Office Compatibility Issues

Fix Microsoft Forms Link Opening to a Deprecation Error from PowerPoint or Word

Huda Qurayshi Sep 29, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need to resolve an issue where clicking a Microsoft Forms quiz link from an Office document results in a browser error instead of loading the form.

Fix Microsoft Forms Link Opening to a Deprecation Error from PowerPoint or Word

Product: Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Forms
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Clicking a Microsoft Forms hyperlink embedded within a desktop PowerPoint presentation or Word document to open a quiz or survey.
Observed behavior: When the link opens in Google Chrome, a 'DeprecationPage' path is automatically added to the URL, causing a deprecation error. Copying and pasting the link directly into the browser works normally.

Before you start

Ensure your Google Chrome browser is updated to the latest version, and verify that the Microsoft Forms link is still active by copying and pasting it into an incognito window.

Solution 1Recommended

Generate and Replace the Hyperlink in the Document

This is the most reliable method to resolve the issue for all users. Generating a fresh response link directly from Microsoft Forms can bypass the corrupt routing token.

Often, the issue stems from older links or links containing specific response tokens that trigger a redirect bug when passed from desktop Office applications to the Chrome browser. Replacing it with a newly generated link usually resolves the conflict.

Generate a new link

Open your quiz or survey in Microsoft Forms. Click the 'Collect responses' button and copy the newly generated URL. Avoid sharing links that contain personal response tokens.

Edit the hyperlink in Office

Open your affected PowerPoint presentation or Word document. Right-click the problematic Microsoft Forms link and select 'Edit Link' or 'Edit Hyperlink'.

Paste the new URL

Delete the old address in the URL field, paste the newly generated Microsoft Forms link, and click 'OK' to save the changes.

Test the new link

Hold the Ctrl key (or Cmd on Mac) and click the newly inserted link to ensure it successfully opens the form in your default browser without the DeprecationPage error.

Generate and Replace the Hyperlink in the Document

Security Tip: Never publicly post a link that was copied from a browser address bar while you were actively filling out a form, as it may contain a unique response token meant only for your session.

Solution 2

Copy and Paste the Link Manually

Use this quick workaround if you are a recipient of the document and cannot edit the original file to replace the hyperlink.

Solution 3

Open the Document in Office for the Web

Opening the document in a cloud environment prevents the desktop-to-browser handoff glitch from occurring.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Avoid Link Handling Errors with WPS Office

If you frequently encounter URL routing bugs, document compatibility issues, or application handoff errors in Microsoft Office desktop apps, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with seamless hyperlink handling.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite for your operating system.
2. Open your document: Launch WPS Presentation or WPS Writer and open your existing PPTX or DOCX file.
3. Click links seamlessly: Click the Microsoft Forms hyperlink to easily open it in your default browser without handoff errors.

Fully compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx) and Word (.docx) formats.Accurate hyperlink routing that avoids forced deprecation paths in web browsers.Lightweight installation with a familiar, easy-to-use tabbed interface.Free to download and use for your daily presentation and document needs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the deprecation error only happen in Google Chrome?

This issue is caused by how certain versions of desktop Microsoft Office applications hand off URLs to the Chrome browser. During this transfer, Office sometimes appends a 'DeprecationPage' path to the URL, causing the link to break. Other browsers like Microsoft Edge may handle this handoff differently.

Can I fix this issue without editing the original PowerPoint presentation?

Yes. If you cannot edit the file to update the link, simply right-click the link in the document, select 'Copy Hyperlink', and paste it directly into your web browser's address bar. This bypasses the faulty application-to-browser handoff.

How do I safely generate a new Microsoft Forms link?

To generate a clean link, open your quiz or survey in Microsoft Forms, click the 'Collect responses' button in the top right corner, and copy the URL provided there. Never copy the link directly from your browser's address bar while previewing or filling out the form, as it may contain session-specific response tokens.

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