Creating links that navigate directly to specific text on a web page can greatly enhance how you share information. The 'Scroll to Text Fragment' feature in Google Chrome (version 81 and later) and Microsoft Edge allows you to link to selected text, but it's not fully integrated in all browsers yet. Developer Paul Kinlan has developed a handy bookmarklet to leverage this feature even now.

Bookmarklets are bookmarks containing small JavaScript code snippets that execute predefined actions when clicked. In this case, the bookmarklet formats the URL in your address bar to point directly to the text you've selected on a webpage.

Drag and Drop the 'Scroll to Text' Bookmarklet into the Bookmarks Bar

If you prefer a quick setup, you can simply drag and drop the bookmarklet below into your bookmarks bar in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

If your bookmarks bar isn't visible, press Ctrl+Shift+B to enable it. Then, drag the following link into your bookmarks bar to add the 'Scroll to Text' bookmarklet.

Drag this Link → Share with Find

Create the Bookmarklet Manually in Chrome

Step 1: If you're unable to drag and drop the bookmarklet, you can create it manually in Chrome. Open the Bookmarks Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+O, or click on the menu, navigate to 'Bookmarks', and select 'Bookmark manager'.

Step 2: Right-click within the Bookmarks Manager and select 'Add new bookmark'.

Step 3: In the 'Add Bookmark' dialog, enter 'Share with Find' as the name. In the URL field, paste the following JavaScript code, then click 'Save'.

javascript:(function(){const selectedText=getSelection().toString();const newUrl=new URL(location);newUrl.hash=`:~:text=${encodeURIComponent(selectedText)}`;window.open(newUrl);})();

Step 4: Ensure that the bookmarks bar is visible by pressing Ctrl+Shift+B. The 'Share with Find' bookmarklet should now appear in your bookmarks bar.

Create the Bookmarklet Manually in Edge

Step 1: To use the 'Scroll to Text' bookmarklet in Microsoft Edge, you'll need the latest Chromium-based version. Open 'Manage favorites' by pressing Ctrl+Shift+O, or navigate through the Edge menu to Favorites » Manage favorites.

Step 2: In the 'Manage favorites' tab, right-click within the Favorites bar section and select 'Add favorite'.

Step 3: Name the bookmarklet 'Share with Find' and paste the following JavaScript code into the URL field. Click 'Save' to add it to your favorites.

javascript:(function(){const selectedText=getSelection().toString();const newUrl=new URL(location);newUrl.hash=`:~:text=${encodeURIComponent(selectedText)}`;window.open(newUrl);})();

Step 4: Make sure the Favorites bar is visible in Edge by pressing Ctrl+Shift+B. The 'Share with Find' bookmarklet should now be accessible from your Favorites bar.

Using the 'Scroll to Text' Bookmarklet

Step 1: Navigate to any web page and select the text you want to link to.

Step 2: Click on the 'Share with Find' bookmarklet in your bookmarks bar.

Step 3: A new window will open, highlighting the selected text. Copy the URL from this new window to share it with others.

Recipients using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge will be directed straight to the highlighted text when they open the link.

Directly linking to specific text enhances how we share and reference information online. Interestingly, Google Search utilizes the 'Scroll to Text Fragment' feature to highlight content when users click on featured snippets in search results.