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How to Make Excel Mailto Links Open Outlook Instead of Chrome
Question details
The user needs their spreadsheet mailto hyperlinks to open the Microsoft Outlook desktop client instead of launching Google Chrome.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Clicking a cell containing a HYPERLINK formula with a mailto address to send a new email.
- Observed behavior
- The default Windows mail application settings cause Google Chrome to open and handle the mailto protocol instead of Microsoft Outlook.
Ensure that the Microsoft Outlook desktop application is installed on your Windows computer and that your email account is successfully signed in.
Change the Windows Default App for Mailto Protocol
Reassign the default Windows handler for the 'mailto' protocol from Google Chrome to Microsoft Outlook.
Spreadsheet software like Excel relies entirely on your Windows operating system settings to determine which application handles email links. If a browser opens instead of your email client, it means the operating system's default protocol association was accidentally changed.
Click the Windows Start menu icon and select the 'Settings' gear icon, or press the 'Windows + I' keys on your keyboard.
In the Settings window, click on 'Apps' from the list of categories, then select 'Default apps' from the left-hand navigation menu.
Scroll down to the bottom of the Default apps page and click the link labeled 'Choose default apps by protocol'.
Scroll down the alphabetical list of protocols until you find 'MAILTO'. You will see 'Google Chrome' listed as the currently assigned application next to it.
Click on 'Google Chrome' next to the MAILTO protocol and select 'Outlook' from the pop-up list of available applications to set it as your new default.
Use Mailto Hyperlinks Seamlessly in WPS Spreadsheet
WPS Office provides a highly compatible, free spreadsheet application that perfectly handles HYPERLINK formulas and integrates flawlessly with your system's default email client.
- 1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open a new or existing spreadsheet document.
- 2. Insert the Hyperlink Formula: Select a cell and type your email formula, for example: =HYPERLINK("mailto:address@example.com?subject=test&body=Hello", "Send Email").
- 3. Apply and Click: Press Enter to create the clickable link. Clicking this link in WPS Spreadsheet will instantly open your designated default mail application, such as Outlook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Excel hyperlinks open in a web browser instead of an email app?
This occurs when your Windows operating system's default application handler for the 'mailto' protocol gets switched to a web browser like Chrome or Edge instead of a dedicated email client. Adjusting the default apps by protocol in Windows Settings will fix this.
How do I add a subject and body to a mailto link in my spreadsheet?
You can append specific parameters directly to the mailto address in your formula. Use the format: =HYPERLINK("mailto:name@example.com?subject=My Subject&body=My Message", "Email Me"). If your text contains spaces and causes errors, replace the spaces with '%20'.
Does WPS Spreadsheet support the same HYPERLINK formulas as Microsoft Excel?
Yes, WPS Spreadsheet is fully compatible with Excel formulas, including the HYPERLINK function. You can use the exact same syntax to successfully create links to web pages, local network files, or email addresses.
