SharePoint Document Issues

How to Convert SharePoint List URLs into Clickable Links

Steve K Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs a method to convert plain text URLs imported from an Excel table into clickable hyperlinks within a SharePoint list.

Convert SharePoint List URLs into Clickable Links

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Importing thousands of rows containing URLs from an Excel table into a SharePoint list regularly.
Observed behavior: The imported URLs are stored in a multiple-lines-of-text column and appear as plain text instead of clickable hyperlinks, necessitating an automated bulk conversion solution.

Before you start

Before beginning, ensure you have sufficient site permissions to modify SharePoint list columns and to create Power Automate flows for your environment.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Power Automate for Bulk URL Conversion

This is the most efficient and automated solution for handling thousands of existing rows and managing recurring Excel imports.

Power Automate can automatically iterate through your entire SharePoint list and map plain text fields into a dedicated Hyperlink column. This ensures your links are structurally correct and fully clickable without manual intervention.

Create a Hyperlink Column

Navigate to your SharePoint list, click 'Add column', and select 'Hyperlink'. Name it appropriately (e.g., 'Clickable URLs').

Create a New Flow

Open Power Automate and create an 'Instant cloud flow' for a one-time bulk update, or an 'Automated cloud flow' triggered when a new item is created.

Retrieve List Items

Add the 'Get items' action and connect it to your specific SharePoint site and list to fetch the rows containing the plain text URLs.

Update Items Automatically

Add an 'Apply to each' loop. Inside the loop, insert the 'Update item' action. Map the plain text URL value from your multiple-lines-of-text column into the new Hyperlink column, then save and test your flow.

Use Power Automate for Bulk URL Conversion

Large List Pagination: If your SharePoint list contains more than 5,000 items, you must enable and configure Pagination in the Settings of the 'Get items' action to ensure all rows are processed.

Solution 2

Apply JSON Column Formatting

Ideal if you want to visually change the plain text to look and act like a clickable link without altering the underlying data structure.

Solution 3

Use a Hyperlink Column for Manual Entries

Best for one-off manual additions or smaller lists where bulk automation is not required.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Prepare Your Excel Data with WPS Office

While SharePoint lists are native to the Microsoft ecosystem, preparing and cleaning your Excel tables prior to importing does not require an expensive Microsoft 365 subscription. WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative for managing your data exports.

1. Download WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite from the official website.
2. Open Your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing .xlsx file containing the URLs.
3. Clean and Export Data: Format your URL columns cleanly, save the file, and proceed with a smooth import into your SharePoint list.

100% compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) file formatsLightweight application that runs smoothly even on older devicesFree built-in tools for data cleaning and formatting before SharePoint importFamiliar tabbed user interface requiring zero learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my imported Excel URLs appear as plain text in SharePoint?

When importing data into a multiple-lines-of-text or single-line-of-text column, SharePoint treats the content strictly as string data. To make them clickable automatically during an import, the target column must be designated as a Hyperlink column, or the data must be transformed post-import.

Does JSON formatting change the actual data type in my SharePoint list?

No. JSON column formatting only alters how the data is visually presented in your browser. The underlying data remains stored as plain text, not as true hyperlink data, which might affect downstream data exports or integrations.

How can I fix a plain text link without using Power Automate?

For individual or a small number of items, you can manually edit the list item, select the plain text URL, and use the 'Add or edit hyperlink' formatting tool. You can also change the column type to 'Hyperlink', though this may require re-entering the links manually for them to activate.

Document & File Issues