When reading a physical book, we often place bookmarks before closing the book. Later, these bookmarks help us locate the page we were reading.
You can do the same in an MS Word document.
In fact, you can place several bookmarks to point to specific paragraphs, objects, or images.
Step by Step Instructions to create a bookmark in MS Word
- Add a Bookmark
- Go to a Bookmark from the Bookmark Dialog Box
- Go to a Bookmark from the Go To Dialog Box
- Link to a Bookmark
- Make Bookmarks Visible
- Delete a Bookmark
Let us start.
Method #1: Add a Bookmark
Add one or more bookmarks to your document.
Step #1: Open a Word document
Open an existing Word document.
Navigate to the location where you want the bookmark.
Select the paragraph, heading, object, or image where you want your bookmark.
For this example, we will select a heading.
Step #2: Open the Bookmark Dialog Box
Click on the Insert tab in the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Links, click on the Bookmark icon.
This opens the Bookmark dialog box.
Step #3: Add a Name for the Bookmark
Under Bookmark name:, enter a suitable name for the bookmark.
Click on the Add button to add the name to the list.
Note: Use Step #3 to add as many bookmarks as you want. But name them appropriately.
Click on the Close button at the bottom to close the dialog box.
Although nothing is visible, Word has added a bookmark to the selected text.
Method #2: Go to a Bookmark from the Bookmark Dialog Box
Go to a specific bookmark.
Step #1: Open a Word document
Open an existing Word document that has bookmarks.
Step #2: Open the Bookmark Dialog Box
Click on the Insert tab in the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Links, click on the Bookmark icon.
This opens the Bookmark dialog box.
Step #3: Select a Bookmark
Under Bookmark name:, select a bookmark from the list.
Step #4: Go to the Bookmark
Click on the Go To button.
Click on the Close button at the bottom to close the dialog box.
The cursor in the document is now highlighting the bookmark location you selected.
Method #3: Go to a Bookmark from the Go To Dialog Box
Another way of going to a specific bookmark.
Step #1: Open a Word document
Open an existing Word document that has bookmarks.
Step #2: Open the Go To Dialog Box
Click on the Home tab in the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Editing, click on the down arrow next to Find.
In the menu that opens, click on Go To…
The Go To dialog box will open under Find and Replace.
Note: You can also open the Go To dialog box by pressing CTRL+G on your keyboard.
Step #3: Go to a Bookmark
- Under Go to what:, click on Bookmark.
- Under Enter bookmark name:, click on the down arrow.
This opens the list of bookmarks in the document.
- Click on the bookmark you want.
- Click on the Go To button.
- Click on the Close button to close the dialog box.
The cursor in the document is now highlighting the bookmark location you selected.
Method #4: Link to a Bookmark
Add a hyperlink in a document to take you to a specific bookmark in the same document.
Step #1: Open a Word document
Open an existing Word document that has bookmarks.
Step #2: Select the Text to Hyperlink
Navigate to and select the text that you want to use as a hyperlink.
Step #3: Open the Insert Hyperlink dialog box
Right-click on the selected text.
In the menu that opens, click on Link.
This opens the Hyperlink dialog box.
Step #4: Create the Hyperlink
Under Link to:, click on Place in This Document icon.
Under Select a place in this document:, select a bookmark.
Click on the OK button at the bottom to close the dialog box.
The selected text in the document will change to a hyperlink.
Press CTRL on your keyboard and click with your mouse on the hyperlink to go to the linked bookmark.
Method #5: Make Bookmarks Visible
By default, bookmarks are not visible. But you can make them visible using this method.
Step #1: Open a Word document
Open an existing Word document that has bookmarks.
Step #2: Open Word Options Dialog Box
Click on the File tab in the top menu bar.
In the left-hand pane, click on Options at the bottom.
Step #3: Turn on Show Bookmarks
This opens the Word Options dialog box.
In the left pane, click on the Advanced tab.
Scroll down the right pane until you come to Show document content.
Click and select the checkbox Show bookmarks.
Click the OK button at the bottom to close the dialog box.
All the bookmarks in the document are now enclosed in square brackets.
Method #6: Remove a Bookmark
Remove one or more bookmarks from your document.
Step #1: Open a Word document
Open an existing Word document that has bookmarks.
Step #2: Open the Bookmark Dialog Box
Click on the Insert tab in the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Links, click on the Bookmark icon.
This opens the Bookmark dialog box.
Step #3: Select a Bookmark
Under Bookmark name:, select a bookmark from the list.
Step #4: Delete the Bookmark
Click on the Delete button.
The selected bookmark no longer appears on the list.
Note: Use Step #3 & Step #4 to delete more bookmarks if necessary.
Click on the Close button at the bottom to close the dialog box.
Conclusion
Bookmarks are a great addition to any document, especially very lengthy ones, study material or manuals.
We have shown you not only how to create bookmarks in your Word document but also different types, how to access them and also how to remove unwanted bookmarks. Have fun with bookmarks and go try them out.