How to Set Word Hyperlinks to Open in a New Window
Question details
The user wants to configure Word so that clicking any hyperlink automatically opens the destination in a new window by default.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Adding web links to a document and wanting them to open in a separate browser tab or window when clicked by readers.
- Observed behavior
- Word requires users to manually select the target frame for each individual link and lacks a global application setting to make 'New Window' the default.
Ensure your document is saved in the latest .docx format to prevent hyperlink compatibility or formatting issues when saving or sharing.
Use the Target Frame Option for Individual Links
While Word doesn't have a global setting for all documents, you can manually set individual links to open in a new window using the Target Frame option.
Microsoft Word handles hyperlinks individually. To force a web page to open in a new browser window or tab, you must modify the Target Frame properties for that specific link during or after insertion.
Highlight the specific text or image in your document that you want to turn into a clickable hyperlink.
Press 'Ctrl+K' on your keyboard, or right-click the selected text and choose 'Link' to open the Insert Hyperlink dialog box.
Click the 'Target Frame...' button located on the right side of the Insert Hyperlink window.
Under the 'Common targets in page' section, choose 'New window'. Click 'OK' to close the Target Frame box, and click 'OK' again to apply the hyperlink.
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- 1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your computer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a macro to set all Word hyperlinks to open in a new window?
Yes. You can write a VBA macro that loops through all the 'Hyperlinks' in the active document and sets their '.Target' property to '_blank'. This is a quick workaround for applying the setting to multiple links at once.
Will the target frame setting work when I export the Word document to PDF?
The target frame setting is primarily designed for HTML and Web Layouts. When exported to PDF, how the link opens typically depends on the user's specific PDF reader preferences rather than the target frame set in Word.
Where can I request Microsoft to add a global target frame setting?
You can submit feature requests or user feedback directly through the Word application by going to File > Feedback, or by posting your suggestion on the official Microsoft Feedback web portal.
