How do I create hyperlinks to external URLs in the Rich Content Editor?

Using the Rich Content Editor, you can create hyperlinks to external resources. Several features in Canvas support the Rich Content Editor, including Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Pages, and Quizzes.

00:07: How do I create hyperlinks to external URLs in the Rich Content Editor? 00:12: There are several ways to add external hyperlinks using the Rich Content Editor or RCE. 00:18: First, select the text that you want to hyperlink. 00:22: To insert a link from the toolbar, click the Link icon and select the External Links option. 00:28: The "Insert Link" modal opens and the selected text will be pre-filled in the "Text" field. 00:34: Paste or type the URL for your hyperlink in the Link field. 00:38: Click the "Done" button. 00:40: The text will briefly flash before turning into the hyperlink. 00:44: Then the text will appear as a hyperlink in the RCE. 00:48: To create a hyperlink using the menubar, click the Insert menu, select the Link option, and select the External Links option. 00:56: Fill the fields in the Insert Link modal and click "Done". 01:00: Alternatively, you can create external hyperlinks using keyboard shortcuts. Select the text for your hyperlink. Then press Ctrl+K on a PC Keyboard or Cmd+K on a Mac. 01:14: Fill the fields in the Insert Link modal and click "Done". 01:18: Once the RCE content is saved, external hyperlinks automatically open in a new browser tab when clicked. 01:26: This guide covered how do create hyperlinks to external URLs in the Rich Content Editor.

Open Rich Content Editor

Open Rich Content Editor

Open the Rich Content Editor when using one of the Canvas features which support the Editor.

Note: The Rich Content Editor supports keyboard shortcuts. To view the Keyboard Shortcuts menu, click the Keyboard icon or press ALT+F8 (PC keyboard) or Option+F8 (Mac keyboard).

Create Hyperlink from Toolbar

To insert a link from the toolbar, click the Link icon [1]. From the drop-down menu, select the External Links option [2].

Note: To view the Link icon, you may have to click the Options icon [3].

Create Hyperlink from Menubar

Click the Insert link [1]. Navigate to view the Link options [2], and select the External Links option [3].

Insert Link

Enter the text for your hyperlink in the Text field [1].

Paste or type the URL for your hyperlink in the Link field [2].

Click the Done button [2].

Notes:

  • The text will flash before turning into the hyperlink.
  • When clicked, external hyperlinks automatically open in a new browser tab.

Create Link Using Keyboard Shortcut

Create Link Using Keyboard Shortcut

Alternatively, you can create external hyperlinks using keyboard shortcuts. After adding content in the Rich Content Editor, select the text for your hyperlink.

Then press Cmd+K (Mac keyboard) or Ctrl+K (PC Keyboard).

Insert Link

Paste or type the URL for the hyperlink in the URL field [1], then click the Save button [2].

Note:

  • The text will flash before turning into the hyperlink.
  • When clicked, external hyperlinks automatically open in a new browser tab.
View Hyperlink

View the hyperlink in the Rich Content Editor.

Save Changes

Save Changes

Click the Save button.

Note: When using the Rich Content Editor in Discussions, the Save button may appear as the Reply button.

View Content

View Content

View the hyperlink in your content.

Note: When clicked, external hyperlinks automatically open in a new browser tab.