Mark wants to have a ScreenTip appear when someone hovers the mouse pointer over a word in his document. The problem is, when he tries to create a ScreenTip using the Insert Hyperlink dialog box he can't create a ScreenTip unless he provides a destination (such as a path, bookmark, or URL). Without the destination, the OK button remains grayed out.
This behavior, as described, is built into Word and there doesn't seem to be a way around it. There are several workarounds that could be tried, but perhaps the best solution is to simply create a hyperlink that goes nowhere. Follow these steps:
Figure 1. The Bookmark dialog box.
Figure 2. The Insert Hyperlink dialog box.
Figure 3. The Set Hyperlink ScreenTip dialog box.
Now when someone hovers over the word or phrase (from step 1), the ScreenTip appears. If they decide to "follow" the hyperlink, all they do is end up right back at the bookmark you defined in step 3—your original word or phrase.
Of course, the phrase you selected when you created the hyperlink will appear as a link—normally blue underlined text. If you don't want this type of treatment, apply a different format to the hyperlinked phrase or change the characteristics of the Hyperlink style.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (3779) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: ScreenTips without Hyperlinks.
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2019-06-12 12:01:51
DL
Is there a way to display a picture when you hover over text? If it's not possible using hover over, is it possible to show/hide a picture by clicking an object in word?
2016-06-07 13:36:23
Eleatic
I've trying to get screen tips to activate--most preferably over links and footnote numbers--in Word 2016 for Mac, and none appear. They did appear at first when the program was installed. I can't find any setting by which they are controlled. Your guidance would be appreciated.
2015-12-08 07:23:04
Ajay Jain
Thanks for the work around. I still need to figure out how to get past the "Ctrl click to follow link" text. Is there a way to mask this text?
2015-03-12 17:22:54
Useful
Would it work for you to instead use Word's "Comments" function?
Comments can be set to appear when moused over, NOT in the right margin.
2015-03-06 02:16:41
sam
Exactly what i was looking for, much appreciated.
2014-10-28 05:47:04
Rolf D. Erbst
Hi
I have tried to make a screenTip using word. And it works OK. But it is annoying that the text "Ctrl click to follow link" pops up.
Any idea how to get rid of this?
With kind regards
Rolf
2014-04-02 18:43:53
Debbie
this isn't what I was looking for, but wanted to tell you how much I appreciated being given time to look at the content on this page for a minute or two before your "subscribe to my newsletter" window popped up. usually I haven't had time to read a word (to know if the content has any value) before I get asked so it's a become a habit to just say no. glad you are different. i'll be back.
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