideal. Would be great to be able to modify those two values.

Answer 4

In Word, you can define specific hyperlink text colors in a document if you modify the built-in Hyperlink and FollowedHyperlink styles.

Answer 5

Hi Todd,

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.  

When you set a hyperlink’s color to “Automatic” in Microsoft Word, the actual color it displays - white or black - is determined by the background it sits on. Here's how it works and where these values come from:

How “Automatic” Hyperlink Color Works

• Automatic color is a dynamic setting that adapts based on the background:
  • On light backgrounds, it typically renders as black.
  • On dark backgrounds, it switches to white for contrast

This behavior is controlled by Word’s theme engine and system-level accessibility settings, not by a fixed color code.

Where These Colors Come From

• The “Automatic” setting pulls from the system’s theme resources or document theme:
  • In Word, the hyperlink style is defined by the Hyperlink and FollowedHyperlink character styles, which you can modify manually.

How to Customize These Colors

If you want more control over hyperlink appearance:

1. Open the Styles Pane: Press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + S.
2. Modify the Hyperlink Style:
   • Find “Hyperlink” in the list.
   • Click the dropdown arrow and choose Modify.
   • Set a specific color instead of “Automatic”
3. Create a Custom Style (for selective overrides):
   • Create a new Character Style based on “Hyperlink”.
   • Set the desired color (e.g., white for dark backgrounds).
   • Apply this style only to hyperlinks that need it.

 I hope these solutions can help you to solve this problem. Please know that we truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to support you. If you need any further assistance or clarification, feel free to reach out-we're here to help. 

Best regards,   

Kristen - L - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist.