Hyperlinks can be helpful in Word documents for easy access to external websites or other sections. However, there are times when you want to remove them, either for printing purposes, to create a clean appearance, or to prevent distractions. Whether you are dealing with a lengthy document full of unwanted hyperlinks or just a single link you wish to eliminate, this guide will walk you through how to remove all hyperlinks in Word.
Table of Contents
Understanding Hyperlinks in Word
Before diving into the removal process, it’s essential to understand what hyperlinks are and why they might appear in your Word document. Hyperlinks are embedded links that can direct you to various locations, such as websites, email addresses, or different parts of the same document. They are created automatically when you type a URL or paste text that links to a URL, and they even commonly appear when importing content from other files or web pages.
Manual Removal of Hyperlinks
- Select the Hyperlink(s).
- The most straightforward method for individual hyperlinks:
- Right-click on the hyperlink you want to remove.
- Select “Remove Hyperlink” from the context menu.
- The most straightforward method for individual hyperlinks:
- Using Keyboard Shortcuts
- For individual hyperlinks:
- Click on the hyperlink.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + F9.
- To remove all hyperlinks in the document:
- Press the key combination Ctrl + A to highlight the entire document.
- Then press Ctrl + Shift + F9 to remove all hyperlinks at once.
- For individual hyperlinks:
- Removing Hyperlinks in Headers and footers
- Sometimes, hyperlinks can also be present in headers and footers.
- Double-click on the header/footer area to edit it.
- Follow the same steps as above to remove individual or all hyperlinks.
- Sometimes, hyperlinks can also be present in headers and footers.
Using Word Options to Prevent Hyperlink Creation
If you frequently remove hyperlinks, consider adjusting Word’s settings to prevent the automatic creation of hyperlinks.
- Turn Off Automatic Hyperlinks
- Go to File > Options > Proofing.
- Click on AutoCorrect Options.
- In the AutoFormat As You Type tab, uncheck the box that says “Internet and network paths with hyperlinks.”
- Click OK to save your changes.
Using Macro to Remove All Hyperlinks
For those who are comfortable using macros, a macro can automate the process of removing hyperlinks.
- Opening the Macro Editor
- To open Visual Basic for Applications editor, use the shortcut Alt + F11.
- Go to Insert > Module.
- Inserting the Macro
- Copy and paste the following code into the module:
  Sub RemoveAllHyperlinks()
    ActiveDocument.Hyperlinks.Delete
  End Sub
- Running the Macro
- Press F5 to run the macro.
- This will remove all hyperlinks in the active document.
Using Third-Party Tools
Several third-party tools are available to help remove hyperlinks. These tools can be handy if you work with multiple documents frequently and need a more robust solution.
- Web-Based ToolsThere are sites available where you can upload your document, and they will clean it for you. Be cautious when using these due to privacy concerns.
- Word Add-ins
- Some add-ins are specifically designed to help manage and remove hyperlinks. You can find these in the Microsoft Office Store.
- Be sure to read reviews and understand the permissions required by the add-in before installation.
Removing Hyperlinks in the Different Versions of Word
The process for eliminating hyperlinks may differ slightly depending on your Word version. Below are steps tailored for commonly used versions of Word:
Word for Microsoft 365
- Remove Hyperlinks using Keyboard Shortcuts
- Select all text using Ctrl + A.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + F9.
- Manually Remove Individual Hyperlinks
- Right-click on the hyperlink.
- Choose Remove Hyperlink.
Word 2019 and 2016
- Using Keyboard Shortcuts
- Select all text with Ctrl + A.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + F9 to remove all hyperlinks.
- Manually Remove Individual Hyperlinks
- Right-click the hyperlink and select Remove Hyperlink.
Word 2013 and 2010
- Using Keyboard Shortcuts
- Use the Ctrl + Shift + F9 shortcut after selecting the text with Ctrl + A.
- Using Menus
- Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options.
- In the AutoFormat As You Type section, deselect the box next to “Include hyperlinks for Internet and network paths.”
Word 2007
- Removing hyperlinks using Keyboard Shortcuts
- Select the whole document by pressing Ctrl + A.
- Then, use the Ctrl + Shift + F9 command.
- Using Menus
- Go to Office Button > Word Options > Proofing.
- Choose AutoCorrect Options and AutoFormat As You Type to remove hyperlinks for “Internet and network paths.”
Commonly Asked Questions Related to How To Remove All Hyperlinks In Word
Q. How do I remove all hyperlinks in a Word document at once?
A. To eliminate all hyperlinks in your document, and hold down the Ctrl key and go and click the A key to select all of the text, right-click on any hyperlink, and select the “Remove Hyperlink” option. This will remove all hyperlinks in the selected text.
Q. Can I use a keyboard shortcut to remove hyperlinks?
A. Yes! One way to quickly remove all hyperlinks from your document is to press Ctrl + A to select everything, followed by Ctrl + Shift + F9 to remove the hyperlinks.
Q. Is there a way to remove hyperlinks only from certain parts of the document?
A. you can highlight the text with hyperlinks, right-click the selection, and choose “Remove Hyperlink” from the menu.
Q. Will removing hyperlinks change the text formatting?
A. No, removing hyperlinks will only delete the link itself. The text will remain the same, without any hyperlink formatting.
Q. Can I remove hyperlinks using the Word Ribbon?
A. Yes! Select the text with hyperlinks, go to the “Home” tab in the Ribbon, and click the “Remove Hyperlink” option in the Font group.
Q. What if I want to keep the URL but remove the hyperlink?
A. You can copy the hyperlink text, remove the hyperlink, then paste the text back. This way, you keep the URL as plain text.
Q. Will removing hyperlinks affect any hyperlinks I have inserted in footnotes?
A. removing hyperlinks while selecting the whole document will also remove hyperlinks in footnotes. Be careful if you want to keep them.
Q. Can I remove hyperlinks in Word Online the same way as in the desktop version?
A. Mostly, yes! To remove the hyperlink, right-click on it and choose “Remove hyperlink.” The keyboard shortcuts may vary, though.
Q. Is there a way to remove hyperlinks automatically when I paste text into Word?
A. Yes! You can change the default settings in Word to paste as plain text, which will not include hyperlinks.
Q. What should I do if the “Remove Hyperlink” option is greyed out?
A. If the option is greyed out, it usually means that the selected text doesn’t contain any hyperlinks. Ensure you have selected text that is hyperlinked.
Conclusion
Hyperlinks can clutter your Word documents and become unnecessary distractions. Whether you have one document or several that need organizing, the abovementioned techniques provide various options to suit your requirements. From simple manual removal to macros and third-party tools, you have several ways to remove all hyperlinks in Word efficiently. Remember, selecting the best method depends on specific circumstances and familiarity with the tools in Word.
