Formatting Issues

How to Insert a No-Width Optional Break in Word Hyperlinks

John Wilson Oct 12, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to insert a no-width optional break into long URLs in a document to fix text wrapping issues, but the breaks are not appearing consistently.

How to Insert a No-Width Optional Break in Word Hyperlinks

Product: Microsoft Word / WPS Writer
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting long URLs or hyperlinks in a document so they wrap correctly to the next line without breaking the clickable link.
Observed behavior: No-width optional breaks appear in some URLs but not others. The issue stems from the formatting being applied to the underlying hyperlink address instead of the hyperlink display text.

Before you start

Enable formatting marks in your document to easily see if and where no-width optional breaks or other hidden characters are currently placed.

Solution 1Recommended

Insert Optional Breaks in the Display Text Only

Hyperlinks consist of an underlying target address and the visible display text. You must insert formatting breaks exclusively into the display text to prevent corrupting the link.

If you insert a break or space into the actual web address (URL), the link will break and fail to open. Editing the hyperlink properties allows you to safely modify how the text wraps.

Edit the Hyperlink

Right-click the problematic hyperlink in your document and select 'Edit Hyperlink' from the context menu.

Locate the Display Text Field

In the dialog box, look for the 'Text to display' field at the top. This dictates what text appears in the document.

Insert the Break

Place your cursor in the 'Text to display' field exactly where you want the URL to wrap, and insert your no-width optional break.

Verify the Target Address

Ensure the 'Address' field at the bottom (the actual URL) contains no spaces or optional breaks, then click 'OK'.

Insert Optional Breaks in the Display Text Only

Link Maintained: By isolating the formatting mark to the display text, your text will wrap cleanly at the end of the line while the hyperlink remains fully functional.

Solution 2

Remove the Hyperlink Before Adding Breaks

If the URL only needs to be read as plain text and does not need to be clickable, you can remove the hyperlink entirely before formatting.

Seamless Document Formatting

Format and Wrap Long Hyperlinks Perfectly in WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers a highly compatible and intuitive environment for editing document layouts. You can easily modify hyperlink display text and seamlessly insert formatting marks to wrap long URLs without breaking active links.

1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document containing the long URLs that are failing to wrap.
2. Edit the Hyperlink Properties: Right-click the long URL and select 'Edit Hyperlink' from the dropdown menu.
3. Modify the Display Text: In the Hyperlink dialog, place your cursor in the 'Text to display' field and paste or insert your desired no-width optional breaks.
4. Save and Apply: Leave the 'Address' field exactly as the raw URL and click 'OK' to instantly fix the text wrapping.

100% compatible with Microsoft Word document formats (.docx) and formatting styles.Intuitive Hyperlink interface for easily separating display text from target addresses.Advanced typography controls for inserting special formatting characters like no-width optional breaks.Lightweight, fast, and completely free to use for your daily document processing needs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a no-width optional break in word processing?

It is a hidden formatting character that tells the word processor where it is allowed to break a long string of text (like a URL) to wrap it to the next line. Because it has 'no width', it does not add a visible space or hyphen to the word.

Why does my hyperlink stop working after I add a formatting break?

If you add a formatting break, space, or hyphen directly into the actual target address of the hyperlink, it corrupts the URL data. To keep the link working, always add formatting characters to the 'Text to display' field instead of the web address field.

How do I view hidden formatting marks like optional breaks?

Navigate to the Home tab on your ribbon and click the Pilcrow symbol (¶), usually found in the Paragraph group. This toggles the visibility of hidden characters, including spaces, paragraph marks, and optional breaks.

Can I use a zero-width space instead of a no-width optional break?

Yes, a zero-width space serves a nearly identical purpose by allowing text to wrap at that specific insertion point without displaying a visible gap. Both are effective strategies for handling overly long URLs in standard documents.

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