Word users are getting a quality-of-life update that turns a tedious multi-step process into something instant

Microsoft Word is getting a new update that changes how you add hyperlinks to your documents. This may seem like a small change, but it saves a lot of time if you write reports, draft documents, or share resources with your team.

Before this update, linking a phrase required multiple steps. You had to highlight the text, right-click, select the Link option, copy your URL, paste it into a dialog box, and click OK. That’s at least four separate actions just to add one link. You could also use the shortcuts Ctrl+K or Cmd+K.

But even the shortcut felt slow compared to apps like Slack or Discord.  According to  How-To Geek, the update is already live in Word for the web and lets you turn selected text into a link by pasting the URL directly over it.

The new method makes linking text much faster and easier

Now the process is much simpler. First, copy the URL you want to use from your browser or clipboard. Then select the text you want to hyperlink in your Word document. With the text highlighted, just paste the URL. Word automatically recognizes it as a link and applies it to your selected words.

Jenny Ye, a Product Manager on the Word team, said the team believes “everyday tasks like hyperlinking text should feel effortless.” This new method helps you stay focused while writing. When working on a long document, stopping to navigate menus and dialog boxes breaks your concentration and slows you down.

This change removes unnecessary clicks and lets you focus on your writing instead of formatting tools. The time saved on each hyperlink adds up quickly, especially if you’re writing a technical document or bibliography with many citations. Microsoft has been improving its software in various ways, including what the company quietly added to smart TVs. You don’t have to worry about pasting the URL in the wrong place or accidentally deleting your text.

This feature is rolling out now, but it might not appear in your desktop version right away unless you’re running the correct build. If you use Word for the web, you should have access to it now. The company is also working on other projects, such as AI tools designed for healthcare professionals.

For the desktop app, you need specific versions. Windows users need Version 2511 or Build 19530.20006 or later. Mac users need Version 16.104 or Build 25120915 or later. If you’re part of the Microsoft 365 Insider program, you should already see these updates.