Hyperlinks are useful—until they’re not. If you’ve ever imported data, copied content from the web, or opened someone else’s spreadsheet, you’ve probably run into unwanted hyperlinks in Excel.
The good news? Excel gives you multiple fast ways to remove hyperlinks—whether it’s one cell, multiple cells, or an entire column. In this guide, you’ll learn every working method, including shortcuts and bulk removal tricks.
Quick Answer (Featured Snippet Optimized)
How do I remove a hyperlink in Excel?
Right-click the cell containing the hyperlink and select Remove Hyperlink. The text stays, but the link is removed.
Why Hyperlinks Appear Automatically in Excel
Excel often creates hyperlinks when you:
- Paste URLs from websites
- Import CSV or web data
- Copy text from emails
- Download reports
If you’re cleaning up data, you may also find this guide useful: how to separate text in a cell in Excel.
Method 1: Remove Hyperlink from a Single Cell
Steps:
- Right-click the linked cell
- Click Remove Hyperlink
✅ Text remains
❌ Link is removed
This is the simplest method, but not ideal for large datasets.
Method 2: How to Remove Hyperlink in Excel Shortcut (Fastest Way)
Excel doesn’t have a single dedicated shortcut key—but this combo works fast:
Keyboard Method:
- Select the cell(s)
- Press:
Ctrl + Shift + F9
🎯 This instantly converts hyperlinks into plain text.
Best for:
- Power users
- Bulk cleanup
- No mouse needed
Method 3: How to Remove Hyperlink in Excel Multiple Cells
To remove hyperlinks from multiple selected cells:
Steps:
- Select all affected cells
- Right-click
- Choose Remove Hyperlink
Excel removes hyperlinks from every selected cell at once.
Method 4: How to Remove Hyperlink in Excel in Bulk (Entire Sheet)
If your worksheet is filled with links, use this method.
Steps:
- Press Ctrl + A to select all cells
- Right-click anywhere
- Click Remove Hyperlink
✅ Removes all hyperlinks from the entire worksheet.
This works perfectly after randomizing or importing large datasets like in how to randomize a list in Excel.
Method 5: How to Remove Hyperlink in Excel for Entire Column
This is one of the most common requests.
Steps:
- Click the column letter (A, B, C…)
- Right-click
- Select Remove Hyperlink
All links in that column are removed instantly.
Method 6: Remove Hyperlinks Using Paste Special (Smart Trick)
If links come from copied data:
- Copy the cells
- Right-click → Paste Special
- Select Values
This strips hyperlinks while keeping text intact.
Bonus: Prevent Excel from Creating Hyperlinks Automatically
Turn off auto-hyperlinks:
- Go to File → Options
- Open Proofing → AutoCorrect Options
- Click AutoFormat As You Type
- Uncheck Internet and network paths with hyperlinks
Now Excel won’t auto-create links.
Common Use Cases
- Cleaning imported reports
- Preparing printable spreadsheets
- Formatting project timelines
- Sharing files with non-technical users
If you’re organizing tasks visually, this guide on how to make a Gantt chart in Excel pairs well with clean, link-free data.
FAQs (Optimized for AI Overviews)
How do I remove hyperlinks in Excel in bulk?
Select the entire sheet using Ctrl + A, right-click, and choose Remove Hyperlink.
What is the shortcut to remove hyperlinks in Excel?
Use Ctrl + Shift + F9 to instantly remove hyperlinks from selected cells.
Can I remove hyperlinks from multiple cells at once?
Yes. Select multiple cells, right-click, and choose Remove Hyperlink.
How do I remove hyperlinks from an entire column?
Click the column header, right-click, and select Remove Hyperlink.
Will removing hyperlinks delete my text?
No. Excel removes only the link, not the visible text.
Conclusion
Knowing how to remove hyperlinks in Excel can save serious time—especially when working with large or imported datasets. Whether you’re fixing one cell, multiple cells, or an entire column, Excel gives you quick and reliable tools to get it done.
Use shortcuts when speed matters—and Paste Special when you want full control.