Using the Editor - Insert a Link

Insert a Link

Learn how to insert different types of links.

• Interactive Walkthrough
• Instructions
  • Insert an Email Address
  • Insert a Phone Number
  • Insert an Anchor
• Best Practices
  • Add Titles to Links
  • Include the File Format
• Additional Resources

Interactive Walkthrough

Instructions

To insert an internal link:

1. In the toolbar, click "Insert/edit link"
2. Click "Choose File, Page, or Link"
3. Select the asset you want to link and click "Choose"
4. Enter the display text for the link and click "Ok"

To insert an external link:

1. In the toolbar, click "Insert/edit link"
2. Check the "External" link type
3. In "Link Source", enter the URL of the website you want to link to
4. Enter the display text for the link and click "Ok"

Insert an Email Address

To insert an email address:

1. In the toolbar, click "Insert/edit link"
2. Check the "External" link type
3. In "Link Source", type "mailto:" followed by an email address, and click "Ok"

There should be no spacing between the text in the link source, e.g. mailto:web@fhsu.edu.

Insert a Phone Number

To insert a phone number:

1. In the toolbar, click "Insert/edit link"
2. Check the "External" link type
3. In "Link Source", type "tel:" followed by a phone number, and click "Ok"

All phone numbers should be prefixed with a country code (+1 for the US), and there should be no spaces or dashes in the link source, e.g. tel:+17856284206.

Insert an Anchor

Anchors allow you to link to a specific element on a webpage, most commonly a heading.

To insert an anchor:

1. In the editor, select the text you want to reference
2. In the toolbar, click "Anchor"
3. Give the anchor a unique "ID" and click "Ok"

This gives the selected text an ID. To link to the anchor:

1. In the toolbar, click "Insert/edit link"
2. In "Anchor", enter the ID of the anchor you inserted previously
3. Enter the display text for the link and click "Ok"

Best Practices

To comply with Section 508 Standards and associated Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), it is important to create links that are clear, descriptive, and accessible to everyone, including those using assistive technologies.

When creating a link, follow these three key principles:

1. Use Descriptive Link Text
   • Write link text that clearly communicates the link’s purpose or destination
   • Avoid using vague phrases like "click here" or "read more"
   • Example: Use "Download the annual report" instead of "Click here"
2. Provide Contextual Clarity
   • Ensure that link text makes sense out of context
   • Users of screen readers often navigate by jumping directly between links
   • Example: "Learn more about our accessibility policy" is clearer than "Learn more"
3. Avoid Using URLs as Link Text
   • Long URLs can be confusing and difficult to read, especially for screen readers
   • Instead, use a descriptive phrase that represents the link’s destination

Add Titles to Links

Titles can provide helpful context by showing supporting information when a user hovers over a link. Use titles when they clarify where the link leads or add meaning beyond the visible text, but avoid them if the link text is already clear or if the title repeats the same wording.

To add a title to a link:

1. In the editor, select the link you want to edit
2. In the toolbar, click "Insert/edit link"
3. In "Title", enter your supporting information for the link and click "Ok"

Now, hovering over the link will display the supporting information in a tooltip.

Include the File Format

When linking to documents, PDFs, and other files, include the file format in the display text. This makes it clearer how the file will open. Some file formats (PDF) can display in the browser, while others (DOCX) download immediately.

For example, a link to our Brand Standards (PDF) includes "(PDF)" at the end of its display text.

Additional Resources