Adding hyperlinks in PowerPoint presentations enhances interactivity and provides easy access to additional information. One useful type of hyperlink is a mailto link, which opens the user’s default email client with the email address already populated.
Mailto links allow your audience to easily send emails and questions about your presentation. This helps facilitate further communication and engagement.
In this article, we will walk through the step-by-step process for creating mailto hyperlinks in PowerPoint.
Why Use Mailto Hyperlinks
Here are some of the key benefits of using mailto hyperlinks in your PowerPoint presentations:
- Convenience for viewers – With one click, viewers can open an email to ask questions or request more information without having to manually open their email and type your address.
- Encourages engagement – By making it easy for your audience to contact you, mailto links facilitate further discussion, feedback, and interaction.
- Customizable – You can pre-populate fields like subject line and body text to provide context for the email communication.
- Compatible across devices and email clients – Mailto links will work for viewers regardless of what device, operating system, or email application they are using.
How to Insert a Mailto Link
Inserting a mailto hyperlink in PowerPoint is simple. Follow these steps:
1. Select the Text
First, select the text or object on your slide that you want to make into a hyperlink. This will be the clickable link that viewers see.
Select text for mailto link
2. Open Hyperlink Dialog Box
Next, open the hyperlink dialog box by going to Insert > Link or by right-clicking the selected text and choosing Hyperlink.
3. Choose Email Address
In the hyperlink dialog box, switch to the Email Address tab.
4. Enter the Email Address
In the Email address field, enter the email address you want the mailto link to open.
Optionally, you can add multiple email addresses separated by semicolons.
Enter email address
5. Customize the Link (Optional)
If desired, enter a subject line and body text to provide context with the email draft. You can also CC or BCC additional recipients.
Customize mailto link
6. Insert the Link
Once finished, click OK to insert the mailto hyperlink into your presentation.
Test the link by clicking on it during your slideshow. It should open your default email client with the address pre-populated and ready to send!
Mailto Link Best Practices
When adding mailto links to your PowerPoint presentations, keep these tips in mind:
- Use descriptive link text, like “Contact us” instead of just the email address
- Set an informative subject line to provide context
- Test all links before presenting to ensure functionality
- Use mailto judiciously, as overuse may seem promotional
- Ensure the linked email address is monitored and will provide a good response
Advanced Customization
In addition to the basic steps covered above, you can customize your mailto links further:
- Add CC and BCC – Include carbon copy and blind carbon copy recipients
- Pre-fill message body – Provide initial content for the email body
- Open in new window – Set link to open email client in a new window
- Use hyperlink button – Create a clickable button instead of just text
These options allow you to craft seamless email links tailored to your presentation’s needs.
Conclusion
Adding mailto hyperlinks into your PowerPoint slides is easy and enhances interactivity with your audience. The ability to conveniently contact you with questions or feedback facilitates further discussion.
Use descriptive link text, customize pre-filled fields as needed, and test links before presenting. Following the best practices outlined here will help you implement mailto links effectively.
Let us know in the comments if you have any other questions on creating mailto hyperlinks in PowerPoint!
