Office Settings & Configuration

How to Stop Excel and Office from Creating Automatic Hyperlinks

Huma Ashraf Ch Oct 10, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user wants to disable the default behavior in Office applications where typed text resembling web addresses or hostnames is automatically converted into clickable hyperlinks.

How to Stop Excel and Office from Creating Automatic Hyperlinks

Product: Microsoft Excel and Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Typing URIs, hostnames, or network paths like aa.bb.cc into a spreadsheet or document.
Observed behavior: The text is automatically formatted as a blue, clickable hyperlink, which increases the risk of users accidentally accessing unwanted or unfamiliar links.

Before you start

Before modifying your AutoCorrect options, save any open documents. Keep in mind that disabling this setting will only affect new text you type; existing hyperlinks in your document will remain unchanged.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable Automatic Hyperlinks via AutoCorrect Options

Adjust the AutoFormat As You Type settings in Excel or Word to stop the application from automatically converting paths and URLs into hyperlinks.

Microsoft Office includes an 'AutoFormat As You Type' feature that anticipates when you are typing a web address and automatically converts it into a link. Disabling this specific trigger prevents accidental clicks while allowing you to manually add links only when intended.

Open Office Options

Launch Excel (or your respective Office application) and click on 'File' in the top-left corner, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.

Navigate to Proofing Settings

In the Options dialog box, select 'Proofing' from the left-hand sidebar, then click on the 'AutoCorrect Options' button.

Access AutoFormat Settings

Click on the tab labeled 'AutoFormat As You Type' at the top of the AutoCorrect dialog box.

Disable Hyperlink Auto-Formatting

Under the 'Replace as you type' section, uncheck the box next to 'Internet and network paths with hyperlinks'.

Save Changes

Click 'OK' to close the AutoCorrect Options, and 'OK' again to exit the Options menu. Text resembling URLs will now remain as plain text.

Disable Automatic Hyperlinks via AutoCorrect Options

Quick Undo Shortcut: If you prefer to leave the setting on but occasionally want plain text, simply press Ctrl+Z (Undo) immediately after the text turns into a hyperlink. This removes the link formatting while keeping your typed text.

Manage Formatting in WPS Office

How to Disable Automatic Hyperlinks in WPS Office

WPS Office provides full control over your AutoCorrect and text formatting preferences. You can easily disable automatic hyperlink generation in WPS Spreadsheet to keep your data as plain text and prevent unintended navigation.

1. Open Settings in WPS: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and click the 'Menu' button located in the top-left corner, then select 'Options'.
2. Go to the Edit Menu: In the Options window, click on 'Edit' from the left-hand navigation pane.
3. Turn Off Hyperlink Auto-Creation: Locate and uncheck the option labeled 'Replace Internet and network paths with hyperlinks as you type'.
4. Apply Changes: Click 'OK' to save your preferences. Any future URLs or paths you type will remain formatted as standard plain text.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I remove an existing hyperlink without deleting the text?

To remove a hyperlink that has already been created, right-click the cell or highlighted text containing the link and select 'Remove Hyperlink' from the context menu. This will strip the clickable link but leave your original text intact.

Will disabling this setting remove existing hyperlinks in my spreadsheet?

No. Turning off the 'Internet and network paths with hyperlinks' setting only prevents new text from being automatically converted as you type. It does not retroactively remove or alter existing hyperlinks in your document.

Can I manually add a hyperlink after disabling the automatic setting?

Yes. Even with the automatic setting disabled, you can still add hyperlinks manually. Simply right-click the cell, select 'Link' or 'Hyperlink', and enter the desired URL or document path.

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