Disable Automatic Hyperlinks in Microsoft Word

When typing web addresses in Microsoft Word, they automatically convert into clickable hyperlinks, appearing blue and underlined. While useful for digital documents, this can be frustrating for print-focused users. Fortunately, this automatic formatting can be easily disabled.

Removing Existing Hyperlinks

If a text segment has already been converted into a hyperlink, simply right-click on it and select “Remove hyperlink.” This action will revert the text to its normal style, removing both the blue color and underlining.

Disabling Automatic Hyperlink Creation

To prevent Word from automatically creating hyperlinks as you type:

1. Navigate to “File” and then select “Options.” (In some versions, you might need to click “More” before seeing “Options.”)
2. Choose “Proofing” from the left-hand menu. Then, click on “Autocorrect Options.”
3. Within the “Autocorrect Options” dialog box, select the “AutoFormat As You Type” tab.
4. Locate the “Internet and network paths with hyperlinks” option and uncheck the box.
5. Next, switch to the “AutoFormat” tab within the same dialog box.
6. Again, find the “Internet and network paths with hyperlinks” option and uncheck the box.
7. Click “OK” to save the changes and close the dialog boxes.

By following these steps, you can regain control over how web addresses appear in your Word documents, ensuring a cleaner look for printed materials and avoiding unintentional clicks when working offline.