How to Make Text a Link in HTML, WordPress, Gmail, and Outlook

Published On - July 2, 2026

ivan Blogging

Links are tiny magic doors on the internet. You click some text, and poof, you land on another page, a file, an email, or even a map to the best tacos in town. The good news? Making text into a link is much easier than teaching a cat to fetch.

TLDR: To make text a link, highlight the words you want people to click, then add the web address. In HTML, you use the <a> tag. In WordPress, Gmail, and Outlook, you usually click the little chain icon. Always test your link before sending or publishing.

What Is a Text Link?

A text link is clickable text. It usually looks different from normal text. It might be blue. It might be underlined. Sometimes it changes color when you hover over it.

For example, instead of showing a long and messy address like:

https://www.example.com/super-long-page-name-with-words

You can show a clean link like:

Visit our website

Much nicer, right? Your readers do not have to stare at a scary web address. They just click the words.

How to Make Text a Link in HTML

HTML is the language that tells a web page what to show. To make a link in HTML, you use the anchor tag. It looks like this:

<a href="https://www.example.com">Click here</a>

Let’s break that little creature apart:

  • <a> starts the link.
  • href means “where should this link go?”
  • https://www.example.com is the destination.
  • Click here is the text people see.
  • </a> closes the link.

Here is a real example:

<a href="https://www.wikipedia.org">Visit Wikipedia</a>

That will show as:

Visit Wikipedia

You can also make links open in a new tab. That is helpful when you do not want people to leave your page completely.

<a href="https://www.example.com" target="_blank">Open in a new tab</a>

For better safety, add this too:

rel="noopener noreferrer"

So the full version becomes:

<a href="https://www.example.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Open in a new tab</a>

Pro tip: Do not use “click here” all the time. It is better to use clear words like read our pricing guide or download the menu. This helps people and search engines understand the link.

How to Make Text a Link in WordPress

WordPress makes linking feel like using a tiny remote control. No scary code needed.

Here is how to do it in the WordPress block editor:

  1. Open the page or post you want to edit.
  2. Type your text.
  3. Highlight the words you want to turn into a link.
  4. Click the link icon. It looks like a small chain.
  5. Paste or type the URL.
  6. Press Enter or click the apply button.
  7. Save or publish your page.

That is it. Your plain text has now put on a superhero cape.

You can also link to other pages on your own WordPress site. When you click the link icon, start typing the name of a post or page. WordPress may suggest it for you. Handy, yes?

If you want the link to open in a new tab, click the link settings. Then turn on Open in new tab. This option may look a little different depending on your WordPress theme or editor version.

How to Make Text a Link in Gmail

Gmail is great for links. You can make your email look clean instead of dumping a giant URL into someone’s inbox like a bowl of spaghetti.

Here is how to make text a link in Gmail:

  1. Open Gmail.
  2. Click Compose.
  3. Write your email.
  4. Highlight the text you want to link.
  5. Click the link icon at the bottom of the compose window.
  6. Paste the web address into the URL field.
  7. Click OK.

Example:

Instead of writing:

https://www.example.com/schedule-a-call

You can write:

Please schedule a call when you have time.

That looks cleaner. It also feels more friendly.

Quick Gmail tip: After you add the link, click it once in the draft. Gmail will show a small preview box. You can choose to change or remove the link if something looks weird.

How to Make Text a Link in Outlook

Outlook also uses the classic highlight-and-chain-icon method. It is simple once you know where to click.

Here is how to do it in Outlook on the web or desktop:

  1. Start a new email.
  2. Type your message.
  3. Highlight the text you want to make clickable.
  4. Click the Insert link button. It may look like a chain.
  5. Paste the URL into the address box.
  6. Click OK or Insert.

You can also use a keyboard shortcut in many versions of Outlook:

Ctrl + K on Windows

Command + K on Mac

This shortcut is a tiny power move. Highlight the text, press the shortcut, paste the URL, and you are done. You now look like an email wizard.

Best Practices for Better Links

Making a link is easy. Making a good link takes a little extra care. Here are simple rules to follow:

  • Use clear link text. Say where the link goes. “View the report” is better than “click here.”
  • Check the URL. One wrong letter can send people to nowhere land.
  • Do not link every word. Too many links make text feel jumpy and messy.
  • Use full web addresses. Include https:// when needed.
  • Test before sharing. Click your link and make sure it works.

Also, avoid suspicious-looking links. If your text says “free puppies” but the link goes to a tax form, people will not be happy. Be honest. The internet has enough confusion already.

Common Link Mistakes

Here are a few little gremlins to watch for:

  • Forgetting to paste the link. You highlighted the text, clicked the icon, then got distracted by snacks. It happens.
  • Adding spaces inside the URL. Web addresses do not enjoy random spaces.
  • Using broken links. Always test them.
  • Linking to private pages. If the reader needs special access, tell them.
  • Making vague links. Helpful text beats mystery text.

Final Thoughts

Turning text into a link is one of the most useful digital skills you can learn. In HTML, you use the trusty <a> tag. In WordPress, Gmail, and Outlook, you highlight the text and click the chain icon. Simple enough to do before your coffee gets cold.

Remember the golden rule: make links clear, useful, and honest. Your readers will thank you. Your emails will look cleaner. Your web pages will feel smoother. And your long, ugly URLs can finally go hide where they belong.