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
    2018-05-05T03:59:24+00:00

    As has probably already been suggested somewhere in this long thread, you can post a suggestion at http://word.uservoice.com/. Although the track record is not exactly encouraging, some of the suggestions made there have been implemented (and bug fixes have taken care of some that were actually bugs).

    I haven't seen that suggestion before.

    Most, if not all, of the MVP participation in this thread seems directed toward denying and/or obfuscating the bug's existence.  Isn't that likely going to negatively impact Microsoft's consideration of it?  Wouldn't MVP concurrence that it exists help in getting it fixed?  Don't (shouldn't) Moderators have a way of passing (their and other MVP?) vetted bug reports from this forum to Microsoft for appropriate action?

    How should I interpret your lack of response?

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-05-03T16:55:37+00:00

    As has probably already been suggested somewhere in this long thread, you can post a suggestion at http://word.uservoice.com/. Although the track record is not exactly encouraging, some of the suggestions made there have been implemented (and bug fixes have taken care of some that were actually bugs).

    I haven't seen that suggestion before.

    Most, if not all, of the MVP participation in this thread seems directed toward denying and/or obfuscating the bug's existence.  Isn't that likely going to negatively impact Microsoft's consideration of it?  Wouldn't MVP concurrence that it exists help in getting it fixed?  Don't (shouldn't) Moderators have a way of passing (their and other MVP?) vetted bug reports from this forum to Microsoft for appropriate action?

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