How to Make a Clickable URL to a Windows Folder

You can also create clickable picture icon links.

Inserting clickable URLs into word documents can give your report or presentation a more professional look. Clickable URLs direct readers right to the source that you are referencing in the material. They can also be designed to link readers to webpages, individual files or Windows folders. Also known as hyperlinks, these features eliminate the need for readers to search on their own for Windows folders, which, in turn, adds a convenient touch for readers.

Instructions

1. Double-click the mouse cursor on the word that you want to use as the clickable URL to the Windows folder. Double-clicking highlights the word. You can also select more than one word to turn a phrase or title into a hyperlink. Either way, the word or words must be highlighted to begin.

2. Identify the option for inserting a hyperlink in the menu bar. In some programs, this function is under the tab or menu item "Insert" and then has an option for "Hyperlink." After you locate this option a new window will appear on the screen, asking you to type in the URL address for the clickable link or to select a file to link to.

3. Look for the option to add a file to the link line. Click on the "Select" button, which opens up yet another window with all of the folders and files in your system. Browse through the folders until you find the one that you want. Select the folder with the cursor. This leads you to a list of the files inside that folder. Although you want to make a clickable link directly to the Windows folder, the program requires you to select a file first. Select any file in the folder. After you select a random file within the folder that you want to make the URL to, select the "OK" button.

4. Look at the file path that now appears in the text box of the window on your screen. Place your cursor at the very last character in the text box. Delete the name of the file you selected, with its name extension, so that the URL path in the text box ends with the name of the Windows folder. For example, if the URL path to the file that you selected is file://localhost/Users/YourName/Desktop/ImportantData/JDInfo.doc, you would delete the file name so that you end up with file://localhost/Users/YourName/Desktop/ImportantData, because "ImportantData" is the name of the folder that contains the file, and is the folder you want to link to.

5. Press "OK" or "Finish" in the window, which takes you back to the document. Place your cursor over the clickable URL and now the cursor should change from an arrow to a hand or other image to signify that the link is in place. Clicking on it will open a window listing the contents of that folder.

References

• Microsoft Office: Create a Hyperlink