Overview

General Definitions

A hyperlink is a direct connection from the current location of the cursor to another location.

The prefix hyper comes from the Greek meaning above or beyond.

When the browser cursor passes over a hyperlink, the cursor turns into a little hand.  When visitors click on the hyperlinked text, they are sent to another location.

There are several different types of  hyperlinks; each sends the visitor to a different type of location.

You can create a link to:

• a page on another web site
• another page on your own web site
• a Send Message box in an email messaging program
• a specified position somewhere else on the open page
• a specified position on another page in your own web site

By default, a hyperlink appears in a web page as underlined and colored text.

Hyperlinks are describes as having states that are dependent on what the user has done to the hyperlink. Each state can display a different text color. Without specific instructions from the web page developer, the browser will display hyperlinks in predetermined default colors.

• Blue is the default color for the original hyperlink.
• Purple is the default color for a visited hyperlink, that is, a hyperlink to a site which you have already visited.
• Red is the default color for an active hyperlink; the color appears briefly while the user is actually clicking on the text.

In a hyperlink, the hyperlinked text on your web page is said to be anchored to another place, i.e., the destination to which the hyperlink leads.

Thus, the HTML to create a hyperlink starts with the anchor tags, i.e., <A>[clickable text]</A>.

In the sample HTML code above, [clickable text] stands for the text or the image that you wish to turn into a hyperlink. Whatever appears within [clickable text] will actually display on the web page.

So the HTML code for Visit my home page would be:
Visit my <a href:http://www.nvcc.edu/home/ataormina">home page</a>.

When you add hyperlinks to your pages, embed them in your text instead of typing the URL on the page.

Proper : Visit my home page.

Improper: Visit my home page at http://www.nvcc.edu/home/ataormina.

Above all, avoid the phrase "Click here!"

Web Design Center
Dreamweaver 8 Tutorials
© Agatha Taormina
Last Revised: September 30, 2006