How to Insert a Link Into an Email With Outlook

Share links to websites and web pages in an email message

By
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Writer
  • University of Vienna
A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
lifewire's editorial guidelines
Updated on March 22, 2022
Reviewed by
Ryan Perian
Ryan Perian headshot
Reviewed by Ryan Perian
  • Western Governors University
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
lifewire's editorial guidelines

What to Know

  • Microsoft 365 or Outlook online: Select the text you want to link. From the formatting bar, select Insert Link.
  • Outlook desktop app on a Windows PC: Select the text you want to link and go to Insert > Link.
  • Outlook desktop app on a Mac: Select the text you want to link and go to Format > Hyperlink.

This article explains how to embed a link in an Outlook email. Instructions apply to the Outlook desktop app for Windows PCs, Outlook for Mac on a desktop, Outlook for Microsoft 365, and Outlook Online.

Insert a Link in Outlook: Microsoft 365 or Outlook Online

You can link any word or image in your message to any page on the web. When the recipient clicks the link, the website opens automatically. Here's how it works if you're using Outlook as part of Microsoft 365 or you're using a free Outlook Online email account. (Functionality is the same for both versions.)

  1. Compose a new message or reply to a current message.

    New message in Outlook online

  2. Select the text (or image) you want to use for the link.

    Outlook online email message with text highlighted

  3. From the formatting toolbar, select Insert Link (link icon).

    Outlook online email message with Insert Link highlighted

  4. In the Insert Link dialog box, enter the web address and select OK.

    Outlook online message Insert Link dialog with URL and OK highlighted

  5. Your selected text is now a live hyperlink. When the email recipient clicks the link, they'll be taken to the URL.

    Outlook Online with selected text hyperlinked

Insert a Link in Outlook: Windows PC Desktop App

It's easy to insert a link into an Outlook email using the Outlook Windows desktop app.

  1. Compose a new message or reply to a current message.

  2. Select the text or image you want to use for the link.

    Screenshot of selected text

  3. Go to the Insert tab.

    Screenshot of Windows Mail email message with Insert tab selected

  4. Select Link.

    Screenshot of Insert tab showing Link in Windows Mail

    You can also right-click and select Link to add the link.

  5. Enter or paste the URL to which you want to link.

    To insert a link to an email address, select Email Address and fill in the fields. In Outlook Online, in the Address text box, enter mailto: followed by the email address.

  6. Select OK to insert the link. When the recipient of the email clicks the link text in your email, the linked URL opens in a browser.

Insert a Link in Outlook: Mac Desktop App

Inserting a link using Outlook on a Mac desktop is also straightforward.

  1. Compose a new message or reply to a current message.

  2. Select the text or image you want to use for the link.

    Outlook for Mac with selected text highlighted

  3. Go to Format > Hyperlink.

    Outlook for Mac with Hyperlink highlighted on the Format tab

    Or, use the keyboard shortcut Command + K to insert a link.

  4. In the Insert Hyperlink box, enter or paste the URL to which you want to link and select OK.

    Insert Link box on Outlook for Mac with URL input highlighted

  5. Your selected text is now a live hyperlink. When the email recipient clicks the link, they'll be taken to the URL.

FAQ
  • How do I insert a link in an Instagram story?

    To add a link to an Instagram story, create your story, click the link icon at the top of the page, and then click URL. Type or paste the URL into the field provided and then click Done. When users swipe up, they can access the clickable link.

  • How do I insert a link in Excel?

    Select the cell where you want to create a link, and then go to Insert > Hyperlink. Type or enter the URL and click OK. You can also link to an object or image in Excel.

  • How do I insert a link in Word?

    To insert a link in a Word document, highlight the text or image that you want to link. Right-click the text and choose Link or Hyperlink, depending on your word version. Enter or paste the URL and click OK.

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