What is a grid of links?

A grid of links allows you to display text links in a configurable grid layout.

You can choose to add short descriptions to each link. Both the link title and the description will be linked. Links can be displayed in 2, 3 or 4 columns.

Use a grid of links when:

  • you have 3 or more links that can be logically grouped together
  • you need to provide an overview of content in a section
  • users can easily choose which links are relevant to them with no context or very brief context
  • the links support or complement the page's core content.

A grid of links shouldn't be used when:

  • you have more than 9 links
  • links will be more useful when incorporated into core page text
  • users will require more context to select links that are most relevant to them – consider using a pane grid
  • images are required to convey the message – consider using a card grid.
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How to create a grid of links

A grid of links can be created by:

  • site builders.

Use the in-place editor to create a grid of links:

  1. Click 'Customize this page' in the black Drupal menu at the bottom of the page, and then click the plus icon (+) in the blue box at the top of page.
  2. Select 'UQ' from the side menu, and then click 'Grid of links'.
  3. Enter a title to help page editors identify the panel. This title won't appear on the page.
  4. Select a 'View mode' to choose the number of columns in the grid.
  5. Click 'Add new link' to add a link.
  6. Enter a title and the URL for the link. To link to a page on the current site, use the search button to look up the page and insert the link.
  7. If you need to add context to the links, add descriptions. If you're adding descriptions, you should add them to all links in the grid.
  8. Use the 'Add another link' button to add more links to the grid (up to 9).
  9. Click 'Finish' to add the grid of links to the page.
  10. Apply the section style to the panel to finalise the layout.
  11. Click 'Save' in the black Drupal menu at the bottom of the page to publish the changes.
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How to edit a grid of links

Site builders can:

  • edit an existing grid of links
  • add, edit, remove or reorder links
  • change the 'View mode' of a grid of links to set the number of columns in the grid.

Editors and site coordinators can:

  • edit an existing grid of links
  • add, edit, remove or reorder links.

To edit a grid of links, follow the instructions for editing panels on panel pages.

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Best practice

  • Use brief and clear link titles (up to 3 words).
  • Keep the link descriptions concise (no more than 2 lines).
  • Select a number of columns that will spread the links evenly across the grid. Avoid creating rows with one or more empty columns if possible.
  • Use the section pane style to add a title and summary to the panel to provide context for why the links have been grouped together.
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Fields

Complete all required fields and as many optional fields as necessary to provide the best user experience.

Field name

Required field?

Function

Title

No

Administrative title to help page editors identify the panel. This title won't appear on the page.

View mode

Yes

Select the number of columns in the grid.
Default is '3 Column'.

Link > Title

Yes

Main link text. Maximum 60 characters.

Link > URL

Yes

Use the search function to insert links to pages on the current site. Use absolute URLs for external links.

Link > Description

No

Short description to appear under the link title.

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