Office Compatibility Issues

How to Link to Specific PowerPoint Slides in SharePoint

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to know how to enable or properly use hyperlinks that point to specific individual slides within a PowerPoint presentation stored in SharePoint.

Product: Microsoft PowerPoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening and presenting a PowerPoint file stored in SharePoint using the PowerPoint for the Web interface.
Observed behavior: Hyperlinks pointing to specific individual slides fail to function or are unsupported when the presentation is opened in PowerPoint for the web.

Before you start

Ensure you have the Microsoft PowerPoint desktop application installed on your Windows or Mac computer, as you will need to switch out of the web environment to access full hyperlink functionality.

Solution 1Recommended

Open the Presentation in the PowerPoint Desktop Application

Switching from PowerPoint for the Web to the full desktop application restores the ability to use and edit hyperlinks to specific slides.

PowerPoint for the web is a lightweight version of the software designed for basic edits and viewing. Because it has fewer advanced editing features than the desktop application, it cannot process hyperlinks directed at specific slides. To bypass this limitation, you must open the file natively on your computer.

Open the file in SharePoint

Navigate to your SharePoint document library in your web browser and click on the PowerPoint presentation to open it in PowerPoint for the Web.

Select the Open in Desktop App option

Locate the ribbon at the top of the screen. Click on the 'Viewing' or 'Editing' button, then select 'Open in Desktop App' from the dropdown menu.

Confirm the prompt to launch PowerPoint

Your browser may display a pop-up asking for permission to open the file. Click 'Open PowerPoint' or 'Allow' to launch the desktop application on your Windows or Mac computer.

Test your hyperlinks

Once the presentation loads in the desktop app, navigate to the slide containing your hyperlink. Click the link while in Presentation mode or Ctrl-click it in editing mode to ensure it correctly jumps to the specific slide.

Submit a Feature Request: If your workflow heavily relies on using the web version, consider submitting a request to Microsoft through the official PowerPoint feedback portal to add specific slide hyperlink support to PowerPoint for the web.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office for Full Desktop Presentation Features

When web-based tools like PowerPoint for the Web lack essential features such as internal slide hyperlinks, WPS Office provides a robust, lightweight desktop alternative. WPS Presentation fully supports complex slide linking natively without requiring an expensive subscription.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free desktop application for your operating system.
2. Open Your Presentation: Launch WPS Presentation and open your downloaded .pptx file directly from your local drive.
3. Add or Edit Hyperlinks: Highlight text or an object, navigate to the Insert tab, click Hyperlink, and select 'Place in this document' to link directly to a specific slide.

Fully compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt, .pptx) formats for seamless file sharing.Robust hyperlink features for jumping between specific slides seamlessly.Lightweight desktop installation that operates much faster than bulky alternative suites.Familiar user interface that requires zero learning curve to migrate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my PowerPoint hyperlinks to other slides not work in the web browser?

PowerPoint for the Web is a simplified version of the desktop software. It currently lacks support for certain advanced features, including the ability to resolve or trigger internal hyperlinks pointing to specific individual slides.

Will my links work if someone else views the SharePoint file online?

No. If a colleague opens the presentation in PowerPoint for the Web, the internal slide links will not function. They must also use the 'Open in Desktop App' feature to utilize those specific links.

How do I create a hyperlink to a specific slide in the desktop app?

Select the text or shape you want to make clickable, press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac) to open the Hyperlink dialog, choose 'Place in This Document' from the left sidebar, and select the specific slide title from the list.

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