Category 4: Descriptive Text for Links
Descriptive links are used instead of placing a webpage URL directly in your content. The Canvas Rich Content Editor (RCE) allows you to create descriptive text links easily. Follow the steps in this guide to ensure your links make sense to students and are accurately read by assistive technology.
- Navigate to a Canvas course to add the descriptive text link.
- Use the RCE to type the descriptive text that you want to see.
- Highlight the text you just typed.
- Look for the Link icon in the toolbar.
- In the External Link field, paste the URL of the web page you want to link to.
- Click the Done button to insert the link into your text.
- Save your changes.
- Review your new descriptive text link to ensure it looks and functions as intended.
Need more detail?
Delve into the in-depth walkthrough below, complete with images and various notes for every step.
In-Depth Walkthrough
Step 1
Log in to your Canvas account and navigate to the course, page, or assignment where you want to add the descriptive text link.
Step 2
Click on the "Edit" button of the space you want to work on to open the Rich Content Editor. Use the RCE to type the descriptive text that you want to see. Your descriptive text should be a concise and clearly indicate the content being linked. Avoid making your link more than 3-5 words or using vague references like "click here" or "visit this page to learn more".
Step 3
Highlight the text you just typed by clicking and dragging your cursor over it.
Step 4
Look for the Link icon in the toolbar that looks like a chain link. Alternatively, you can click the Insert option to select Link, then External Link.
- The External Link option is used to link to content outside your Canvas course.
- The Course Link option is used to link to an area within your Canvas course.
Step 5
In the External Link field, paste the URL of the webpage you want to link to. Make sure it starts with "http://" or "https://".
Step 6
Click the Done button to insert the link into your text. You will see the link is live because the text will be blue and underlined.
Step 7
Click the Save or Save and Publish button at the bottom of the page to save your changes. The linked text displays in red once you save.
Step 8
Review your new descriptive text link to ensure it looks and functions as intended. As web content frequently changes, there is also a validate links in content tool in your course Settings to help you ensure links are still functional each term.
Descriptive Text for Links FAQ
How do descriptive links help someone with disabilities?
Descriptive links ensure that the purpose of each link is clear when read by assistive technology. For users with visual impairments who rely on screen readers, descriptive links provide useful context to inform their decision to click them. Screen readers often read out a list of links on a page, and non-descriptive links like "click here" or "read more" provide no context, making it difficult for these users to navigate effectively. Full URLs pasted in the text are read as is, which is overwhelming to listen to.
Do descriptive links help people without disabilities?
Yes. Descriptive links provide clear information about the destination or content behind the link, reducing ambiguity and helping users understand what to expect when they click on it. When users encounter non-descriptive links, they often have to read surrounding text to understand the link's context, which increases cognitive load. Descriptive links reduce this need, allowing users to make quicker decisions and navigate more efficiently.
