Change Hyperlink Color in Word: Hyperlink and FollowedHyperlink Styles

Microsoft Word normally displays unvisited and followed hyperlinks in different colors. To change them consistently throughout a document, modify the Hyperlink and FollowedHyperlink styles. You can also format individual links, but style-based changes are easier to maintain in longer documents.

Why Change Hyperlink Colors?

Consistent link colors make a document easier to scan. Choose colors with sufficient contrast against the page background, and retain an underline or another visual cue so readers can identify links without relying on color alone.

Changing Hyperlink Colour in Word (Windows)

1. Open the Styles Panel: Go to the Home tab, and look for the small Styles icon at the bottom-right corner of the Styles group (or press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + S)​
   
2. Find the Hyperlink Style: In the Styles window, select Options at the bottom of the Styles pane, then choose All styles under Select styles to show. Scroll down and find Hyperlink.
3. Modify the Hyperlink Style: open the style’s menu and select Modify. A new window will open where you can adjust the hyperlink’s formatting, including color​.
   
4. Select a New Color: Click on the color dropdown menu and choose the color that best fits your document. Click OK to save your changes​(IU Knowledge Base).
5. Update Followed Hyperlink Color:
   • Don’t forget to change the color for followed hyperlinks! Repeat the same process but select FollowedHyperlink in the Styles window​(Solve Your Tech).

Changing Hyperlink Colour in Word (Mac OS)

For Mac users, the process is similar but with slight variations:

1. Open Styles: Go to the Format menu and select Style. Under List, make sure All styles is chosen​.
2. Modify Hyperlink Style: In the styles list, select Hyperlink, click Modify, and then go to the Font option where you can select your preferred hyperlink color.
3. Save Your Changes: Once you’ve picked the color, click OK to save​.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I remove underline from a hyperlink in Word?

Removing underlines makes links harder to recognize, especially for readers with color-vision differences. Prefer keeping underlines. If a design requirement makes removal necessary, go back to the Modify style option under Hyperlink and uncheck the underline option in the font settings​.

Can I stop Word from automatically creating hyperlinks?

Yes, you can disable this by going to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options > AutoFormat as you type, and unchecking “Internet and network paths with hyperlinks“.

Why doesn’t my hyperlink work?

This can happen due to a few reasons, such as a broken URL or Word settings preventing the hyperlink from functioning properly. First verify the link address and whether Word requires Ctrl+click in editing view. On Windows, the File > Options > Advanced setting “Use CTRL + Click to follow hyperlink” controls the gesture, not whether the link address is valid​.

Accuracy notes and troubleshooting

If the color does not change: Word may be displaying the FollowedHyperlink style after a link has been opened, or the text may have direct font formatting overriding its style. Modify both Hyperlink and FollowedHyperlink styles, then clear direct formatting on a test link if needed. For accessibility, do not rely on color alone to communicate that text is clickable.

Check the result in a test document

Create two links with Ctrl+K, modify both link styles, and open one link to compare the unvisited and followed appearances. If only one link changes, select its text and check whether direct font formatting overrides the style. In Word for the web, full style-modification controls may not be available; use the desktop application for document-wide style changes. Changes to the current document do not automatically update every existing Word file or template.

Frequently missed details

Why is a visited link still blue? Word may not immediately update its followed-link appearance, or the hyperlink may have direct formatting. Save, reopen, and check both styles. Can I change only one hyperlink? Yes: select its text and use Home > Font Color, but that direct formatting can override later style updates. What about printing and PDF? Export a test PDF and verify that link text remains legible and clickable. For related formatting, see Word character formatting shortcuts.

C P Gupta

C P Gupta is a YouTuber and Blogger. He is expert in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. His YouTube channel @pickupbrain is very popular and has crossed 9.9 Million Views.