How To Remove Hyperlinks In Excel

by Jacky Chou
Updated on

Key Takeaway:

  • Excel contains two types of hyperlinks: inserted hyperlinks and automatic hyperlinks. Inserted hyperlinks are manually created, while automatic hyperlinks are created automatically by Excel.
  • To remove inserted hyperlinks in Excel, you can right-click on the hyperlink and select “Remove Hyperlink”. Alternatively, you can select the cell containing the hyperlink and press “Ctrl” + “K” to bring up the “Edit Hyperlink” dialog box, where you can remove the hyperlink.
  • To turn off automatic hyperlink creation in Excel, you can go to the “File” tab, select “Options”, then select “Proofing” and click “AutoCorrect Options”. From there, you can uncheck the “Internet and network paths with hyperlink” option.

Key Takeaway:

  • Removing hyperlinks in Excel can improve the readability and organization of your spreadsheets, making it easier to navigate and understand the data. It can also prevent errors caused by accidentally clicking on hyperlinks.
  • By removing hyperlinks, you can also reduce the file size of your Excel workbook and speed up the performance of your spreadsheet.
  • When working with large datasets or collaborative projects, it is important to ensure that hyperlinks are used only when necessary and are formatted correctly to prevent mistakes and confusion.

Key Takeaway:

  • Removing hyperlinks in Excel is a simple process that can be done quickly with a few clicks or keyboard shortcuts. By taking the time to learn how to remove hyperlinks, you can improve the functionality and usability of your Excel workbooks.
  • It is recommended to remove hyperlinks from cells that do not require linking to external resources, such as website URLs or email addresses. This can prevent accidental clicking and ensure the accuracy and reliability of your data.
  • Regularly cleaning up your Excel worksheets by removing unnecessary hyperlinks can result in a more organized and efficient workflow, saving you time and effort in the long run.

Struggling to untangle your data from a tangle of hyperlinks? You’re not alone! Discover how to clean up your spreadsheets with our easy guide on how to remove hyperlinks in Excel.

Types of Hyperlinks in Excel

There are various types of hyperlinks that are present in Excel, each serving a different purpose. These hyperlinks can be categorized based on the type of link destination, such as web pages, email addresses, or other locations within the same file. Additionally, hyperlinks can also be classified based on whether they are absolute or relative. Absolute hyperlinks include the complete URL of the linked location, while relative hyperlinks only include the address of the linked location relative to the current location.

Types of Hyperlinks in Excel:

Type of HyperlinkDescription
Web pageLinks to a specific webpage
EmailLinks to an email address
FileLinks to another file
Location within the same fileLinks to another location within the same file
AbsoluteIncludes the complete URL of the linked location
RelativeIncludes the address of the linked location relative to the current location

It is important to note that hyperlinks can also have different appearances, such as text, images, or shapes. These appearances can be customized to suit the user’s preference or to make the hyperlinks more noticeable.

When dealing with hyperlinks, it is important to keep in mind the potential security risks they can pose, such as phishing attacks or malware downloads. It is advisable to only click on links from trusted sources and to verify the destination before clicking.

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Types of Hyperlinks in Excel-How to Remove Hyperlinks in Excel,

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How to Remove Hyperlinks in Excel

Removing hyperlinks in Excel can be a simple task if you know the right steps to take. This article will guide you through the process of removing hyperlinks in Excel in a professional manner.

To remove hyperlinks in Excel, follow these 3 easy steps:

  1. Select the cell or cells containing the hyperlinks that you want to remove.
  2. Right-click on the selected cell and choose “Remove Hyperlinks” from the drop-down menu.
  3. The hyperlinks will be removed, and you will be left with only the text in the cell(s).

It’s important to note that this process will only remove the hyperlink and not the text that was hyperlinked. Additionally, if you want to remove hyperlinks from an entire column, you can select the entire column and follow the same steps.

It’s worth mentioning that Excel also offers a keyboard shortcut to remove hyperlinks. Simply select the cell(s) containing the hyperlinks and press “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “F9”.

Did you know that Excel also allows you to turn off automatic hyperlinking? By going to the “File” tab, selecting “Options”, and then “Proofing”, you can deselect the option for “Internet and network paths with hyperlinks”. This will prevent Excel from automatically turning text into hyperlinks.

How to Remove Hyperlinks in Excel-How to Remove Hyperlinks in Excel,

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Benefits of Removing Hyperlinks

Removing hyperlinks from Excel spreadsheets can be highly beneficial, improving the overall clarity and functionality of the document. Here are some of the advantages of removing hyperlinks:

  • Easier navigation: The absence of hyperlinks in an Excel document makes it easier for users to navigate through the different cells and columns without being accidentally directed to external web pages.
  • Improved readability: Removing hyperlinks from an Excel spreadsheet can significantly streamline its appearance, making it easier to read and comprehend the data without any distractions.
  • Enhanced data analysis: With hyperlinks removed, the data within the spreadsheet can be analyzed more accurately, without skewing the numbers due to inadvertent clicks on outside sources.
  • Minimized errors: Removing hyperlinks can minimize the risk of unintentional changes to the data and formulae, reducing the chances of errors and improving overall accuracy.

