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Can Microsoft Sway Create Links to Sections in the Same Presentation?

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if it is possible to create internal hyperlinks that jump directly to specific sections or cards within the same Microsoft Sway presentation.

Can Microsoft Sway Create Links to Sections in the Same Presentation?

Product: Microsoft Sway
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating a dynamic presentation where users need to click a link to navigate quickly between different sections.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Sway does not currently have a built-in feature to create manual internal links that jump to specific cards or sections within the same document.

Before you start

Ensure your Microsoft Sway presentation is well-structured using Heading 1 and Heading 2 cards, as this affects how Sway automatically generates its navigation menu.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Built-in Navigation and Headings

Since manual internal links are not supported, structure your Sway with Headings to utilize the automatic navigation view.

Microsoft Sway automatically builds a navigational framework based on your heading structures. While you cannot hyperlink specific text to jump to a card, the built-in navigation button achieves a similar result for your viewers.

Add Heading Cards

In your Sway Storyline, insert Heading 1 or Heading 2 cards to separate the major sections of your presentation.

Play the Presentation

Click the 'Play' button in the top-right corner to view the presentation as your audience will see it.

Access the Navigation Menu

Click the 'Navigation' icon (usually located in the bottom-right corner of the screen). This opens an interactive visual menu generated from your headings, allowing viewers to jump directly to those sections.

Navigation Layouts: The appearance of the navigation menu may vary slightly depending on whether your Sway is set to scroll vertically, horizontally, or optimized for presentation mode.

Solution 2

Submit a Feature Request

Request internal linking functionality directly from Microsoft to help prioritize future updates.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Presentation for Full Control Over Internal Links

If you need precise control over your presentation's navigation, including custom internal links, interactive buttons, and a Table of Contents, WPS Presentation offers a robust, free, and lightweight alternative to web-based presentation tools. It provides a familiar UI and seamless Microsoft PowerPoint format compatibility.

1. Select your text or object: Open WPS Presentation, highlight the text or click the shape you want to act as your internal link.
2. Insert Hyperlink: Press Ctrl + K, or right-click the selection and choose 'Hyperlink' from the context menu.
3. Link to a specific slide: In the Hyperlink dialog, select 'Place in This Document' on the left panel, choose the target slide from the list, and click OK.

Easily insert hyperlinks to specific slides or custom sections within the same presentation.Highly compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt, .pptx) formats.Free, lightweight, and fast to launch on Windows, Mac, and Linux.Offers familiar interface designs with almost zero learning curve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Microsoft Sway have a Table of Contents feature?

Sway does not have a traditional textual Table of Contents that you can insert into a card. Instead, it automatically generates a visual navigation menu based on your Heading 1 and Heading 2 cards, which acts as a built-in Table of Contents when viewers click the navigation icon in play mode.

Can I hyperlink text to an external website in Sway?

Yes, while internal links are not supported, you can easily create external links. Highlight the desired text within a Text card, click the 'Link' button in the formatting toolbar, and paste the external web URL.

Will Microsoft add internal links to Sway in the future?

Microsoft actively reviews user feedback on their official Feedback Portal. While there is no published timeline for Sway updates, highly upvoted feature requests like manual internal links and bookmarking have a better chance of being prioritized by the development team.

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