MS Excel Chapter 7: Links

Owned by Daniel LaGrow, created
Last updated: Apr 05, 2024
3 min read

 Instructions

Section 7.1: Rules for Making Links

Rule 1: All links should stand out from other text.

A link to SUNY Fredonia that does not stand out from the regular text.

This link blends into the text around it. A person using a screen reader or someone with low vision may have a hard time finding the link.

A link to SUNY Fredonia that is blue and underlined to stand out from the text.

This link is colored blue and stands out from the normal text. Now readers will have an easier time finding the links.

Rule 2: All link text must have a strong contrast ratio. A ratio of 4.5 : 1 or higher is best.

This link has a very low contrast ratio, so it is very hard to see.

Rule 3: Use meaningful text to describe the link

Rule 4: URL links must lead to the website. Also, all links must be complete. Be sure the links do not have any spelling errors or the wrong address.

Rule 5: Links to content within the same excel file must point to the right cell reference

Lets say you have an Index Page and you want to link the January cell to the January spreadsheet.

  1. Click the January cell. Right click it and click insert Hyperlink

  2. In the Insert Hyperlink box, click Link to Place in this Document. In text to display, type in January. In type the cell reference, type A1 or which ever cell you want the link to go to. Then in “Select a place” click January.

The link has been formed and now you can click it and the link will take you to the designated sheet.

Rule 6: When inserting a link to another file, the workbook and the linked file must be on a shared network drive or a similar location.

Rule 7: Email address links should have the full name of the person

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