May 24th, 2005
Creating links to a web page
Back in February I posted a series of tips
about creating links to other content. The tips provided an overview
of links, as well as details about document
links and linking to multiple
documents in a view via Copy
Selected As Table.
I just noticed, I left out a link type that I use several times a day...
links to web sites, or URL Hotspots.
When surfing web sites, you often see underlined text that provides a link
to another page. Using these "hotspots" instead of showing
the full web address results in the page being more readable.
You can do the same thing when using Lotus Notes. If I want to link
someone to the IBM home page, rather than typing something such as:
You could create a link hotspot that contains the link you want to user
to click on.
To begin, select the text you wish to turn into a hotspot.
Next choose Create - Hotspot - Link Hotspot.
This brings up the Properties
Box, where you can enter the
web address, or URL.
If you would like a larger dialog box to enter the information into, you
can click on the formula icon and
a dialog box will pop-up. This dialog box allows for some very advanced
features such as adding Fields or @Functions, but I think most users will
not need to use these.
The Hotspot Resource Link dialog box also provides you a "paste"
icon ,
so if you already have the URL on your clipboard you can just click on
this icon.
If you would like you can also choose to "Show Border around hotspot",
this places a green box around the text where the hotspot exists.
This border is only available to Lotus Notes users.
Instead of using the borders, I like to underline my hotspots so they appear
similar to links found on web pages. To do this, place your cursor
anywhere in the hotspot text (you don't have to highlight the whole thing)
and press CTRL+U to underline. (or use the toolbar icon)
If you prefer to use your keyboard as opposed to menus, after selecting
the text you want to turn into a hotspot, press ALT+C+H+L. I find
this very easy to do, as I just think to myself "Create - Hotspot
- Link".
I use HotSpot links several times a day... in emails, in calendar entries,
in TeamRoom documents, and more. I hope this tip helps you, especially
with really long URLs that you don't want users to have to read!
