How to Change Hyperlink Color in PowerPoint: Easy Guide

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Trish Dixon

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Changing the hyperlink color in PowerPoint is a straightforward process that can enhance the visual appeal of your presentation. Whether you want to match your brand colors or simply ensure that your links stand out, adjusting the color of hyperlinks can make a significant difference. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to change hyperlink colors in PowerPoint, ensuring your presentation is both professional and engaging.

Table of contents

Hyperlinks are a powerful tool in any presentation, guiding your audience to additional resources, references, or other sections within the document. However, the default hyperlink color may not always align with your presentation’s design. Changing the hyperlink color can:

  • Improve readability
  • Enhance visual coherence
  • Match your branding
  • Draw attention to important links

Before we proceed with changing hyperlink colors, it’s important to understand PowerPoint’s default settings. By default, hyperlinks in PowerPoint are usually blue, and visited hyperlinks are purple. These colors are designed to be visible and distinguishable, but they may not always complement your slide design.

Default Color Settings

  • Unvisited Hyperlink: Blue (#0000FF)
  • Visited Hyperlink: Purple (#800080)

These colors can clash with certain themes or color schemes, prompting the need for customization.

Step 1: Open Your PowerPoint Presentation

The first step is to open the PowerPoint presentation where you want to change the hyperlink color. Ensure that the presentation is in Normal View so you can easily access the slides and their components.

Step 2: Navigate to the “Design” Tab

Once your presentation is open, go to the Design tab in the ribbon at the top of the screen. The Design tab allows you to manage the overall look and feel of your presentation, including themes and colors.

Step 3: Access the “Colors” Drop-Down Menu

Within the Design tab, look for the Variants group, typically located on the right side of the ribbon. Click on the Colors drop-down menu to access a list of color schemes.

Step 4: Customize the Color Scheme

In the Colors drop-down menu, scroll down and select Customize Colors. This action will open the Create New Theme Colors dialog box, where you can customize various color settings, including hyperlink colors.

Within the Create New Theme Colors dialog box, you will see options to change different elements of your theme. Look for the options labeled Hyperlink and Followed Hyperlink.

  • Hyperlink: This setting controls the color of unvisited links.
  • Followed Hyperlink: This setting controls the color of visited links.

Click on the color box next to each option and choose your desired color from the palette. You can also use the More Colors option to select a custom color using RGB or HSL values.

Step 6: Save Your Custom Theme

After selecting your desired colors, give your custom color scheme a name by typing it into the Name field at the bottom of the dialog box. Click Save to apply the changes.

Step 7: Apply the New Theme to Your Presentation

Your new color scheme is now saved and can be applied to any slide within your presentation. The hyperlink color will automatically update to reflect the changes you made.

Step 8: Check Your Presentation

After applying the new hyperlink colors, it’s important to review your presentation to ensure that the links are clearly visible and consistent throughout all slides.

While changing the hyperlink color across the entire presentation is efficient, there may be instances where you want to adjust the color for a single slide. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Select the Slide

Navigate to the specific slide where you want to change the hyperlink color.

Click on the hyperlink text you want to change. Ensure that only the hyperlink is highlighted.

Step 3: Use the Font Color Tool

In the Home tab, locate the Font group. Here, you will find the Font Color tool, which allows you to change the color of the selected text. Click the drop-down arrow next to the Font Color tool and choose your desired color.

Step 4: Apply and Review

Once you’ve selected your new color, click outside the text box to apply the change. Review the slide to ensure the hyperlink color is visible and suits the design.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even though changing hyperlink colors in PowerPoint is usually straightforward, you might encounter some issues. Below are some common problems and how to resolve them.

If the hyperlink color doesn’t change after following the steps above, the issue might be due to a theme override or incorrect selection of text. Make sure you’re working within the correct slide master or theme and that the text selected is indeed a hyperlink.

Solution: Reapply the Hyperlink

Delete the existing hyperlink and reapply it after changing the color settings. This often resolves any glitches.

Issue 2: Color Reverts After Saving

Sometimes, the hyperlink color may revert to the default after saving and reopening the presentation.

Solution: Save the Theme

To prevent this, make sure to save your custom color theme properly and apply it to the slide master. This will ensure consistency across your presentation.

1. Use Contrasting Colors

Always choose a hyperlink color that contrasts well with your slide background. This ensures that your links are easily visible and accessible to your audience.

2. Consider Color Blindness

When selecting colors, consider those with color blindness. Use tools like Color Oracle or Adobe Color to choose accessible color schemes.

3. Keep Branding Consistent

If your presentation is part of a larger brand, ensure that the hyperlink colors align with your brand guidelines. This will create a cohesive and professional look.

4. Test on Different Devices

Before finalizing your presentation, test it on different devices (e.g., computers, tablets, projectors) to ensure that the hyperlink colors appear as intended.

While hyperlinks are useful, too many on a single slide can be overwhelming. Use them sparingly and ensure they are relevant to the content.

Hyperlink colors can also be used strategically for navigation within your PowerPoint presentation. By assigning different colors to internal links (like those leading to other slides) versus external links (those leading to websites), you can guide your audience effectively.

Creating a Custom Navigation System

Here’s how you can create a custom navigation system using hyperlink colors:

  • Step 1: Decide on your color scheme. For instance, use blue for external links and green for internal links.
  • Step 2: Follow the steps above to change the hyperlink colors accordingly.
  • Step 3: Use Action Buttons or text with hyperlinks to create a menu or table of contents.
  • Step 4: Test the navigation to ensure that it works smoothly and is intuitive for users.

Final Thoughts

Changing the hyperlink color in PowerPoint is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your presentation. Whether you’re looking to improve readability, match your brand colors, or create a custom navigation system, adjusting hyperlink colors can significantly impact the effectiveness of your slides. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily customize your hyperlink colors to suit your presentation needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

To change the color of a hyperlink in PowerPoint, go to the “Design” tab, select “Colors,” and then choose “Customize Colors.” From there, you can modify the “Hyperlink” and “Followed Hyperlink” colors to your desired options.

Yes, you can change the hyperlink color for a single slide by highlighting the hyperlink text, going to the “Home” tab, and using the “Font Color” tool to select a new color.

If the hyperlink color doesn’t change, it could be due to a theme override or an incorrect selection of the text. Make sure you’re working within the correct slide master or theme, and that the text selected is indeed a hyperlink.

To ensure consistent hyperlink colors, save your custom theme after making changes and apply it to the slide master. This will keep the colors uniform across your presentation.

Yes, you can use different colors for different types of hyperlinks, such as internal links and external links, by customizing them individually in the “Create New Theme Colors” dialog box.

To test your presentation for hyperlink color visibility, preview it on different devices, such as computers and projectors, to ensure the hyperlinks are visible and consistent across all slides.

Trish Dixon
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