Using Hyperlinks

Why it's important

So that the user knows their destination when clicking on a hyperlink.  This also keeps long URLs out of your course content allowing more focus on the material than URL name.  Meaningful link text makes pages more friendly for all visitors, whether they have a disability or not.  

How to do it

You can create hyperlinks in many areas in Canvas.  The most common place would be in the Rich Content Editor, or in Modules.  

How to Create an Accessible Hyperlink in the Rich Content Editor

Open the Rich Content Editor (Pages, Assignments, Announcements, etc.)

Highlight Text

Insert your content into the Rich Content Editor. Highlight the text where you want to create a hyperlink.

 

Create Hyperlink

Click the link icon.

 

Insert Link

Paste or type the URL you want to link to in the URL field [1]. Click the Insert Link button [2].

 

When finished with the page, don't forget to click Save.

 

How to Create an Accessible Hyperlink in Modules

In Course Navigation, click the Modules link.

 

Add Content

Click the Add Item button.

 

Add External URL

Click the Add [Item Type] To: drop-down menu and select the External URL option.

 

Edit Link Information

Type or paste the URL in the URL field [1]. Give your External URL a Page Name [2]. To have the URL open in a new browser tab, click the Load in a new tab checkbox [3]. Choose whether or not to indent the item in the module drop-down menu [4]. To add the item to the module, click the Add Item button [5].

 

View and Publish your Link

View the link in the module. A hyperlink icon indicates the item is an external URL link. To publish an external URL, click the unpublished icon. The hover text will confirm you want to publish the external URL.