Hyperlinks in MS Access play a vital role in enhancing the functionality of the database & user experience by providing quick access to relevant information. However, facing issues like hyperlink not working in Access while dealing with the database can be annoying for users & hinder efficient data navigation. Well, in this blog, I will explore the root causes, and provide workable solutions to fix the Access hyperlink doesn’t work problem effectively.
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What Is A Hyperlink In Access Database?
Hyperlinks are used to link Access database elements with some external information sources. This hyperlink can be a document, an address, or a web page. Creating hyperlinks in the Access database saves lots of unwanted space and displays data in an organized way.
Out of various data types of MS Access, a hyperlink is also the one that identifies addresses (of documents and webpages) and counts them as a link. Clicking on such hyperlinks user can easily navigate the webpage and location.
Why Is My Hyperlink Not Working in Access?
Access allows users to add hyperlinks to databases, allowing seamless navigation between different forms, reports, and external resources. But sometimes, hyperlinks fail to work in the database. This happens due to various factors, such as incorrect path addresses, missing components, security restrictions, server issues, or database corruption.
Identifying the causes is important to applying targeted solutions.
What to Do When Microsoft Access Hyperlink Doesn’t Work?
In this section, I will disclose all the solutions to troubleshoot this problem.
Fix 1- Check for Missing Mandatory Component Of Hyperlink
MS Access hyperlinks constitute 4 mandatory components. Those components are the Web Address of the link, display text, subaddress, and screentip. All these components make MS Access hyperlink more dynamic.
- Web Address of the link:
This contains the internet address of any file, website, or document.
- Display text:
It makes your hyperlinks more informative and organized.
- Sub address:
This is given to specify the location or link on the web page from your Access database.
- Screentip option:
So, check whether they are missing or not. It’s essential to available all the components for a hyperlink, as this gives extra detail about your link when the mouse cursor is pointed at the link.
The format of the hyperlink looks like this:
Display text# the name of file# reference within the file# optional screen tip#
Fix 2- Make Hyperlink In A Textbox
If the method through which you are creating a hyperlink in Access fails to work, then you have other options to try. For creating a clickable hyperlink in the Access database text box, firstly you need to change your field’s data type. Let’s know how it is to be done.
- Open the table in your access database within which you need to add the hyperlinks.
- After that from the Home tab, tap to view option. Now from the view group, choose the “Design View.”
- Hit the text box, on which you have to make your hyperlink.
- Now from the table tools hit the Field
- Tap to the drop-arrow present next to data type. From the list of options choose the “hyperlink”
- Just type the text which you want to display in this text box. After then make a right-click on the text and choose hyperlink >>Edit Hyperlink option.
- Choose the link type (email address or web page) you require to add in this section of Link To. In the address, either you can type the path or just make a selection of your file location manually.
- At last, click the “OK”
Fix 3- Check for Incorrect URL/Path to Fix Hyperlink Not Working in Access Issue
It’s very common to make mistakes in giving URL/path while making hyperlinks in the Access database. So, maybe your hyperlink is not working because the URL or Path assigned by you to locate the file on the local server is typed incorrectly. Or the file location may have been changed now.
To fix this issue you just have to assign the right path to your hyperlink. If the link you are allotting is a web address then check it in your browser whether it’s opening or not.
Fix 4- Verify Missing HTTP:// or HTTPS://
To make the URL recognized as the live one within the Access database, you need to enter the https:// or http:// (if applicable) at URL starting.
For example:
https://www.accessrepairnrecovery.com is recognized as the valid URL in your database, whereas www.accessrepairnrecovery.com will not be valid.
In the hyperlink editing section, you will see http:// by default.
Webpages using the SSL connection start with https:// instead of http://.
So the only thing you need to do to fix the MS Access hyperlinks not working issue is double-check the URL you have entered for more accuracy.
Also Read: MS Access Update Query Not Working Issue – How to Fix It!
Fix 5- Check for Server Issues
Maybe the errors occur in linking to a file present on the local secure server. Or the file is failing to get connected to the server. Suppose, you are trying to extract a file stored on your Office server, and thus it is facing trouble getting connected with your home server or any café server.
This ultimately generates an Access hyperlink doesn’t work issue.
Fix 6- Missing Identification Code
Hyperlinks always start with some special identification code. This helps your PC in easy recognition of the resource type and its location. Here I have listed down some most commonly used protocol codes of hyperlinks.
Along with the code, I have also explained the type of resource the code refers to.
Protocol Code | What It Does |
file:// | Opens a local or network-based file. |
ftp:// | File Transfer Protocol; links to an FTP server. |
http:// | Hypertext Transfer Protocol; links to a web page. |
mailto: | Sends email to a network or Internet address. |
news:// | Opens an Internet newsgroup. |
Fix 7- Repair Corruption in the Database
You can experience the MS Access hyperlinks not working issue due to a corrupted database file. To repair the damaged Access database for free and tackle the situation, consider running the Access’s Compact and Repair tool. This utility can solve all sorts of Access-related issues that have occurred due to minor corruption in the file.
Here’s how you can run this tool:
- Open the database in which the hyperlink is not working.
- Go to the File menu >> Info.
- Now, click on Compact & Repair Database.
This will create a copy of a compacted & repaired database file in the same location.
If the Compact and Repair utility fails to repair the database corruption, it’s recommended to use a progressive Access Repair Tool. The tool helps Microsoft Access users repair severe corruption issues in the databases and recover table relationships, linked tables, keys, indexes, and other objects from a corrupted database file.

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Fix 8- Guest Access Links in Microsoft Applications
If you are inserting any Guest Access Links (method of securely sharing files and folders with external users with guest accounts) in your MS Access database then it can also be the reason your hyperlink won’t work issue.
You can read Microsoft article fixes on how to add trusted sites to your Access database
Alternatively, you can also save your not working hyperlink contained document in PDF format. This helps your hyperlink to work because PDF Readers don’t need Microsoft.
Related FAQs:
Is Hyperlink a Data Type in Access?
Yes, a hyperlink is a composite data type in Access, it is not a plain datatype text.
What Is the HyperlinkPart Function in Access?
The HyperlinkPart function in Microsoft Access is a special feature that returns one of three values from the Hyperlink field or a displayed value.
Can Hyperlink Issues Lead to Data Loss in Databases?
Yes, hyperlink issues impact data integrity and data corruption in databases.
What Are the Parts of a Hyperlink in Access?
There are four parts of the Hyperlink field in Access, such as displaytext, address, subaddress, and screentip.
What Is the Shortcut Key for Hyperlink?
Ctrl+K is the shortcut key for inserting hyperlinks in Access and Excel.
How Do You Hyperlink in Microsoft Access?
You can hyperlink in MS Access, by following these steps:
- Open the database table in a Design View.
- Under Field Name column, choose the first blank row >> type a name for a specific field.
- Choose the adjacent cell in a Data Type column >> select the Hyperlink from an appearing list.
- Press CTRL+S to save changes.
Also Read: Fix Access Object Dependencies Not Working Or Missing Issue
Final Thoughts
Troubleshooting the Microsoft Access hyperlink not working problem involves an efficient method to identify & address potential causes. Once you have extracted the root cause, then apply the methods outlined in this blog according to the root of your problem and deal with the issue. The most important thing you need to do is ensure that the hyperlink field is configured correctly, verify the target path, and check the server status.
That’s all…

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- Download Stellar Repair for Access rated Great on Cnet (download starts on this page).
- Click Browse and Search option to locate corrupt Access database.
- Click Repair button to repair & preview the database objects.