If you run into a problem, have questions about how something works, or have questions about functionality that is not covered, email webservices@uoregon.edu to ask for assistance.
Getting Started with Links
Before you get started adding links to your page, learn more about the dos and don'ts of writing links.
You should also familiarize yourself with how to use UTM codes in your links to better track your content in Google analytics.
Opening Links in the Same Tab vs. a New Tab
By default, all links (internal and external) on Drupal websites managed by University Communications open in the same tab.
Although there is considerable debate within the larger UX community, we recommend opening all links in the same tab to allow users more control over their experience and to maintain consistency across our web properties (see Linking to a New Tab vs Same Tab).
Accessibility in Practice
Links should have concise and descriptive screen text that allows the user to understand where that link will take them without reading the surrounding text and use words such as "University of Oregon homepage" rather than be a URL like "http://www.uoregon.edu" so that they can easily know where the link goes. Hear a screen reader read a URL.
Avoid using "Click Here" or "Read More" when possible because many screen readers allow users to jump to links and if the title of the link is "Click Here" it provides no context for where the link goes and what it does.
Links should be labeled with the most important keyword or phrase people are looking for to guide them to the information they want.
Add an External Link
For an external or absolute link, one that links to a page that is NOT ON YOUR WEBSITE:
- Highlight the text or click on an image that you would like to make into a link to another webpage, document, or other content URL.
- Copy and paste the full URL, including the HTTP:// or HTTPS://, into the link URL box and click the insert link button to add the external link to your content.
- Click on the link icon with the plus sign on the right hand side of the formatting bar:
- This will open a pop-up "Linkit" box where you can add links to internal content located on your site, or external links. NOTE: The link icon on the left should only be used to insert email addresses (see "Adding a link to an Email").
Add an Internal Link
For an internal or relative link, one that links to a different page ON YOUR WEBSITE:
- Highlight the text, click inside a button, or click on an image that you would like to make into a link to another webpage, document, or other content URL.
- Click on the link icon with the plus sign on the right hand side of the formatting bar:
- This will open a pop-up "Linkit" box where you can add links to internal content located on your site. NOTE: The link icon on the left should only be used to insert email addresses (see "Adding a link to an Email").
- In the Search for content box, start typing in the title of a page on your site or part of the filename into the box. This will bring up a list of items that contain the word(s) you entered into the Search for content box.
- Click on the corresponding title and it will automatically fill in the link URL for you. When it automatically populates the URL, this can show up as either "node/#" or /page-name. Nodes are the way the Drupal system tracks webpages but it will still go to the same page for your users.
OR
- Type only what appears AFTER uoregon.edu. As an example, for uoregon.edu/apply, you would only put /apply in the Link URL box. All internal links on your site should be set up as relative links. This is an example of how a relative link could appear in the editor:
NOTE: You should avoid using absolute links for internal content as it can cause issues for users and site editors. The most common issue is that your editors may appear to lose editor permissions when they click on the linked content and will need to add an "S" to the end of the HTTP in their URL bar in order to be able to edit that content.
If you are looking for information on linking to a file saved on your site, please see Linking to a File.
Add a Link to an Email
Drupal 8/9+ version instructions
Click the link button to bring up the Link pop up window:
In the link field, type:
mailto:
Followed by the email address you want to link which will look something like mailto:theduck@uoregon.edu.
Drupal 7 version instructions
- Highlight the text you would like to make the link to an email.
- Click on the link icon with the left hand side of the formatting bar.
- This will bring up a pop-up "Link" box.
- Click the drop down Link Type box and select the E-mail option. This will change the window options to email settings:
- The only field you are required to enter is the E-Mail Address box. However, if you also want to include a default Message Subject or Message Body, you can add those to the appropriate boxes, then click OK to add the email link to your text.
Create Anchor / Jump Links on a Page
Drupal 8/9+ version instructions
FIRST step: You have to make the anchor link first. To do that:
- Highlight the text you want to be linked to (usually a header in the body of your content) or click in the editor to place your cursor where you want your anchor to point
- Click on the flag icon button
and type in your anchor name.
Note: There cannot be any spaces between words in the name of your anchor link name, instead use dashes (-) or underscores (_) like "the-uo-duck". - Copy the entire link name and click the "Ok" button
SECOND step: Scroll up to where you the link that goes to your anchor will be (usually at the top of your body content) and highlight your link text then:
- Click on the link button
- Paste the anchor link name you copied in step 2 and click the save button
sDrupal 7 version instructions
- FIRST: You have to make the anchor link first. To do that, highlight the text you want to be linked to (usually a header in the body of your content).
- Click on the flag icon button
and type in your anchor name.
Note: There cannot be any spaces between words in the name of your anchor link name, instead use dashes (-) or underscores (_) like "the-uo-duck". - SECOND: Go to where you want the anchor link to come from (usually at the top of your body content). With your cursor on the text you want to link to the anchor, click the link icon in the middle of the Content Editor menu:
- On the Link Type menu, select "Link to anchor in the text" and then select from the anchor names you have already made.
Adding Anchor / Jump Links to a Different Page
To create anchors on a different page you cannot use the dropdown options listed above, you will have to manually copy and paste the anchor link information:
- Copy the anchor name on the page where your link will go, which should look something like "the-uo-duck" or "class-12345.
- Go to the page where your link will be coming from and click your cursor on the text that will be the link.
- Click the Link+ icon
on the right side of the Content Editor menu and type in the name of the page that has the anchor link, then add # followed by your anchor name.
- As an example, an anchor jump to this section from an outside page would look like this:
https://communications.uoregon.edu/drupal/links#anchor-jump-links-extermal
Making Edits to Links and Files
- With your cursor on the link you want to edit, click the link icon in the middle of the Content Editor menu:
- This will bring up a link menu where you can fill in a new URL, change the link type from a straight URL, an internal link to an anchor, or fill out the information for an email.
- After you make any changes, click the OK button to commit your changes.