Formatting Issues

How to Format a Word Cross-Reference as a Hyperlink

Olivia Miller Oct 7, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to style cross-referenced text to appear blue and underlined so readers easily recognize it as a clickable link.

How to Format a Word Cross-Reference as a Hyperlink

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating visually distinct cross-references for document navigation.
Observed behavior: By default, cross-references match the surrounding text formatting and lack the traditional blue, underlined hyperlink styling, making them hard to identify as clickable.

Before you start

Ensure your document already contains inserted cross-references and that the Styles pane is accessible for modifying character formatting.

Solution 1Recommended

Apply the Hyperlink Style from the Styles Pane

Use this solution to reveal and apply the default Hyperlink character style to your cross-referenced text.

By default, the Hyperlink style might be hidden in your Quick Styles gallery. You can reveal it in the Manage Styles settings and apply it manually to any cross-reference.

Open the Styles Pane

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

Manage Styles

Click the 'Manage Styles' button at the bottom of the Styles pane. Navigate to the 'Recommend' tab.

Show the Hyperlink Style

Scroll through the list to find 'Hyperlink', select it, and click the 'Show' button. Click OK.

Apply the Style

Highlight your cross-reference in the document and click the newly visible 'Hyperlink' style in the Styles pane to make it blue and underlined.

Apply the Hyperlink Style from the Styles Pane

Quick Access: You can right-click the Hyperlink style in the Styles pane and select 'Add to Quick Style Gallery' for easier access in the future.

Solution 2

Use the CHARFORMAT Switch to Preserve Formatting

Use this method to ensure the blue and underlined formatting does not disappear when you update the document's fields.

Advanced Document Formatting

Format Cross-References Easily in WPS Writer

WPS Writer provides robust reference tools, allowing you to seamlessly insert, manage, and apply custom hyperlink styles to your document cross-references for a professional reading experience.

1. Insert Cross-Reference: Open your document in WPS Writer, navigate to the Reference tab, and click 'Cross-reference' to insert your link.
2. Open Styles: Go to the Home tab and expand the Styles menu to locate the Hyperlink character style.
3. Apply Formatting: Highlight the inserted cross-reference and click 'Hyperlink' to immediately apply the blue and underlined visual cues.

Intuitive Styles pane for quick text formattingSeamless compatibility with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsLightweight program offering smooth performance for heavy documents

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my cross-reference formatting disappear when I print or update fields?

When Word updates fields prior to printing or saving, manual formatting may be overwritten by the underlying document style. To fix this, use the \* CHARFORMAT switch inside the field code to lock in your custom hyperlink style permanently.

Can I format all cross-references in my document at once?

Yes. Press Alt+F9 to reveal field codes, then use the Find and Replace tool. Search for '^d REF' (which finds all reference field codes) and replace them with the Hyperlink style applied from the Format menu in the Replace dialog.

How do I remove the hyperlink style if I change my mind?

Select the formatted cross-reference, open the Styles pane, and click 'Clear All' or apply the 'Default Paragraph Font' style to revert the text back to normal.

Document & File Issues