Add a link that goes directly to the middle of a Word document

In powerpoint, I like how when I open up a PPT presentation in IE, it loads it inline and I can page through the presentation and see the exact url to individual slides. So if I want to show someone else just one slide, I can point directly at that slide.

I couldn't figure out how to do this in Word, so I asked around today and found out the answer[1]. The short answer is that linking within Word works the same as inline HTML HREFs, i.e. “https://mysite/myfolder/mydoc.doc#mylink“. The long answer:

1. In the part of the doc (mydoc.doc) to which you want to link, select some text and go to Insert | Bookmark
2. Name the bookmark (say “mylink“)
3. Save it up somewhere on a website
4. In Word, open the HTML file from which you want to add the link
5. Go to Insert | Hyperlink
6. Under “Link To“, choose “Existing file or web page“
7. Browse to the mydoc.doc
8. Click “Bookmark“ and you'll see the link that you specified, mylink. Select it and save the file.

One interesting note: I tried to find instructions on this in Word's help, but in the topic about inserting a link to a bookmark, it didn't mention how to insert that link from outside of a word doc. So I clicked on “No“ under “Was this help topic useful?“ and sent in a comment. Having seen the back-end side of the system, I absolutely recommend that anyone who has any complaints about help in Office send in their comments, either when reading help within Office or on their website.

And although the “No, this wasn't useful“ is the most actionable feedback, I'm sure those folks would appreciate a “Nice job“ once in a while if a help topic answers your exact question.

[1] Chris Pratley was one of the people who responded to my request. I got weak-kneed when I saw his name in my inbox. And I put a dorky “Love your blog, and customers do too!“ in white font on a white background in my response just to be silly, I wonder if he actually saw it... :-)