Formatting Issues

How to Fix Visited Hyperlinks Changing Font Size in Word

Huma Ashraf Ch Oct 7, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to prevent hyperlinks from automatically changing their font size or appearance after they have been clicked.

How to Fix Visited Hyperlinks Changing Font Size in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Clicking or opening a hyperlink within a document
Observed behavior: After a link is opened, it changes to a larger font size and turns purple, failing to match the original document text or the unvisited link styling.

Before you start

Ensure you have the document containing the affected hyperlinks open, as style modifications need to be applied directly to the active document or its underlying template.

Solution 1Recommended

Modify the FollowedHyperlink Style

Adjust the built-in FollowedHyperlink style to ensure visited links retain your preferred font size and color.

Word handles unvisited and visited links using two distinct styles: 'Hyperlink' and 'FollowedHyperlink'. When the font size of a visited link changes unexpectedly, it means the FollowedHyperlink style differs from your standard document font or the unvisited Hyperlink style.

Open the Styles Pane

Press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S to open the Styles pane on the right side of your screen.

Display All Styles

Click 'Options...' at the bottom of the Styles pane. Under the 'Select styles to show' dropdown menu, choose 'All styles' and click OK.

Locate FollowedHyperlink

Scroll through the alphabetical list of styles to find 'FollowedHyperlink'. Right-click on it and select 'Modify'.

Adjust Formatting

In the Modify Style dialog, change the font size, font family, and color to match your desired appearance so it mirrors your unvisited links or standard text.

Apply and Save

Select 'New documents based on this template' if you want to prevent this issue in future documents, then click OK to save your changes.

Instant Update: All previously clicked links in your document will immediately update to match the newly configured font size and color.

Solution 2

Verify Using the Apply Styles Panel

Quickly verify and modify the underlying paragraph style to ensure it is not conflicting with your hyperlink formatting.

Seamless Document Formatting

Fix Hyperlink Formatting Easily with WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers an intuitive Styles and Formatting pane that makes it incredibly simple to unify your hyperlink styles, ensuring your document looks professional without unexpected font size changes.

1. Open your Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your .docx file containing the hyperlinks.
2. Access the Styles Pane: Navigate to the Home tab and click on the 'Styles and Formatting' icon to open the right-side task pane.
3. Modify Followed Hyperlink: Find the 'FollowedHyperlink' style in the list, right-click, select 'Modify', and adjust the font size to perfectly match your document.

Free to download and use for essential editingFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsIntuitive interface for managing complex document styles easilyLightweight application that runs smoothly on older devices

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do hyperlinks turn purple after clicking?

By default, word processors like Microsoft Word use a distinct 'FollowedHyperlink' style to help users visually identify which links they have already visited. This built-in style is conventionally set to the color purple.

How can I remove the hyperlink formatting completely?

You can remove hyperlink formatting by right-clicking the link and selecting 'Remove Hyperlink'. This converts the linked text back into plain text, adopting the standard formatting of the surrounding paragraph.

Will modifying the FollowedHyperlink style affect my other documents?

Modifying the style only affects the current document by default. However, if you select the option 'New documents based on this template' in the Modify Style dialog box, the changes will apply to all future documents created with that template.

Document & File Issues