Microsoft - Please fix Word's relative hyperlinks!

Anonymous
2013-03-30T16:05:59+00:00

Microsoft Office,

After too many hours of experimentation and working with your "level 2" tech support (Case no. 1201292910), I learned that relative hyperlinks no longer work properly in either Word 2007 or 2010 native (.docx) file formats (Both Windows8 and XP).  As of 2013-03-27 (or earlier) if these types of documents are saved with a new name ("Save As"), their hyperlinks get converted to absolute links as soon as they are saved - you'll see the full paths in their addresses when you view them in "Edit Hyperlink".  The only work-around that I could find (other than always using the same document name - and I'm not sure that will always work) is to save the file in the old (.doc) format.  (So far Excel doesn't seem to share this problem but I haven't checked the other Office apps.)

It seems to me that it would be nice to have the option of easily selecting either the "Relative" or "Absolute" hyperlink option when each link is created or edited.  But, at a minimum, the type of link shouldn't change when the document gets saved with a new name!

I'd greatly appreciate knowing that you have reviewed and understand what I have "said".  I've invested a substantial amount of time and effort in attempt to provide constructive feedback for the benefit of both Microsoft and its Office users.

Thank You!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2017-11-09T07:38:58+00:00

If anything, you used the hyperlink base - which I previously mentioned. That is the nearest Word has ever had to relative hyperlink support - it's even been described in MS doc as providing relative hyperlinks (which it really doesn't, but that's another story). It is still available. See: https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Set-the-hyperlink-base-address-for-relative-hyperlinks-in-a-document-83a7b7aa-a3a0-4491-8575-1b0ca207f825

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Anonymous
2018-04-25T21:06:49+00:00

It 'isn't fixed' because it 'isn't broken'... Get over it.

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Anonymous
2013-09-14T14:39:48+00:00

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-11-01T20:37:36+00:00

    Only solution is to use google docs. It does not have as much functionality but it will always work. You will never look like a buffoon in front of a crowd of people when your hyperlinks are not working. The newer generation is not using Microsoft and they are looking way better than the old who come across incompetent thanks to Microsoft's gimp way of doing things. However, if you are using Microsoft you really are incompetent --or your are forced to use it for whatever reason. I highly suggest moving forward and avoiding Microsoft as much as possible. It simply is a very very bad solution in the business world for 99% of the cases.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-09-06T16:43:48+00:00

    No you are not the only one.  This has been a recurring problem for me too (not to mention how Word seems to always know best that numbered lists require complete reformatting).  The worst of it is, I don't know the links have become absolute until someone else points it out because - of course - they work fine on my computer.

    I agree - Why is there no option to "keep all links relative", "never change links", etc.?

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