PowerPoint link to another slide

To link to another slide in PowerPoint, select the text, shape, or picture you want to link, open the Link tool from the Insert tab, and click Place in This Document. From there, select the target slide title and click OK to create a direct intra-presentation navigation link.

Why Use Slide Links in PowerPoint?

In a linear presentation flow, simply advancing to the next slide is not always enough. In extensive presentations, Q&A sessions, table of contents menus, or slides containing supplementary data tables, the presenter may need to navigate freely between slides.

PowerPoint automatically identifies every slide in the presentation with a bookmark. Thanks to this feature, a hyperlink can be established from any slide in the presentation to any other slide. Clicking the hyperlink while presenting immediately jumps to the target slide. This flow allows you to reach the sought-after information directly without disrupting the audience's focus. For broader navigation setups, you can also explore alternative transition methods in our jump to a specific slide in a PowerPoint presentation article.

Preparation Before Adding a Link

Before starting to add hyperlinks, it is helpful to review the organization of your presentation file:

It is recommended that target slides have distinct titles. PowerPoint lists Slide Titles in the document destination selection list. Slides without titles may appear in the list hierarchy in a way that makes them difficult to distinguish.

Determine the type of element that will carry the link. A hyperlink can be assigned not only to plain text, but also to a shape or a picture located on the slide. This makes it possible to turn shapes into menu buttons.

If you are working with a different presentation program, the steps may vary depending on the interface; for a similar structure, you can consult our linking to another slide in Google Slides guide.

Steps to Add a Slide Hyperlink on Windows and the Web

According to official steps provided by Microsoft, adding a link to a slide within the same presentation is a straightforward process (Microsoft Support):

1. Select the text, shape, or picture you want to use as a hyperlink.

1. Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon and follow Link > Insert Link.

1. In the dialog box that opens, select Place in This Document, or This Presentation in the web version.

1. In the Select a place in this document area, expand the Slide Titles section if necessary and click the slide you want to link to.

1. Optionally edit the Text to display box and enter a ScreenTip text to appear when hovering over the link with the mouse.

1. Click OK, or Insert in the Web version, to confirm your selection.

Creating a Slide Link on macOS

In the PowerPoint for macOS application, the steps for adding a navigation link work with a similar logic to the Windows version (Microsoft Support):

1. Select the text, shape, or picture that will serve as the link.

1. Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon and click Link.

1. In the dialog window that opens, select This Document.

1. Expand the list by clicking the expand icon next to Slide Titles located in the Select a place in this document list.

1. Select the target slide and click OK.

According to official documentation, PowerPoint for macOS does not support creating a hyperlink to a specific standalone slide located in another presentation file; linking to another presentation can only be done at the file level.

Customizing Hyperlink Appearance and Color

The color of text assigned as a hyperlink typically takes on the theme's default link color. If you want to change this color or match your presentation design, you can follow these steps:

1. Select the hyperlink text whose color you want to change.

1. Switch to the Home tab on the ribbon.

1. Open the color palette by clicking the down arrow next to the Font Color button.

1. Select the new color you want to use for your hyperlink.

This way, the text retains its hyperlink functionality while preserving the visual harmony of the slide.

Example Scenario: Product Launch Table of Contents Menu

In this hypothetical example, a fictional product launch presentation consisting of 15 slides is examined. Slide 2 of the presentation is designed as the main agenda menu:

• Agenda Item 1: The text "Q4 Revenue Expectations (Fictional Q4 Data)" inside the text box is selected -> Destination: Slide 8 ("Financial Summary").

• Agenda Item 2: The text "Technical Architecture and Infrastructure" inside the text box is selected -> Destination: Slide 11 ("System Diagram").

• Return Button: A small square shape is added to Slide 8 and Slide 11, and this shape is selected directly -> Destination: Slide 2 ("Agenda and Table of Contents").

In this setup, the presenter can jump directly to Slide 8 by clicking the text on Slide 2, and return directly to the main menu after finishing their explanations by clicking the square shape.

Methods for Testing and Verifying Hyperlinks

PowerPoint offers two different methods to verify that the slide hyperlinks you created work correctly (Microsoft Support):

In Normal Editing View: Right-click the text or object you linked and select Open Hyperlink from the context menu that opens. PowerPoint will take you to the target slide immediately.

In Slide Show Mode: Switch to Slide Show view. When you arrive at the slide containing the hyperlink, hover the mouse pointer over the link. The cursor changes to a hand icon with a pointing index finger. When you click, the target slide opens instantly.

To test in the web version, you can use the Play from Beginning command from the Slide Show tab on the ribbon, or start the Slide Show from the View tab if the Simplified Ribbon is turned off.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting Tips

Attention should be paid to the following details for situations that may arise during link addition or execution:

Difference Between Text Selection and Shape Selection: If you select only a specific word and add a link, the hyperlink is assigned to that word. When the outer border of a shape or text box is selected, the entire object becomes a hyperlink.

"Show and return" Option Inactive: The Show and return checkbox in the hyperlink window will not be enabled and will appear grayed out unless you link to a Custom Show in your presentation.

Using ScreenTips: Adding a brief description about the target slide in the ScreenTip box when adding a hyperlink is a helpful method for accessibility and providing reminders during the presentation.

Checklist

• Was the text, shape, or picture to be linked selected on the slide?
• Was the Link tool opened from the Insert tab and Place in This Document, This Document on macOS, or This Presentation on the Web selected?
• Was the correct target slide selected from the Slide Titles list?
• Was ScreenTip text optionally added?
• Was the hyperlink text color adjusted from the Font Color area on the Home tab if necessary?
• Was a test performed by right-clicking in Normal view and selecting Open Hyperlink, or by clicking in Slide Show mode?

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I test a slide hyperlink without starting the Slide Show?

While in normal editing view, you can go directly to the target slide by right-clicking the hyperlink and selecting "Open Hyperlink" from the menu that opens.

Can slide links be assigned to images or shapes in addition to text?

Yes. In PowerPoint, intra-slide hyperlinks can be added not only to text, but also to shapes and pictures located on the slide by following the same menu steps.

Can I link to a specific slide in another presentation on macOS?

No. According to official documentation, PowerPoint for macOS does not support creating a direct hyperlink to a specific slide inside another presentation file; linking to another presentation can only be done at the file level.