Summary
The HYPERLINK function in Excel creates a shortcut that opens a document stored on a network server, an intranet, or the Internet, or it can open a new email message with a specified email address. This function is useful for creating dynamic links in a spreadsheet, allowing quick access to related documents, web pages, or email addresses directly from the Excel workbook.
Syntax
=HYPERLINK(link_location, [friendly_name])
- link_location: The path or URL of the file, web page, or email address to link to.
- friendly_name: [Optional] The text or numeric value that will be displayed in the cell. If omitted,
link_locationis used as the display text.
Return value
Returns a hyperlink attached to the specified cell.
How to use
To use the HYPERLINK function, specify the location you want to link to and, optionally, a friendly name for display. This function can link to a web page, a file on your network, or create an email template. The friendly name is what appears in the cell, making the link more readable.
Examples
Simple HYPERLINK
Linking to a Web Page:
=HYPERLINK("https://www.example.com", "Visit Example Website")
This formula creates a hyperlink to “https://www.example.com” and displays “Visit Example Website” in the cell.
HYPERLINK to Email
Creating an Email Link:
=HYPERLINK("mailto:example@example.com", "Send Email to Example")
This sets up a hyperlink that, when clicked, opens a new email message addressed to “example@example.com” with the display text “Send Email to Example”.
HYPERLINK to a Document
Linking to a Local File:
=HYPERLINK("C:\\Documents\\Report.xlsx", "Open Report")
This creates a link to a local file named “Report.xlsx”, and the cell displays “Open Report”.
Dynamic HYPERLINK
Dynamic Web Page Link:
=HYPERLINK("https://www.example.com/product/" & A1, "More Info on " & A1)
Assuming cell A1 contains a product code, this formula creates a dynamic link to a product-specific page on a website.
Additional Notes
- Ensure that the
link_locationis correctly formatted. For web links, it should includehttp://orhttps://. For file paths, it should be the full path to the file. - The HYPERLINK function can be combined with other functions for more dynamic and complex links.
- Be cautious with the links created in Excel, especially when linking to external websites or downloading files, to avoid security risks.