How do I make hyperlinks accessible in Microsoft Word
So you want to make your hyperlinks accessible? There are a few rules about hyperlinks for text. These exist because of how they interact with assistive technology. You can also apply hyperlinks to images and other elements.
Video Guide
Things to avoid
- Full urls like http://www.theaccessibilityguy.com
- Vague language like Click here and More info
How does a screen reader interact with a link?
It depends on the software but JAWS will pull up a list of links that a user can select from. The list is generated by the on screen text that is the link. It is important that your links are clear and concise and tell the user where they are going before they are interacted with.
How to make hyperlinks accessible in Microsoft Word
- Select the text you want to make a link
- Right click and select Link
- Enter in an address
- Select Ok

Let me be your champion for inclusion. I offer tailored solutions (and self-paced courses!) to ensure your documents meet and exceed compliance expectations. For more detailed insights, tutorials, and in-depth discussions on accessibility and related topics, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel: The Accessibility Guy on YouTube. Subscribe for regular updates!

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