Linking Files to Articles (Joomla 2.5)

Linking the text of an article to a file can be useful in many ways. Joomla 2.5 users can upload different file types (.pdf, .zip, .doc, .xls, etc) to their Media Manager, and then link text or images within a Joomla article directly to the file. This article contains step-by-step instructions for linking the text of an article to a file in your Media Manager or a file saved to your computer. The video below illustrates how to link a .pdf file to an article and also illustrates how to use a 3rd party extension (ARI Docs Viewer) to embed a .pdf file into an article.

First, save your document on your computer. When saving the document, make sure there are no spaces in the file 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. Now, select the method you want to use: uploading a file to the Media Manager, or simply just browsing your computer for the file. 

Linking the Text of an Article to a File in your Media Manager

Linking the Text of an Article to a File on your Computer

Linking 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 computer 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 path 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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 Linking the Text of an Article to a File on your Computer

Using the Joomla Content Editor (JCE), it is possible to bypass the Media Manager altogether, and link the text of an article directly to a file from your computer. Please note, not all filetypes are supported by the JCE. Once in a while, Joomla will support a file type, but the JCE Editor will not. It is possible to create a profile for a file type within the JCE if one doesn't already exist.

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, 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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