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How to Fix Excel Email Links Opening in a Browser Instead of Outlook
Question details
The user needs to restore Microsoft Outlook as the default application for email hyperlinks in Excel so that clicking a 'mailto' link drafts a new email instead of opening a web browser.
- Product
- Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows and Mac
- Scenario
- Clicking an email address hyperlink in a spreadsheet opens a web browser rather than drafting a new email message in Outlook.
- Observed behavior
- Excel mailto hyperlinks automatically open in Chrome, Edge, or another web browser instead of creating a new message in the Microsoft Outlook desktop client.
Verify that the email link in your Excel spreadsheet actually uses the mailto protocol by hovering your mouse over the cell and checking the tooltip for a 'mailto:' prefix.
Change the Default App for the MAILTO Protocol on Windows
Use this solution if you are on a Windows PC and email links in Excel are redirecting to a web browser.
When Excel opens a web browser for email links, it means Windows has assigned the system-wide MAILTO protocol to that browser. Reassigning it to Outlook will fix the behavior in Excel and all other desktop applications.
Click the Start menu and open the Windows Settings app. Navigate to the 'Apps' section, then select 'Default Apps' from the left sidebar.
Scroll down to the bottom of the Default Apps page and click on the link that says 'Choose default apps by protocol'.
Scroll through the alphabetical list to find the 'MAILTO' protocol. Click on the current default app (usually Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge) and select 'Outlook' from the list of available applications.
Set Outlook as the Default Email Reader on Mac
Use this method if you are using macOS and Excel email links are opening in Chrome or Safari instead of Outlook.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Spreadsheet and Email Management
If you frequently experience issues with default application settings or link handling in Microsoft Office, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with a user-friendly interface that reliably respects your system's default settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Excel hyperlinks open a browser instead of an email app?
This occurs when your operating system's default application for handling 'mailto:' links has been changed to a web browser (like Chrome or Edge) instead of a dedicated email client like Outlook. This often happens after a system or browser update.
How do I check if my Excel link is formatted correctly for email?
Hover your cursor over the hyperlink in Excel without clicking. A small tooltip should appear showing 'mailto:email@example.com'. If it just shows a standard web URL, you need to right-click the cell, select Edit Hyperlink, and ensure the 'Email Address' option is correctly filled out.
Will changing the default MAILTO app affect other programs on my computer?
Yes. Changing the default MAILTO protocol handler in your Windows or Mac settings applies system-wide. Any email link you click in word processors, PDFs, or web browsers will subsequently open in Outlook.
