Creating a Link to a New Content File

You can create a link to a new content file (contributor data file or native document), which will be checked into the content server as a managed site asset.

To create a link to a new content file, perform these tasks:

1. Highlight the text (or image) that you would like to turn into a link.

2. Click the Create Hyperlink icon (Figure) in the toolbar.

   Create Hyperlink Icon

   
   

   The Link wizard is launched (see Link Wizard).

3. Select Link to a file.

4. Click Next.

   
   

   Note: You can step through the wizard faster by clicking the blue arrow to the left of the option you want to use. This automatically selects the option and moves the wizard to the next step.

   
   

5. Select either New Contributor data file or New native file, depending on which type of file you want to add. For a new native document, also select the file format from the menu. The site designer decides what file formats are allowed for new native documents. (See also Considerations When Creating a Link to a File.)

6. Click Next.

   The standard content check-in page on the content server is displayed.

7. Enter the appropriate content information (metadata) to check the item into the content server. Much of the information will be automatically provided. If a field name is marked red, then the field is required (that is, the item cannot be checked in if the field is empty). Please note that the new contributor data file or native document will be empty until a site contributor (you or someone else) edits it.

   Click Next when you have finished.

8. Choose the target section for the link. You can choose from the following options:

   • Use default website section metadata: If you choose this option, the hyperlinked content file will display in the Web site section as currently specified in the Web Site Section metadata field for the content file. If the site designer allows contributors to select the URL format of links, you must use an ID-based URL format (see next step).

   • Choose a website section: If you choose this option, the hyperlinked content file will display in the Web site section of your choice (in effect overriding the default target section of the content file). The section may be in the current Web site or another Site Studio site on the content server.

   • Link to the Content Item's URL: If you choose this option, the file will display exactly as it is stored on the content server rather than within the framework of the Web site. This is useful for linking to native documents such as PDF files.

   Click Next to continue.

9. Depending on the site configuration, you may be prompted to choose the URL format of the link:

   • Path-based URL: The link will contain a path to the target location. You have two choices for this type of link:

     • Absolute Path: Generates a full path; for example <!--$ssServerRelativeSiteRoot-->Menus/switched_region_CDF (where "<!--$ssServerRelativeSiteRoot-->" gets replaced with the path to the root of the Web site).

     • Relative Path: Generates a relative path instead of a full path; for example ../Menus/switched_region_CDF.

     Please note that this option is not available if you chose to use the default Web site section for the content file as the target section (see previous step).

   • ID-based URL: The link will contain the coded identity of the target location rather than the path-based name. You have three choices for this type of link:

     • Client Side Script Format: Uses client-side JavaScript to construct a link to the target location; for example, javascript:link('switched_region_CDF');.

     • Server Side Script Format: Uses server-side Idoc Script to construct a link to the target location; for example, <!--$wcmUrl("link","switched_region_CDF")-->.

     • URL token format: Uses a redirect on the server to construct a link to the target location; for example, ssLINK/switched_region_CDF.

   
   

   Note: You may not see the URL format page, depending on whether the site designer chose to allow contributors to make this decision. Ask your site designer for assistance if you are unsure which URL format to pick.

   
   

10. Click Options.

    The Link Target Options dialog is displayed.

11. If you want the link to open in a new web browser window when clicked, select the Open link target in new window check box, and then choose the target in the menu (_blank). You can also directly enter the name of the target in the text box if you want, but if it is not a valid target, the link will be faulty.

12. Click OK or Cancel to return to the wizard.

13. Click Next.

14. Verify the URL for the link.

15. Click Finish.