how to insert hyperlink in email message

Question

I cannot insert a hyperlink in my email. The icon is grayed out and not active. I tried to change the setting, but did not have an option to add. How do I insert a hyperlink in my mail message?

Answer 1

To fix a grayed-out hyperlink icon in Outlook for Windows, you usually need to change the email format from Plain Text to HTML, because Plain Text does not support hyperlinks.

For the current email, open the draft message and click the Format Text tab on the ribbon. Change the format from Plain Text to HTML. The hyperlink icon should then become active.

To change the default setting in Classic Outlook, open Outlook and go to File > Options > Mail. Under Compose messages, change Compose messages in this format to HTML, then click OK.

As a quick alternative, type and highlight the text you want to turn into a link and press Ctrl + K to open the Insert Link dialog directly.

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hth

Marcin

Answer 2

In classic Outlook for Windows, a hyperlink can be inserted with the keyboard even if the ribbon button is unavailable.

1. While composing the email, place the cursor where the link should go.
2. Press Alt+N, I, I. This opens the Insert Hyperlink dialog box.
3. In Address, type the web address.
4. Press Alt+T and enter the text to display for the link.
5. Press Enter to insert it.

Another supported path is through the ribbon:

1. While composing the email, press F6 to move to the ribbon tabs.
2. Use the Right or Left arrow until Insert is selected.
3. Press Tab once, then use the Right arrow until Link is selected.
4. Press Enter to open Insert link.
5. Enter the Web address (URL).
6. Press Shift+Tab to Display as and enter the link text.
7. Tab to OK and press Enter.

If hyperlinks are showing as code such as {HYPERLINK "URL"} instead of normal link text, press Alt+F9 to toggle field codes off.

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