Links to Documents

UPDATED on July 25, 2018

Summary: Links to documents provides a way for people to access forms, brochures and flyers, minutes and other information that is designed to supplement the main topic of your web page.

Please do not use documents to convey general information. Documents are not mobile responsive unless they have been created in the Forms Administrator, which is reserved for forms. They may also not be accessible to people who do not have appropriate software, i.e., a Word document to someone who does not have Word software.

Documents uploaded inside the OU Campus system may be referred to as 'binary' documents, or 'binaries'.

Components of a Link

Links to web pages and documents contain all of these components:

• Link Text - part that is visibly clickable, and that communicates where the link goes when clicked. May also be referred to as 'Link to Display'.
• Hyperlink - address the link routes to when clicked. May also be referred to as 'URL'.
• Title - description of link that appears when hovering, and that provides accessibility.
• Target - how link opens (existing window or new window).

Policy and Procedure

• Accessibility Resources for LCC Faculty & Staff - full list of accessibility policy, plan and resources.

Best Practices

• LInks and Hypertext - best practices for usability and accessibility from WebAIM.

Links to Documents Uploaded into the OU Campus System

Upload your Document

1. Navigate to folder in which you want to upload the document
   1. Documents should always be uploaded to the '_assets/documents' folder inside the related section. See Assets for further explanation.
2. Click the 'Upload' button
3. Click the 'Add Files' button
4. Navigate to the location on your computer in which you have stored the document. Select it and click 'Open'
5. The document will appear in the upload window.
   1. Document may be renamed. click 'Rename', key in new name and click 'OK'
6. Click 'Start Upload'
7. Document will appear in folder

About Document Filename:

Your document filename cannot contain any spaces. The only allowable characters are: [a-z] [0-9-_]. Please name your file appropriately before upload, or it will be rejected by OU Campus.

About Document Filepath:

Once uploaded and linked to, your document address will become part of a filepath that already contains the term 'lowercolumbia.edu'. Therefore it is not necessary to include 'LCC' or 'Lower Columbia College' as part of your filename.

About Document Accessibility

All college-produced documents must meet accessibility standards, according to the LCC Accessibility Plan. It is your responsibility to format your document accordingly.

Link to your Document

Always use the *dependency tag.

1. Key in your link text and select it.
   1. Review best practices for Link Text and Appearance.
2. Click the 'Insert/Edit Link' button on your toolbar.
3. Click the 'Browse' icon (looks like a camera) next to the URL field.
4. Navigate to the '_assets/documents' folder where you have uploaded your file
5. Select that file and click 'Insert'. Doing so inserts the *dependency tag.
6. Add a title in the title field. This is the text that displays when a user hovers over the link. It is necessary for ADA compliance.
7. Set the Target field to be 'New Window'. This will open the document in a new window.
8. Click OK.
9. Save page.
10. Submit for publish.

*Dependency tag is a special code that identifies the document. When inserted into the URL field it looks like this {{f:########}}. Using it prevents the link from breaking if the document is moved or the document title changes.

Links to Documents Stored Outside OU Campus

• LCC servers:If you have access to a folder inside either of these locations, you can link to your document. These server URLs are:
  
  1. https://services4.lowercolumbia.edu/info/webResources/
  2. https://services4.lowercolumbia.edu/info/webResources2/
• Google Documents: located inside the LCC G-Suite application
• Forms Application - see instructions at Forms Administration - How to Link to a Form

About Document Filename:

Your document filename cannot contain any spaces. The only allowable characters are: [a-z] [0-9-_]. Please name your file appropriately before upload, or it will be rejected by OU Campus.

About Document Filepath:

Once uploaded and linked to, your document address will become part of a filepath that already contains the term 'lowercolumbia.edu'. Therefore it is not necessary to include 'LCC' or 'Lower Columbia College' as part of your filename.

About Document Accessibility

All college-produced documents must meet accessibility standards, according to the LCC Accessibility Plan. It is your responsibility to format your document accordingly.

Link to your Document

1. Obtain link address of your document
   1. On LCC Server: open server URL and navigate to document. Right click name of document and select 'Copy Link Address'
   2. In Google: access document using LCC employee G-suite account. Copy link URL
   3. In Forms Application - see instructions at Forms Administration - How to Link to a Form
2. Navigate to page where you want to link to the document
3. Key in link text and select it.
   1. Review best practices for Link Text and Appearance.
4. Click the 'Insert/Edit Link' button on your toolbar.
5. Paste the Link Address you selected in Step 1 into the URL field.
6. Position your cursor in the URL field and navigate to the part of the URL containing 'wrb.' Remove this part of the address (LCC server documents only)
7. Add a title in the title field. This is the text that displays when a user hovers over the link. It is necessary for ADA compliance.
8. Set the Target field to be 'New Window'. This will open the document in a new window.
9. Click OK.
10. Save page.
11. Submit for publish.