Batch rename multiple hyperlinks at once in Excel

In Excel, each hyperlink is built from two components: the destination address (link) and the display text that users see in the cell. In many situations - such as updating website names, standardizing document links, or clarifying reference texts - you may need to update the display text of multiple hyperlinks throughout your worksheet for clarity and consistency. This tutorial explains several practical solutions and covers scenarios ranging from bulk updating based on other columns to unifying all display text for selected hyperlinks. You'll also find advanced methods for handling more complex needs, such as VBA automation and Power Query batch processing. Here's a quick overview of solutions provided:

• Rename hyperlinks based on text in another column
• Rename all hyperlinks to the same display text
• Using Kutools AI to automatically rename hyperlinks
• Update hyperlink display text throughout a worksheet using VBA

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Rename Hyperlinks Based on Text in Another Column

If you want each hyperlink’s display text to reflect values stored in another column - such as descriptive labels or updated information - you can use an Excel formula to efficiently rebuild hyperlinks with the desired display text. This approach is useful when:

• You have a column of hyperlink addresses (e.g., column A) and a separate column with the new display texts (e.g., column B).
• You need to keep the links themselves unchanged but adjust how they appear to users in the workbook.
• This method can quickly process hundreds or thousands of links if organized consistently.

To do this, enter the following formula in the target cell where you want the updated hyperlink to appear (for example, C1):

=HYPERLINK(A1, B1)

After entering the formula in the first cell of your target column, press "Enter". To apply this formula to additional rows, drag the autofill handle (located at the lower-right corner of the cell) down through the desired range.

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Rename All Hyperlinks to the Same Display Text

When you need all hyperlinks in a worksheet or selected range to show identical display text - such as "Go here", "Download", "Details", etc. - you can use Excel’s built-in "Find and Replace" feature. This method is suitable when all hyperlinks are clearly recognizable by their formatting (typically underlined, blue text).

Here’s how to proceed:

1. Highlight all cells containing the hyperlinks whose display text you want to change. Press "Ctrl + H" to bring up the "Find and Replace" dialog box.

2. Click the "Options" button to expand more controls, then select "Format" to refine the search based on hyperlink formatting.

3. In the "Find Format" dialog under the "Font" tab, select "Single" from the "Underline" dropdown list. This will make sure only cells formatted as hyperlinks are affected. Click "OK" to return to the main dialog.

4. Type an asterisk (*) in the "Find what" field to match all display texts, and type your desired new display text (for example, "Go here") in the "Replace with" field. Click "Replace All". A summary box will indicate the number of replacements made.

Check the results for any non-hyperlinks incidentally affected, especially if you have manually formatted similar styles elsewhere.

Once complete, all hyperlinks’ display text will show your chosen label.

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Using Kutools AI to Automatically Rename Hyperlinks

Kutools for Excel includes an AI-powered assistant that streamlines hyperlink management, making the renaming process faster and more reliable - especially useful for users unfamiliar with formulas or bulk editing tools. Kutools AI can handle diverse scenarios, such as using another column for new display text or applying a single phrase to multiple links at once.

After installing Kutools for Excel, go to "Kutools AI" > "AI Aide" to bring up the "Kutools AI Aide" pane.

To rename hyperlinks based on text in another column:

1. Arrange the replacement text in a separate column alongside your hyperlinks. For example, put the new display text in B2:B4. In the Kutools AI Aide pane, simply enter this instruction:
   Please replace the display text of hyperlinks in column A with the text in the adjacent cell in column B.
   
2. Kutools AI will prompt for your confirmation before executing. Once you click "Execute", the AI will reliably replace display texts for all selected hyperlinks.

Result

To rename all selected hyperlinks to the same display text:

• Select all cells with hyperlinks you wish to process, then enter the following command in the "Kutools AI Aide" pane and press Enter:

Kutools AI provides instant results and minimizes manual work and error risks. It's especially effective when you need to update a large worksheet or handle batches of hyperlinks inherited from imports, exports, or references.

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VBA Code – Use VBA to Batch Update Hyperlink Display Text Throughout a Worksheet

For situations where you need more flexibility - such as updating all hyperlink display texts at once, handling both regular and formula-based hyperlinks, or automating repetitive edits - a VBA macro provides an efficient solution. This method is especially useful when your worksheet contains hyperlinks in various locations (not limited to one column or contiguous range).

Preliminary note: Always save your workbook before running any VBA code, as macros may overwrite data if used incorrectly.

Operation steps:

1. Go to Developer > Visual Basic to open the "Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications" window. Choose Insert > Module, and paste the following code:

Sub BatchUpdateHyperlinkDisplayText()
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    Dim hl As Hyperlink
    Dim newText As String
    Dim answer As Integer
    
    On Error Resume Next
    xTitleId = "KutoolsforExcel"
    
    Set ws = Application.ActiveSheet
    newText = Application.InputBox("Enter the new display text for all hyperlinks:", xTitleId, Type:=2)
    
    If newText = "" Then
        MsgBox "No text provided, macro stopped.", vbInformation
        Exit Sub
    End If
    
    answer = MsgBox("Are you sure you want to update ALL hyperlink display texts on this sheet?", vbYesNo + vbQuestion, "Confirm Batch Update")
    
    If answer = vbNo Then
        Exit Sub
    End If
    
    For Each hl In ws.Hyperlinks
        hl.TextToDisplay = newText
    Next hl
    
    MsgBox "All hyperlink display text has been updated.", vbInformation
End Sub

2. To run the macro, click the button or press F5 while in the code window. A prompt will appear for you to enter the new display text; confirm, and the procedure will update all hyperlinks in the active worksheet.

This macro iterates through every hyperlink in the worksheet, so it works even if links are scattered throughout different ranges.

Troubleshooting tips:

• If some hyperlinks are not updated, check that they are actual Excel hyperlinks (not simple text resembling links).
• The operation cannot undo after execution, consider copying your worksheet before running bulk changes.
• If you have hyperlinks in objects (buttons, shapes), VBA code above will not update those; it only affects cell hyperlinks.

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Renaming multiple hyperlinks at once in Excel improves document clarity and makes navigation easier, especially when managing large sets of references. Each of the methods described offers unique advantages: formulas and built-in features support quick edits, Kutools AI provides easy automation, VBA enables powerful customization, and Power Query grants control over complex batch transformations. Choose the approach that best suits your workflow and complexity needs. For further support, double-check cell formats and always back up important data before bulk operations.

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Click to download the sample file

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