Google spreadsheet cell with link shows "just text" vs "=HYPERLINK("https://xxxx","text")"

Question

I'm having links in google spreadsheet cells and it has got below 2 formats shown in fx field

=HYPERLINK("https://xxxx","text")

just text but clicking on this in the cell opens the link

didn't understand for same kind of behaviour why there are 2 formats used ?

Answer 1

You have assumed that all links are created with the HYPERLINK() function. This is not so - your just text link is an example of a link created from the main menu.

There are (at least) two ways to create a hyperlink.

• The HYPERLINK() function (doc).

  • When you select the cell, you can see the function and its parameters - you mentioned this in your question.

• Main menu "Insert, Insert link".

  • This method also accepts a URL and text/label. However, when you select the cell, you only see the text. Hovering over the cell will produce a popup dialog showing the url (which is clickable), and options to copy, edit or remove the link.