Utilizing Descriptive Text

Why and how to write meaningful descriptive text links

To provide clarity for screen readers and a better experience for all users, avoid using "here" or "click here" as link labels. Write meaningful text that indicates the link's destination or provides a description of the content being linked to.

Examples:

Web Page

Labeling the URL, http://www.washington.edu/accessibility/checklist/, as "Accessibility Checklist by UW" provides the user better clarity around what content to expect when they click the link.

File

For files, avoid using the filename as the link text. For a file called "speedyessentials_syllabusversion2_Aug2025.docx" create a link to the file that reads something like, "Syllabus for Speedy's Essentials - Fall 2025"

Embedded Videos

Instead of using a YouTube link by itself, such as, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFjMY9weYRA, apply appropriate descriptive text: The Evergreen State College celebrates the Class of 2017

How To

To apply text to a link, use the link tool in the platform or application you are using. The following examples outline the steps for creating a descriptive link for a syllabus file using either a Canvas page or module.

• (Please note: the steps start after the syllabus file has been uploaded/added to your site.)

Link file via a Canvas page

1. click "Edit" at upper right
2. click to place your cursor in the page where you would like the syllabus to appear for students, add the text you'd like to use for the syllabus in that location, and select/highlight the text with your cursor
3. in the Rich Content Editor toolbar, click the "Documents" icon (looks like a piece of paper)
4. in the drop-down menu, select "Course Documents"
5. locate the file in the list of available documents and click on its name - this action should link the file with the text you entered and have selected in the page
6. close the file selection window by clicking the "X" in the upper right corner
7. in order to check the link is working, the page needs to be saved first - scroll to the bottom of the page and click the blue "Save" button

Link file via a Canvas module

1. at the module you'd like to add the syllabus file, click the "+" button at right-end of the module name
2. in the drop-down "Add" menu, select "File"
3. from the list of available files, click the name of the file you want to add, then click the blue "Add Item" button at lower right
4. this is going to add the file using its file name - to change the file name to descriptive text link, go the file in the module, click the column of 3 dots to right end of the file name
5. in the pop-out menu, click "Edit"
6. in the "Edit Item Details" window's "Title" field, enter the appropriate descriptive text
7. when finished, click the blue "Update" button at lower right

Related Canvas Guides

• For linking a file to a Page, Assignment, Discussion, see "How do I link to a document from Canvas in the Rich Content Editor?"
• For adding/linking a file in a Module, see "How do I add course content as module items?"