New E-learning

Links

A link provides access to another resource: a slide, document, external site, or email address. Its label must be explicit out of context, and any particular behavior (opening in a new window, downloading) must be announced to the learner.

On this page

The link takes the learner to a resource outside the module (site, document, form, email address) or to internal content (slide, layer, lightbox slide). It is inserted on selected text via right-click → Hyperlink (Ctrl+K), or through the “Jump to URL/File” trigger action on an object. 

LMS point of caution (learning management system): a link opened in the current window can interrupt the SCORM session (the technical link between the module and the platform, which records progress) and cause the learner to lose their progress. Open external resources in a new window and state this in the label. 

  1. Access to an external resource: site, article, reference text. 
  2. Downloading a supplementary document (quick-reference sheet, PDF). 
  3. Making contact: email address or support form. 
  1. An action within the module (submit, display a layer, continue): use a button. 
  2. A label that is not explicit out of context ("here," "learn more," a raw URL). 
  3. Opening in a new window or a download not announced to the learner. 

On this page

Implementation

  • Select the text → right-click → Hyperlink (or Ctrl+K) 
  • Enter the URL and set the opening mode (current window or new window) 
  • For an object (image, shape, icon): use the "Jump to URL/File" trigger action 

Explicit label (core rule)

  • The link text must describe its destination, understandable outside of its context. 
  • Prohibited: "click here," "learn more," "read more," "here," as well as a raw URL, which screen readers read out character by character. 
  • The same label must not lead to two different destinations; two different labels must not lead to the same resource. 

Information to be carried by the label, not by visual context

  • Opening in a new window. 
  • Download, with format and file size: "Compliance guide (PDF, 320 KB)." 
  • Opening an email client: display the address as text rather than a generic label. 
  • Right-click → Accessibility… → verify that the object is visible to accessibility tools and fill in Alt text that reproduces the complete label. 
  • A clickable image with no Alt text is announced using the object's name in the timeline: non-compliant. 

Quality of the target

  • Verify the accessibility of the linked resource (tagged document, compliant page) and its availability. 
  • Check links at every module update: a dead link breaks the learning path. 

On this page

Keyboard interaction

The keyboard behavior of hyperlinks was fixed in recent versions of Storyline 360 (March 2026 update). Keep the tool up to date and retest navigation after every version upgrade. 

Accordion keyboard navigation function table
Key Function
Tab/Maj+Tab reach the link or return to the previous element
Space/Enter activate the link