JCE: Linking Files to Articles

Linking the text of an article to a file can be useful in many ways. Joomla users can upload different file types (.pdf, .zip, .doc, .xls, etc) to their Media Manager, and then link text or images within an article directly to the file using the Joomla Content Editor (JCE). Before you begin, save your document on your PC. When saving the document, make sure there are no spaces in the name (Joomla won t recognize the file if there are spaces). For the purposes of this article (and the screenshots below) we will illustrate how to do this using a .pdf file.

How to link the text of an Article to a file in your Media Manager

How to link the text of an Article to a file on your PC

How to link the text of an Article to a file in your Media Manager

Next, after logging into the Administration area (the back end) of your site, go to your Media Manager.

Once inside the Media Manger, go to the Upload files area, select the "Choose File" button to browse your PC for the file you created. Once you select it, and the name of the file appears in the field, select the "Start Upload" button. When complete, you'll see file inside your Files area. If the file saves successfully, you'll also notice the blue "Upload Complete: filename.pdf" message in your Media Manager.

Next, go to Content > Article Manager > Add New Article, or go to the article that you've already created where you want to create the link.

Some of your visitors may have a browser that cannot render certain file types to view in the browser. In this case, the browser will download the file for them to view.

In the Link window that opens, select the browse icon.

And then select the file you previously uploaded.

This will take you back to the link window where you will see the pathway to the file in the URL field. Select the insert button, and you're almost done.

You'll be returned to your Article and you'll see that the link is active. If you connect that article to a menu item, return to the front end of your site, and hit refresh, you'll be able to view your .pdf file.

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How to link the text of an Article to a file on your PC

Using the JCE, it is possible to bypass the Media Manager altogether, and link the text of an Article directly to a file from your PC. First, go to Content > Article Manager > Add New Article, or go to the article that you ve already created where you want to create the link. Once inside the article, highlight the text that you'd like to link, and select the link icon in the JCE.

In the Link area that opens, select the browse icon.

A File Browser area will open which contains images and folders in your Media Manager. Instead of selecting a file from the Media Manager, select the Upload icon.

In the Upload area, select the Browse button.

At this point, you'll be able to browse your PC for the document. Once you select the file, you'l be returned to the Upload area and the file name will appear in the window. Select Upload.

Now, in the File Browser window, you'll see the name of the file you just uploaded. Select the file in the File Browser, and select the Insert button.

Back in the link window, the URL field will contain the pathway for Joomla to access the image. You can select a target for the link (to open in a new window, stay in the same window, etc), or not set it at all, and then select the Insert button.

And finally, after all those steps, you'll be returned to your article and you'll see that the link is active.

If you connect that article to a menu item, return to the front end of your site, and hit refresh, you'll be able to view your .pdf file.

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