Document Editing Problems

How to Create a Word Hyperlink to a Bookmark in Another Document

Steve K Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to create a hyperlink in a Word document that navigates directly to a specific bookmark located in a different document.

Create a Word Hyperlink to a Bookmark in Another Document

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Linking to a specific section or bookmark in a separate local file or SharePoint document.
Observed behavior: The user wants to seamlessly jump from the current document to a defined bookmark in an external Word file without manually scrolling.

Before you start

Ensure that the destination document already has the required bookmark inserted and saved before attempting to establish a hyperlink to it.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Insert Link Feature to Target an External Bookmark

The standard and most reliable method for linking to a specific section of another local Word document.

This built-in method allows you to browse for your target file and select from a generated list of bookmarks present in that destination document.

Highlight text

Select the text or object in your current document that you want to turn into a clickable hyperlink.

Open Link dialog

Navigate to the Insert tab on the ribbon and click on Link, or press the Ctrl+K keyboard shortcut.

Select the external file

In the dialog box, choose 'Existing File or Web Page' on the left side, then browse and select the destination Word document.

Choose the bookmark

Confirm the file path appears in the Address box. Click the Bookmark button on the right, select the specific bookmark name from the popup list, and click OK.

Use the Insert Link Feature to Target an External Bookmark

Avoid Incorrect Linking: Do not select 'Place in This Document' on the left sidebar if your target bookmark is located in a completely different file.

Solution 2

Manually Append the Bookmark Name to the File Path

A useful workaround if Word fails to load or display the bookmark list from the external file.

Solution 3

Create an Anchor Link for SharePoint Documents

Use this method when the target document is hosted on SharePoint or a web server rather than a local drive.

Efficient Document Linking

Easily Manage Bookmarks and Hyperlinks in WPS Office

WPS Office provides a highly intuitive interface for cross-document linking and bookmark management, allowing you to seamlessly connect your local files for quick navigation.

1. Insert Bookmark in Target: Open the destination document in WPS Writer, place your cursor at the desired location, go to the Insert tab, click Bookmark, name it, and save the file.
2. Create Link in Source: Open your main document, highlight the text you wish to link, and click Insert > Hyperlink.
3. Target the External Bookmark: Select 'Existing File or Web Page', browse to your destination document, click the 'Bookmark' button, choose the name you just created, and confirm.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word document formats (.docx, .doc).Intuitive Insert Hyperlink dialog for effortless cross-document bookmark linking.Lightweight and fast, handling multiple linked documents without performance lag.Free to use with a familiar ribbon interface, ensuring zero learning curve.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why aren't bookmarks showing when I click the Bookmark button in the Link dialog?

If no bookmarks appear, verify that you have selected the correct external file in the browser window and that you actually saved the destination file after creating the bookmarks. As a workaround, you can manually type the file path followed by a hash symbol and the bookmark name (e.g., File.docx#Bookmark) in the Address box.

Can I link directly to a specific page in another Word document instead of a bookmark?

Word does not support direct page-number hyperlinking across different documents. You must first open the destination document, insert a bookmark on the specific page you want to target, and then hyperlink to that newly created bookmark.

Will my cross-document hyperlink still work if I email the files to someone else?

Usually, no. Standard hyperlinks use absolute file paths (like C:\Users\Name\Documents\File.docx). If you email the files, the path breaks on the recipient's computer. To share linked files, you should place both documents in the same folder, establish a relative hyperlink, and send them together in a ZIP file.

How do I edit or remove an existing hyperlink pointing to another document?

Right-click on the hyperlinked text in your document. To change the destination, select 'Edit Hyperlink' and update the file path or bookmark. To delete the link entirely while keeping the text, select 'Remove Hyperlink'.

Document & File Issues