File Format & Compatibility

How to Create Relative Hyperlinks in Microsoft Word for Mac

Adam Davis Oct 19, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to create reliable relative hyperlinks in Word for Mac to link local HTML files together without the links breaking when the parent folder is moved.

How to Create Relative Hyperlinks in Microsoft Word on Mac

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Linking HTML documents or building a browser-based index within a local folder structure using Word as the authoring tool.
Observed behavior: Word automatically converts relative hyperlinks to absolute full file paths when saving or exporting to HTML, causing the links to break if the folder structure is moved to another location.

Before you start

Ensure your main Word document and all target HTML files are organized in the exact master folder structure you intend to use before inserting any links.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the HYPERLINK Field Code Setup

Manually coding the HYPERLINK field bypasses the limitations of the standard Hyperlink Attributes dialog, preserving your relative paths.

Microsoft Word's standard Hyperlink dialog does not always respect relative paths and will often resolve them to absolute paths upon saving. By manually using field codes, you can force Word to retain the relative structure.

Organize your folder structure

Save your main Word document in the root directory alongside your subfolders (for example, save the main file in the 'Yearbooks' folder right next to the 'Books' folder).

Toggle field codes

Press Option + F9 (or Fn + Option + F9 on some Mac keyboards) to reveal field codes in your document.

Insert a new field

Press Cmd + F9 to insert a set of empty field brackets { }.

Enter the relative hyperlink path

Type the hyperlink code inside the brackets using a relative path without a leading slash. For example: HYPERLINK "Books/1975/Index.html"

Update and test

Press Option + F9 again to hide the field codes. Right-click the new link and select 'Update Field'. Export or save your document, then move the entire master folder to test if the relative link remains intact.

Path Formatting: Avoid using a leading slash (/) in your file path, as this forces the system to look at the root directory of your Mac's hard drive instead of the current working folder.

Solution 2

Export or Build in a WYSIWYG HTML Editor

If your final goal is a web-based index, switching to an HTML editor avoids Word's HTML bloat and pathing issues altogether.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Management

If Microsoft Word's automatic formatting features and bloated file exports are complicating your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and user-friendly environment for managing your documents seamlessly without unnecessary code bloat.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free macOS version.
2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded package and follow the on-screen prompts to install the suite on your Mac.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files to continue working immediately with full compatibility.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsLightweight application that won't bloat exported HTML filesFree to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate interfaceNative support for macOS with fast performance and cloud syncing

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word change my relative links to absolute links on Mac?

Word has built-in link management that tries to ensure hyperlinks always find their target file. When you save or export a document, it often resolves relative paths to absolute paths (the exact location on your hard drive) to prevent broken links on the current machine, which unfortunately breaks them if the folder is moved.

How can I stop Word from updating my web links on save?

You can go to Word > Preferences > Web Options and uncheck the option to 'Update links on save'. However, this does not always guarantee relative paths will be preserved during HTML export, which is why using manual HYPERLINK field codes is recommended.

Does the Hyperlink Attributes dialog support relative paths?

It partially supports them. You can type a relative path into the dialog, and you can clear the 'Hyperlink base' in your document's advanced properties. However, Word's backend may still override these settings and convert them to full paths when exporting to HTML.

Are there alternatives to Word for creating HTML documents with local links?

Yes. If your ultimate goal is to produce HTML files, using a WYSIWYG HTML editor is highly recommended. These editors natively handle relative URLs without adding the bloated proprietary formatting code that Microsoft Word injects into its web page exports.

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