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Step 1 - What is a Hyperlink ?

A hyperlink is a link from a document that opens another page or file when you click it.

The destination is frequently another Web page, but it can also be a picture, or an e-mail address, or a program.

A hyperlink in an Excel workbook behaves just like a hyperlink would in a Web browser.

The hyperlink itself can be text or a picture.

When you point to text or a picture that contains a hyperlink, the pointer becomes a hand , indicating that the text or picture is something you can click.

Step 2 - What is a URL?

When you create a hyperlink, its destination is encoded as a Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

A URL is an address that specifies a protocol (such as HTTP or FTP) and a location of an object, document, web page, or other destination on the Internet or an intranet.

HTTP - Hypertext Transfer Protocol. Internet protocol that delivers information on the World Wide Web

FTP - File Transfer Protocol. Allows users to transfer files and folders between remote locations on a network.

Every URL can be split into four distinct components:

Step 3 - What can hyperlinks be used for?

You can use hyperlinks for any of the following:

Navigate to a file or Web page on a network, intranet (intranet: A network within an organization that uses Internet technologies (such as the HTTP or FTP protocol). By using hyperlinks, you can explore objects, documents, pages, and other destinations on the intranet.) or Internet

Navigate to a file or Web page that you plan to create in the future

Send an e-mail message

Start a file transfer, such as downloading or an FTP (FTP: A communication protocol that makes it possible for a user to transfer files between remote locations on a network. This protocol also allows users to use FTP commands, such as listing files and folders, to work with files on a remote location.) process

Step 4 - Creating a Hyperlink

There are several ways you can create hyperlinks in your worksheets.

Using Automatic AutoCorrect

Using (Insert > Hyperlink)

Using the HYPERLINK() worksheet function.

Step 5 - Automatically Converting

Any cell value that starts with "www." will automatically be converted to a hyperlink.

You can turn your URL's into hyperlinks by changing the AutoCorrect options.

(Tools > AutoCorrect > Options)(AutoFormat as you type, "Internet and Network Paths with Hyperlinks")

Step 6 - Using (Insert > Hyperlink)

Select the cell or text and select (Insert > Hyperlink).

Alternatively you can use the shortcut key (Ctrl + K ) to display this dialog box.

Enter the text you want to display at the top and the URL at the bottom.

Existing File or web page - This allows you to create a link to a website or to an existing file.

Place in this document -

Create new document -

Email address -

Current folder -

Browsed pages -

Recent files -

Step 7 - Using Graphics and Objects

It is possible to attach hyperlinks to pictures and graphics as well as text.

Select the object or graphic and select (Insert > Hyperlink).

To edit a shape with a hyperlink associated with it select it holding down the "Ctrl" key.

Step 8 - Things to Remember

To edit a cell hyperlink without activating it hold down the Ctrl Key while selecting.

You can easily remove a Hyperlink by right mouse clicking and selecting "Remove Hyperlink" from the shortcut menu.

You cannot assign a hyperlink to any cells within a PivotTable, as the data is subject to change.