GC Design System Components
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Link
<gcds-link>

Also called: anchor, hyperlink, call to action.

A link is a navigational element that brings a person to a new page, website, file, or section on the current page.

  • GitHub
  • Figma

Link component preview

A link is a navigational element that takes a person to a website or opens a source, like a pdf.

Provide information for download files

  • Provide information in the link text about the file type and size of files for download: <gcds-link href="application.pdf" download>Application 2023 (PDF, 1.5 MB)</gcds-link>.
  • Avoid placing the download link within paragraph text.

Note: Only files with URLs of the same origin as the website will be downloaded to the user’s device.

  • A skip-to-content link lets a person skip a cluster of navigation links and jump to the main content.
  • To avoid covering up content, configure the link to push down content so it’s not floating, For desktop, place skip-to-content link at top left of the page so it doesn’t interrupt the flow.
  • Add an external link by setting the external attribute to true.
  • Avoid adding external links:
    • In the middle of a person’s progress, like when a person’s filling out a form.
    • If changing pages would make them lose unsaved progress.
    • When starting a process would stop if the person follows a link, like when they’re watching a video or completing a main task.
    • When they’re invasive and disruptive to the flow of the page.
    • When it could be a surprise for a person to find themselves somewhere else unexpectedly.
  • Make it obvious where a link will lead, so a person can decide if they should leave the current page.
  • Communicate clearly when links have special conditions. For example, when they’re only available inside a closed network because of a firewall.

Get your code

Generate an instance of the component you need by selecting its code properties.

  1. Explore by choosing different code values to generate the instance you want.

  2. Get the code and pull it into your environment.

  3. Add any copy you need to the component (like text for a label).

Note: The code builder uses English for all code elements, which follows standard practice.

Help us improve

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2024-02-21