Documents

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This section explains how to upload, manage, and link to documents on your website.

Recommended File Format

Whenever possible, use the PDF format when publishing documents to the website. Other file types, such as .docx, .pptx, and .xlsx, are supported, but regardless of the format you choose, all documents must be accessible. See Creating Accessible Documents for accessibility guidance and best practices.

7.1 PDFs vs. Web Pages

Before You Upload a PDF

Before adding a PDF to your website, consider whether the content would be better presented as a webpage instead.

While converting a Google Doc or Microsoft Word document to a PDF can be a convenient way to share information online, it is not always the best option for several reasons:

1. PDFs often present major accessibility issues. Microsoft has a built-in tool for all its products. For the Google Workspace suite, everyone on campus has access to Grackle. Very Important: Departments that publish PDFs online are responsible for ensuring the files meet all of Swarthmore's accessibility standards. Inaccessible PDFs are subject to removal.
2. PDFs are harder to update than HTML pages. Updating a PDF requires fixing the original source document, rerunning accessibility checks, uploading a new version, and updating any links that reference it. Updating a webpage avoids these additional steps.
3. Older PDFs often continue to appear in search engine results even after they have been removed from a website. This can result in visitors accessing outdated information. A webpage, by contrast, typically presents only the current version.

To learn more about creating accessible PDFs with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office, see Creating PDFs.

When should your content be a PDF?

Rarely is the simple answer. There is one situation where a PDF may be the better choice:

• Does the document require highly precise formatting that must be preserved for printing or distribution? If so, a PDF may be appropriate. Important: Even in this case, the PDF must still be fully accessible.

Otherwise, publishing the content as a webpage is usually the better option.

7.2) Accessibility Requirements

All documents hosted on Swarthmore.edu must meet the College’s accessibility policy requirements. Departments are responsible for ensuring that ALL documents shared online are accessible. Our Creating PDFs page provides specific how-to’s. If you still need help or get stuck, please submit a ticket and request an accessibility consultation.

7.3) Hosting Options

When it comes to hosting your PDFs online, you have two options: Drupal or Google Drive. Each offers its own pros and cons. Which option you choose depends on the specific needs of your department:

• Drupal - PDFs can be uploaded directly into the Drupal.
  PROS: Quick and easy to use. Will appear in Google search results.
  CONS: Drupal provides only with a single folder for hosting documents. Creating sub-folders is not possible. Drupal does not offer any access/permissions settings.

• Google Drive - Documents can also be uploaded in your department’s Google Drive Folder. Every department has a Google Drive folder (setup by ITS) that you can also use to share documents on your website.
  PROS: Google Drive allows you create as many sub-folders as you wish to help you organize your content. You can also use Google Drive’s built-in permissions settings to control access to files or folders such as making the PDF on your website only accessible to “Swarthmore-only” users.
  CONS: Requires that you login to Google Drive, upload the PDF to the folder and create a Share link.

7.4) Uploading a Document to Drupal

1. Highlight the text that you wish to be a link to the document. Be sure to include the file type by appending [pdf] to the end of the link. This lets users know they are linking to a document and not to another webpage.
2. Click the LINK icon in the upper right corner or use the keyboard shortcut Command K (on a mac)

1. A new window will appear next to the text that you originally highlighted. Click the “Link to a Document” button.

1. A new window will appear called “Link to a document”. At the top you choose to upload a new document or choose a document that has been previously uploaded into the website’s documents folder.
2. Select the appropriate document from the list using the radio button to the left.
3. Then click the Select Document button located in the lower left corner.
   

1. You will be returned to previous window. Click the Advanced arrow to expand the advanced options.
2. Toggle the the “Open in new window” so that it is active/green.
3. Click the green check mark to save your changes.

1. The text that you originally highlighted will now appear as red and underlined (indicating that it is a link).
2. Save the page in DRAFT mode and then check your work.

7.5) Uploading a Document to Google Drive

Learn more about Google Drive by visiting: Sharing a File from Google Drive

1. Once you’ve followed the steps to upload your document to Google dive, then highlight the text that you wish to be a link to the document. Be sure to include the file type by appending [pdf] to the end of the link. This lets users know they are linking to a document and not to another webpage.
2. Click the LINK icon in the upper right corner.

1. A new window will appear next to the text that you originally highlighted. Add the Google share link generated by Google Drive to the Link URL field.

1. Click the Advanced tab and Toggle the the “Open in new window” selector so that it is active/green. This will make the link open in a new browser tab.