File Sharing Problems

How to Show a File Name Instead of a Long SharePoint Link

Bushra Parveen Sep 27, 2026 872 views

Question details

Users want to display the actual document name instead of a long, confusing SharePoint or OneDrive URL when sharing links via email or messaging apps.

How to Show a File Name Instead of a Long SharePoint Link

Product: SharePoint / OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Sharing a document link via email or third-party messaging applications for review.
Observed behavior: Pasting a copied sharing link only displays the raw, lengthy URL instead of generating a clickable file name preview, making the file difficult to identify.

Before you start

Before sharing your document, verify that you have configured the correct viewing or editing permissions in SharePoint or OneDrive so the recipient can successfully open the link.

Solution 1Recommended

Manually Hyperlink the File Name

Since pasting a raw URL bypasses rich-text formatting in many apps, manually creating a hyperlink allows you to display the exact file name.

When copying a link from SharePoint, your clipboard only saves the web address. If the receiving email client or messaging app does not support automatic link previews, you must manually format the text to hide the long URL.

Copy the SharePoint Link

Open your document in SharePoint or Microsoft 365, click the 'Share' button, and select 'Copy Link' to save the URL to your clipboard.

Type the File Name in Your Message

Open your email or messaging app, type out the actual name of the file you want to share, and highlight the text with your cursor.

Insert the Hyperlink

Right-click the highlighted text and select 'Link' or 'Insert Hyperlink' (or press Ctrl+K / Cmd+K on Mac). Paste the long SharePoint URL into the address field and click 'OK'.

Clean Links: This method works universally across almost all email clients and word processors, ensuring your recipients see a neat, clickable file name.

Solution 2

Use the Built-in Microsoft 365 Share Card

Using the in-app Share feature sends an automated email from Microsoft's servers, which inherently formats the link as a clickable file name.

Solution 3

Share the File as an Attachment

If link formatting continues to fail or if you are sharing via a platform that strips HTML formatting, sending a physical copy of the file eliminates the URL problem entirely.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Sharing

Tired of dealing with long URLs and formatting issues when sharing files? WPS Office provides a free, lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office. With intuitive built-in cloud sharing features, you can easily generate clean links and collaborate with colleagues without the hassle of unreadable web addresses.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free suite and install it on your device.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office and open the document you wish to share.
3. Share via WPS Cloud: Click the 'Share' button in the top right to instantly generate a concise, manageable link for effortless collaboration.

Generate clean, easily readable sharing links effortlessly with built-in WPS Cloud.Fully compatible with all Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Lightweight software that runs exceptionally fast on both Windows and Mac.Completely free to download with a familiar, user-friendly interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do copied SharePoint links not show file name previews in my app?

When you copy a link, your clipboard stores raw URL text data. If the third-party email client or messaging app you paste it into lacks rich-text link generation or integration with Microsoft 365, it will simply display the long web address.

Is there a universal setting to force SharePoint to copy the file name?

No. There is no universal setting within Microsoft 365 or SharePoint that forces every external application to automatically convert a copied URL into a formatted file name preview.

How can Mac users fix the long SharePoint link issue?

Mac users experience the exact same clipboard behavior as Windows users. To fix this, manually type the file name, highlight it, press Cmd+K to open the hyperlink menu, and paste the SharePoint URL into the address bar.

Document & File Issues