Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Weird Hyperlink Behavior.
Has this ever happened to you? You go to insert a hyperlink in your document (either by inserting it or copying it from another location) and the URL for the hyperlink appears with brackets and the word "hypertext" in front of it. What's going on?
The solution is quite simple, if you understand how Word handles hyperlinks behind-the-scenes. Hyperlinks are managed through the use of field codes. Chances are good that this weird behavior is an indication that you are seeing the field code for the hyperlink, instead of the result of that field code (just the link itself).
Try this the next time you see the weird hyperlink: just move the insertion point somewhere between the two brackets and press Shift+F9. The field code for the hyperlink should disappear, replaced with the actual text you have associated with the link. The Shift+F9 shortcut controls the one field code under the insertion point. If you want to display the results of all field codes in your document, instead of viewing the codes themselves, press Alt+F9. You can also follow these steps:
Figure 1. The View tab of the Options dialog box.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (46) applies to Microsoft Word 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Weird Hyperlink Behavior.
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2017-09-16 10:59:39
Herman
Thank you, problem solved.
Herman
2016-08-08 13:12:57
Mary
This is a great tip. Thanks!!
2015-10-21 09:00:22
Mr Taoussi
Hi guys,
I have the same Weird Hyperlink Behavior but in Microsoft Outlook.
Could you please help.
Many thanks
2015-09-10 03:40:29
Rajkumar
Awesome it worked.
I was struggling to get this sorted since long time and even our IT dept couldn't crack this.
Thanks a lot :)
2015-02-24 13:23:59
Pat
Worked!! Thank you!
2014-10-02 20:23:04
Susana
Thanks! smart solution....
2014-09-10 14:31:48
CAROL
Genius!
2014-02-04 17:28:05
TimR
Thankyou sooooo much. Sanity has been restored!
2014-01-21 06:34:41
Sandeep Padelkar
Awesome solution. I was struggling with this from long time and very frustrated with all links.
Thank you very much.
2014-01-09 01:18:08
Keisha-Marie
This was THEE most helpful advise I've ever come across online. The instructions were accurate and fixed the issue immediately. I was growing increasingly annoyed with it. Thank you!
2014-01-07 15:58:22
Pete
Thank you, that was it!
2013-08-27 11:04:56
JLR
This tip does not seem to work for Word for Mac 2011, version 14.3.6 which I recently installed. The hyperlink texts now show up even on old documents in addition to new ones being created. Is this a bug?
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: 
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