Cannot click to activate hyperlink (279090)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office Word 2003
  • Microsoft Word 2002
This article was previously published under Q279090

SYMPTOMS

When you click a hyperlink in a Microsoft Word document to activate it or to follow it to the intended location, nothing happens.

This problem may occur as in the following examples:
  • When you click a hyperlink similar to the following in a Word document, the hyperlink is not activated, and you are not directed to the specified location:

    http://www.microsoft.com

  • When you click a page number in a table of contents, nothing happens, and you are not directed to the selected page.
  • When you click a cross-reference in a Word document, nothing happens, and you are not directed to the intended location of the cross-reference.

CAUSE

This is a design change in Word and is consistent with some other Microsoft Office programs, such as Microsoft FrontPage.

RESOLUTION

To activate a hyperlink in a Word document, hold CTRL and click the hyperlink.

Note When you rest your mouse over a hyperlink, the ScreenTip displays the following message:

CTRL + click to follow link

To turn off this default functionality in Microsoft Word, turn off the Use CTRL + Click to follow hyperlink option. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  2. On the Edit tab, click to clear the Use CTRL + Click to follow hyperlink check box.
  3. Click OK to close the Options dialog box.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/25/2006
Keywords:kbprb KB279090
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