Summary: This guide provides instructions for advanced users on how to create a direct, clickable link to a PDF or Doc file within a page's text editor by first uploading the file to a host page and then copying and hyperlinking to its direct URL.
Before You Begin
- These instructions are for advanced users who need to hyperlink text to a downloadable file.
- Notice: Files uploaded to Sites are publically accessible and searchable on Google. Do not upload files with sensitive data.
- The file must be uploaded before you can get the link.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Stage 1: Create a New Page to Host the File
1. Create a new page (e.g., "File Downloads") following the instructions in How to Create a New Page in Sites.
2. Navigate to the File Downloads section on the new page.
3. Click Add File Attachment and Upload the file you would like to link to.
4. Click the Save Page button.
Stage 2: Create a Link to the File
1. Remain on the File Downloads page and Navigate down to the Downloads section.
2. Right-click on the file you uploaded and Click Copy Link Address.
3. Navigate to the page you want to embed the link.
4. Highlight the text you'd like to turn into a link in the text editor.
5. Click the Insert/edit link button in the toolbar.
6. Paste the link copied in Step 2 into the Url field.
7. Click Ok and then Save the block/page changes.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
- The link I pasted is too long (over 255 characters): Use a free shortening service like TinyURL to shorten the link, or upload your PDF to a service like Google Drive or Dropbox for a shorter, external link.
- Can I link directly to a file that's on my computer? No, the file must be uploaded to a public page on your Site (as demonstrated in Stage 1) or to a cloud service (like Google Drive) to get a publicly accessible URL that the web can link to.