Hyperlink

Parent page: Sch Dialogs

The Hyperlink dialog

Summary

This dialog provides controls to specify the properties of a Hyperlink object. A hyperlink is a non-electrical drawing primitive. Similar to a text string, it can be placed anywhere on a sheet. Where it differs is in its ability to link to a web page or to a document on a local or shared drive through specification of a target URL. This offers a fast, convenient alternative when providing access to datasheets for components used in a design. A hyperlink object can also provide a beneficial link to your own organization's website within the title blocks of your schematic source documents.

Access

The Hyperlink dialog can be accessed during placement by pressing the Tab key.

After placement, the dialog can be accessed in one of the following ways:

• Double-click on the placed hyperlink object.
• Place the cursor over the hyperlink object, right-click then choosing Properties from the context menu.

Options/Controls

• Color - click the color sample to change the text color using the standard Choose Color dialog.
• Location X/Y - the current X (horizontal) and Y (vertical) coordinates for the bottom-left corner of the hyperlink's bounding rectangle (when placed with zero rotation). Edit these values to change the position of this corner in the horizontal and/or vertical planes respectively.
• Orientation - specify the orientation of the hyperlink, counterclockwise in relation to the horizontal. Options available are: 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees.
• Horizontal Justification - specify how the hyperlink is to be horizontally justified. This will depend on its current Orientation and Location X/Y. The following justification options are available, using a placed hyperlink with 0 degrees orientation as an example:
  • Left - the left edge of the hyperlink's bounding rectangle is against the X = Location X line.
  • Center - the hyperlink's bounding rectangle is centered across the X = Location X line.
  • Right - the right edge of the hyperlink's bounding rectangle is against the X = Location X line.
• Vertical Justification - specify how the hyperlink is to be vertically justified. This will depend on its current Orientation and Location X/Y. The following justification options are available, using a placed hyperlink with 0 degrees orientation as an example:
  • Top - the top edge of the hyperlink's bounding rectangle is against the Y = Location Y line.
  • Center - the hyperlink's bounding rectangle is centered across the Y = Location Y line.
  • Bottom - the bottom edge of the hyperlink's bounding rectangle is against the Y = Location Y line.
• Mirror - enable this option to flip the hyperlink across an axis that depends on its current Orientation and Location X/Y.

Properties

• Text - use this field to directly enter the required link text, i.e. the text that is displayed on the sheet. Alternatively, make use of special strings available from the associated drop-down. Special strings appear in the format =<ParameterName>. They are derived from parameters defined at the document and/or project level.

Document-level parameters are defined on the Parameters tab of the Document Options dialog (Project | Content | ). Project-level parameters are defined on the Parameters tab of the Options for PCB Project dialog (Project | Content | ).

• URL - the target web page. Enter the URL directly or copy and paste the address from your browser. To confirm the correct address, click the  control. This will open the target URL as a tabbed document inside CircuitStudio.

• Font - this control serves two purposes. First, it reflects the currently chosen font for the text in terms of Font Name, Font Size and Font Style. Second, when clicked it provides access to the standard Font dialog in which you can change the font as required.

• Locked - enable this option to protect the hyperlink from being edited graphically.