• Web accessibility training
• Links
• Creating links

Creating links in T4

If the template allows, always use a dynamic link when linking to T4 content

In T4:

• a dynamic link is created by selecting the content you're linking to from a list.
• a static link is created by simply entering a web address into a field.

Different templates create links in different ways, so the guidance for the various types of link will show you dynamic methods and static methods for each one.

If the content you're linking to is in T4, you should choose a dynamic link method if the template you're using gives you the option to do so.

Although entering a web address may seem like the quickest way to make a link – and may be tempting if you're in a hurry – you should nevertheless avoid linking to T4 content in this way whenever possible.

Why this is important

1. When someone moves or renames T4 content, T4 will automatically update any dynamic links pointing to that content, whereas any static link will break until someone realises the link is broken and manually edits it.
2. When someone attempts to delete T4 content, T4 will issue a warning that some pages are linking to it so that this can first be remedied by:
   • removing the links if they're no longer needed
   • changing the links to point to alternative content
   • realising that the content is needed after all, and deciding not to delete it
   – but T4 can only issue this warning for dynamic links.

What you need to do

This means you'll always need to know if the content you're linking to is in T4 or not. If it's non-University content then it won't be. University content, on the other hand, may or may not be in T4.

If you don't know whether the content you're linking to is in T4, don't rely on webpage appearance to tell you, as sometimes a page can look as though it's in T4 when it isn't. Checking first can save you from wasting time hunting in T4's navigation for a page that isn't there.

To check, you can use our content locator.

Types of link and how to create them

Of the following options, you've already met the ones marked with an asterisk (*) in your introductory training, but they're covered in more detail here.

Select a procedure for creating a link that will:

1. Go to another T4 webpage
2. Open a modal (pop-up window) on the page you're currently editing
3. Go to a specific place within a T4 webpage. This may be within the page you're currently editing, or to a location within a different T4 page.
4. Open a modal (pop-up window) on another T4 webpage.
5. Go to a document in T4's Media Library.*
6. Start an email (email address).*
7. Make a phone call (phone number).
8. Go to a webpage or document hosted outside T4 (includes University and non-University content).*
9. Go to a specific place within a webpage or document hosted outside T4.