It’s also important to note that while hyperlinks can be useful, they can also be distracting and take away from the overall value of the spreadsheet. By removing them, users can focus solely on the data at hand and avoid any unnecessary diversions.

To remove hyperlinks in Excel, users can utilize the “Remove Hyperlinks” option located in the “Editing” section of the “Home” tab. Alternatively, users can select the cell or range of cells from which they want to remove hyperlinks, and then press the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl + Shift + F9”.

Overall, being able to remove hyperlinks in Excel can greatly improve the overall functionality and clarity of the document, and can lead to improved analysis and accuracy. By utilizing the simple and straightforward removal methods available in Excel, users can eliminate any unnecessary distractions and optimize the data within the spreadsheet.

Benefits of Removing Hyperlinks-How to Remove Hyperlinks in Excel,

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Some Facts About How To Remove Hyperlinks in Excel:

  • ✅ You can remove hyperlinks from a single cell or an entire column/row at once in Excel. (Source: Microsoft Support)
  • ✅ To remove a hyperlink from a cell, right-click on the cell and select “Remove Hyperlink”. (Source: How-To Geek)
  • ✅ To remove hyperlinks from a column/row, select the column/row, go to “Data” tab, click on “Data Tools”, and select “Remove Hyperlinks”. (Source: Excel Easy)
  • ✅ You can also use a formula like =HYPERLINK(“”,””) to remove hyperlinks from cells. (Source: Ablebits)
  • ✅ It’s important to remove hyperlinks in Excel to avoid accidentally clicking on them and to clean up the appearance of your data. (Source: Techwalla)

FAQs about How To Remove Hyperlinks In Excel

How to Remove Hyperlinks in Excel?

Microsoft Excel automatically creates hyperlinks when you enter a web address or email address into a cell. The following steps will help remove hyperlinks in Excel:

  1. Select the cell(s) containing the hyperlink(s) you want to remove.
  2. Press the Ctrl + Shift + F9 keys on your keyboard.
  3. The hyperlink(s) will be removed, but the cell(s) will still have their values (if any).

Why do I need to remove hyperlinks in Excel?

You might need to remove hyperlinks in Excel because they can sometimes interfere with other formulas or functions in your spreadsheet. They can also be distracting or take up unnecessary space if you’re using Excel for something other than browsing the web or sending emails.

How do I prevent Excel from creating hyperlinks?

You can prevent Excel from creating hyperlinks by doing the following:

  1. Click on the “File” tab in the Excel Ribbon.
  2. Select “Options” from the left-hand menu.
  3. Click on the “Proofing” category on the left-hand side.
  4. Click on the “AutoCorrect Options” button.
  5. Click on the “AutoFormat As You Type” tab.
  6. Uncheck the “Internet and network paths with hyperlinks” option.
  7. Click “OK” to save your changes and exit the “AutoCorrect” dialog box.

Can I remove hyperlinks using VBA macros?

Yes, you can use VBA macros to remove hyperlinks in Excel. Here is the code:

Sub RemoveHyperlinks()
    Dim cell As Range
    For Each cell In Selection.Cells
        If cell.Hyperlinks.Count > 0 Then
            cell.Hyperlinks.Delete
        End If
    Next cell
End Sub

How do I remove hyperlinks permanently in Excel?

If you want to permanently remove hyperlinks in Excel, you can use the “Paste Values” feature:

  1. Select the cell(s) containing the hyperlink(s) you want to remove.
  2. Copy the cell(s) using the Ctrl + C keys on your keyboard.
  3. Right-click in the destination cell(s) and select “Paste Values” from the pop-up menu.
  4. The hyperlink(s) will be removed and the values will remain in their place.

Why are the hyperlinks not being removed in Excel?

There are several factors that could prevent hyperlinks from being removed in Excel:

  • The cell might not contain a hyperlink.
  • Excel might be set to automatically re-add hyperlinks (check your AutoCorrect options).
  • You might not have sufficient permissions to modify the spreadsheet.
  • The hyperlink might be located in a protected cell, worksheet, or workbook.

Auther name

Jacky Chou is an electrical engineer turned marketer. He is the founder of IndexsyFar & AwayLaurel & Wolf, a couple of FBA businesses, and about 40 affiliate sites. He is a proud native of Vancouver, BC, who has been featured on Entrepreneur.comForbesOberlo, and GoDaddy.