Whether you’re writing an article for a blog or a report for work in Google Docs, you may want to add links to the content to direct users to other relevant information.
When users click these links, the page will jump to the specific section of the document that the link is pointing to. Or open the URL in a new tab if the link is for an external web page.
This saves you the trouble of having to add that information directly to the document, which can drastically increase your word count and cause readers to lose interest.
However, adding hyperlinks in their natural state can make your document look cluttered and unprofessional. It makes better sense to rename the link so it’s aesthetically pleasing and easier to read.
Even in cases where a link has already been created, you may need to rename the link for various reasons. This could be because you want to edit the anchor text to say something else. Or because you want to swap one link for another or you made an error with the link that needs correcting.
Regardless of your motivations, changing a hyperlink is not a complicated business. This guide will show you how to rename a link in Google Docs in a few straightforward steps whenever the need arises.
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Steps to Rename a Link in Google Docs
Assuming you have a Google Docs file with a hyperlink that you want to rename or edit, follow the steps outlined below to carry out the intended action on your desktop.
1. Open the Google Docs document containing the link you want to rename
The first thing you need to do is open the Google Docs file containing the link you want to rename. You can do this by logging into your Google Drive/Google Docs account and clicking on the document in question.
2. Click on the hyperlink you want to edit
Once the document opens, scroll down the page until you come across the link you want to change, then tap on it.
A pop-up tab featuring three icons will appear. The first clipboard icon is used for copying the link. The pencil icon in the middle is for editing the link. The final icon that looks like an eye with a line running through it is for removing links.
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If you’re opening the Google Docs file on mobile rather than desktop, the pop-up tab options will be Open, Edit link, and Remove link.
3. Click on the pencil icon that appears to edit the link
Seeing as your goal is to rename the link, not copy or remove it, this falls under editing. So you’ll want to click on the Pencil icon.
If you’re using the Google Docs mobile app, click on Edit Link.
This action will open up another pop-up page tab that will bring you one step closer to changing the name on the hyperlink.
4. In the “Text” field, enter the new name for the link
On the pop-up tab that opens, you’ll see three fields: one that reads “Text“, one that features a Search icon 🔍, and another that just contains a bunch of clickable URLs.
To change the name of the link, click on the Text field to activate it. If the text field contains information, you’ll need to clear the existing text using your backspace key before you enter the new anchor text you want the link to have.
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But if it’s empty you can go straight ahead to type in the name for the link. This new text is what will show in place of the full URL.
Google Docs usually underlines and displays the anchor text in blue color to show that it has a hyperlink embedded within it. This sets it apart from the rest of the plain text in the article.
If you want to edit the URL, click on the field with the Search icon. You can either make corrections to the existing URL or delete it and search for or paste in a new URL to change the link destination.
Alternatively, if you’ve recently visited or copied the URL you want to add, Google Docs will display it in the field below the URL box. So instead of pasting the link into the box directly, you can click on it and it will be automatically added to the URL field.
5. Click “Apply” to save your changes
Once you’re satisfied with the edits you’ve made, click Apply to complete the process and allow the changes to go into effect.
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For the mobile app, click the Check ✔️ mark to save your changes.
Voila! You’ve successfully renamed your Google Docs link.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an anchor text?
Anchor text refers to clickable text that your link is attached to.
It’s the text you use to indicate to readers that you have added a hyperlink that they can check out if they wish to learn more about the subject matter you’re discussing or referencing.
How can I change the color of a link in Google Docs?
If, like me, you’re not a fan of the default blue color that Google Docs uses for its hyperlinks, you don’t have to stick with it forever.
You can change the link color by selecting the anchor text, then scrolling to the menu bar and clicking the Text color button (A).
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From there, you can pick the color you want to change the link to from the displayed options.
For mobile, click the A button at the top or bottom of the screen, then choose Text Color from the menu that opens up, and switch to your preferred link color.
How do I remove a hyperlink in Google Docs?
To remove a link in Google Docs, simply open the file, and scroll to where the link is. Click on the link to reveal the pop-up tab and select the third icon (the one with the crossed-out eye) from the options. The link will be deactivated and the anchor text will become plain text.
If you’re using Google Docs on mobile, select Remove link to cancel the hyperlink.
What is the keyboard shortcut for adding links in Google Docs?
You can cut down the steps it takes to add a link in Google Docs using the Ctrl + K command.
After selecting the text you want to add a link to, press Ctrl + K on your keyboard. This will open up the URL field so you can paste the link or search for it.
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How do I stop Google Docs from automatically turning URLs into hyperlinks?
Google Docs turns any web address that you type in your document to a clickable link automatically. If you want to change the default setting to keep this from happening, scroll to the menu bar and select Tools, followed by Preferences.
Uncheck the box for Automatically detect links and click OK. Google will stop automatically converting links for you from now on.
What do I do if I want to link to a different URL?
There may be times you wish to swap out one link for another because the page you’re linking to has moved or been taken down so the current link no longer works.
Or maybe you just found a superior page with information that you think will benefit readers more.
You can delete the existing link and replace it with a new one. All you have to do is click on the linked text, tap the Pencil tab, erase the current link, and submit the new one, then click Apply to save the change.
Why am I not seeing a Change or Remove option when trying to rename a link in Google Docs?
If you’re using Google Docs on mobile you’ll see options to Open, Edit link, and Remove link when you click on a hyperlink. However, Google Docs has long since upgraded the interface for the desktop version of the product.
So unless you somehow find an ancient version of the app, you can expect to see the Pencil icon where the Change option used to be. And the Eye icon with the line through it where Remove used to be.
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Conclusion
As you can see, editing and renaming links in Google Docs is not rocket science. You can easily accomplish this on your own even if you are not technically proficient. All you have to do is follow the steps and you will have your document looking organized and in shape in no time.
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