# Add a Reference or Hyperlink

You can add two types of references or hyperlinks to your content text: references to other elements in the method library or references to external text with a URL that resides outside the method library.

Text fields that support hyperlinks have a twisty symbol next to the text field's label. Click the symbol to expand the field into a full text editor.

To insert a hyperlink to another element in the method library into a text field, locate the element you want to create a link to in the library or configuration view and then drag it into the appropriate text field, The link to the element is added as a method element with type prefix, meaning that the method element name is prefixed with the method element type. You can also drag a method element into an unexpanded text field that supports hyperlinks with the same result.

You can use the Add Link function in the rich text editor to add links that are references to other method elements or links to files or Web pages. This gives you further options in how your links are displayed.

1. In the text editor, position the cursor where you want to insert the link and then click the Add Link button in the tool bar. The Add Link dialog opens.
2. Click the Browse button to locate and select the element you wish to create a link to. There are several options for creating links to other content elements, with each option offering a different way for displaying the link's name:
   - Method element: the link displays the element name.
   - Method with type prefix: the link displays the element name and type.
   - Method element with custom text: the link displays user defined text. To define this text manipulate the text in between the <a></a< tags in the URL text field one you have selected an element using the Browse button.
3. To insert a hyperlink to an external URL, select URL from the Type drop down list, type the URL details in the URL field, and then click OK.
4. To insert a hyperlink to a file, in the Type drop down list, click File, enter the file name or browse to find the file, and then click OK. Each time you add a link you can choose to have the target open in the same browser window or in a new window.

Related concepts
Rich Text Editor