Turn text into a hyperlink in an HTML message

1. With the HTML message open, type into the body of the message the descriptive text that you want your reader to click on.
2. Select the text, and then on the Insert menu, click Hyperlink.
3. In the Type list, click the appropriate protocol for the URL you are linking to. (The protocol is the part of the address that goes before the colon and that specifies the access scheme, such as http in the address http://www.microsoft.com.)
4. In the URL box, type the URL.
The hyperlink is not live until you send the message. When the recipient opens the message and moves the insertion point over the link, it changes to a pointing finger so that they can click and go to the destination. For the hyperlink to work, though, the recipient must have an Internet browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, that supports the protocol used in the hyperlink.
Besides creating hyperlinks with friendly names, the HTML message format also enables you to enhance messages using special designs, formatted text, or a structured layout. For more information, read Create stylish and decorative e-mail in Outlook using HTML.
Note While many popular e-mail programs besides Outlook 2000 — such as Outlook 98, Outlook Express 4.0, Eudora 4.0, and Netscape Messenger 4.0 — understand HTML messages, some do not. For more information about sending HTML messages, read Choose the best Outlook message format for a recipient.