RE: Linking to non HTML Resources (PDF) (Word doc) etc. [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

Hi Andrea

It is our practice to include the format and size of the download in the link text.  For example:

Guide to linking (PDF, 16KB)

The reason we do this is so that our users, whether they use a browser, screen reader or other assistive technology, know what they’re getting if they activate the link.  This is very helpful when more than one format is on offer as it gives the user the option of choosing the format they’d like to read.  It also gives them the option of NOT opening the resource if they’re not ready/willing to (eg PDF on older smart phones is problematic).

Hope this helps …

Regards
Paul Matthews


From: Andrea Douglas [mailto:dougl361@umn.edu]
Sent: Thursday, 17 January 2019 11:44 AM
To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Subject: Linking to non HTML Resources (PDF) (Word doc) etc.

I’m looking for guidance on linking to non-HTML resources in web pages, for example, pdfs, Word docs, Excel docs. Specifically, is it better to link to the format name (Word) or (Word doc) or (doc) or (docx) ?
It seems the link text for (pdf) is straightforward as it describes the_format_AND the file_extension_. However, other common links (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) the format (Word for example) is different from the file extension ( doc or docx for example).

Feedback and thoughts are appreciated.

For example:
County Resource (pdf)
County Resource (doc)

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