Office Settings & Configuration

How to Stop Word from Automatically Creating Hyperlinks When Pasting

Anum Mushtaq Oct 15, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to prevent Word from converting pasted text, such as email addresses or URLs, into active hyperlinks automatically.

How to Stop Word from Automatically Creating Hyperlinks When Pasting

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Pasting text containing URLs or email addresses into a Word document.
Observed behavior: Word automatically formats the pasted text into clickable hyperlinks, even if some AutoCorrect settings are disabled, requiring manual removal.

Before you start

Ensure you have your Word document open. Be aware that disabling this feature will apply to all future documents you edit on this device, but it will not remove hyperlinks that have already been created.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable Hyperlinks in AutoFormat and AutoCorrect Settings

Adjust Word's Proofing settings to stop formatting internet paths as hyperlinks both as you type and when you paste.

Word relies on two separate settings for hyperlink creation: one for typing and one for general formatting. You must disable both to ensure URLs and email addresses remain as plain text when pasted.

Open AutoCorrect Options

Go to "File" in the top ribbon, select "Options" at the bottom left, and click on "Proofing". Click the "AutoCorrect Options" button.

Adjust AutoFormat As You Type

In the AutoCorrect dialog window, navigate to the "AutoFormat As You Type" tab. Under the "Replace as you type" section, uncheck the box for "Internet and network paths with hyperlinks".

Adjust AutoFormat Tab

Switch to the "AutoFormat" tab in the same dialog window. Under the "Replace" section, uncheck the box for "Internet and network paths with hyperlinks".

Save Changes

Click "OK" on both dialog boxes to apply the new settings.

Disable Hyperlinks in AutoFormat and AutoCorrect Settings

Already Linked Text: If the text you are copying is already formatted as a hyperlink from the source website or document, disabling AutoFormat will not strip the link. You must paste it as plain text instead.

Solution 2

Paste as Plain Text (Keep Text Only)

If the source text is already an active hyperlink, use the "Keep Text Only" paste option to prevent the link from carrying over into your document.

Effortless Document Formatting

Easily Manage Hyperlinks and Formatting in WPS Office

WPS Writer offers an intuitive and highly compatible word processing experience. You can easily manage automatic formatting rules, including how hyperlinks behave, ensuring your pasted text appears exactly as you intend without unnecessary clicks.

1. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open a new or existing text document.
2. Access Options: Click on "Menu" in the top-left corner and select "Options" at the bottom of the drop-down list.
3. Modify Edit Settings: Navigate to the "Edit" section in the left pane, find the "AutoFormat" settings, and uncheck "Internet and network paths with hyperlinks".

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word documents (.docx, .doc).Lightweight software with fast startup and smooth operation.Easy-to-use settings to disable or enable automatic hyperlink creation.Free alternative with a familiar tabbed user interface.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word still create a hyperlink when I press Enter or Space after pasting?

If you have only disabled the setting in the "AutoFormat" tab but left it enabled in the "AutoFormat As You Type" tab, Word will still convert URLs into links when you press Space or Enter. Make sure both tabs have the "Internet and network paths with hyperlinks" option unchecked in the AutoCorrect Options.

How can I remove a hyperlink from text I just pasted?

You can right-click directly on the hyperlinked text and select "Remove Hyperlink" from the context menu. Alternatively, you can select the text and press Ctrl+Shift+F9 to strip all field codes and links.

Does disabling this feature affect my existing hyperlinks?

No, modifying the AutoFormat and AutoCorrect settings only prevents Word from creating new hyperlinks automatically. Any hyperlinks that were already present in your document will remain intact unless manually removed.

Can I set a shortcut to paste as unformatted text?

Yes. You can use the built-in shortcut Ctrl+Shift+V in newer versions of Word to paste as plain text. You can also configure Word's default paste behavior in File > Options > Advanced to always "Keep Text Only" when pasting from other programs.

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