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How to Direct Links to Units in Open edX Studio?

Create Internal Navigation Links Between Course Units in Open edX

Overview

Direct links allow you to guide learners seamlessly to external websites or to specific content located elsewhere within your course. When linking within a course, using the correct internal referencing format ensures your links remain intact even if you export, import, or re-run the course later.

Tip: Ensure you are logged into Open edX Studio before starting.

Method 1: Adding a Link to an External Website

Use this method when you want to link a piece of text to an external source, article, or tool.

Procedures:

  1. Open the unit and edit the Text Component where you want to add the link.

  2. In the visual editor, highlight the text that will serve as the clickable link.

  3. Click the Link icon in the editor toolbar.

  4. In the Insert/Edit Link dialog box, paste the destination web address into the URL field.

  5. Target Option: If you want the link to open in a separate tab so learners do not lose their place in the course, select the dropdown arrow next to Open Link In... and choose New Window.

  6. Click OK or Save.

  7. Click the Save button on the Text component.

  8. Test the link by using the Preview or View Live Version buttons at the top right of the unit editor.

Screenshot 2026-05-20 at 12.26.45 PM

Method 2: Adding a Link to an Internal Course Unit

To cross-reference another unit inside your course, you must use its unique Location ID. This prevents the link from breaking if your course domain changes.

Procedures:

Step 1: Copy the Unit Location ID

  1. Navigate to the destination unit (the page you want to send learners to).

  2. Look at the right-hand panel of the unit editor under Unit location.

  3. Locate the Location ID field.

  4. Click the copy icon or highlight and copy the alphanumeric identifier string.

Screenshot 2026-05-20 at 12.56.45 PM

Step 2: Insert the Jump Link

  1. Go back to the unit and open the Text Component where the link should live.

  2. Highlight the text you want to make clickable.

  3. Click the Link icon in the editor toolbar.

  4. In the URL field, input the command following this exact format: /jump_to_id/LOCATION_ID (Replace LOCATION_ID with the actual alphanumeric text you copied in Step 1).

  5. Example: /jump_to_id/a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0

  6. Click Insert or OK.

  7. Click Save on the Text component.

Caution: Always use the /jump_to_id/ format with both forward slashes. Do not paste the raw browser URL from your address bar. If you use the browser URL, the link will break completely if the course is exported, imported, or duplicated as a re-run.

Important Rules

  • Publishing Requirement: For an internal link to work correctly for learners in the LMS, the destination unit must be published. If it is in draft form, the link will result in an error for non-staff users.

  • Component Deletion: If you delete a unit or component that is being targeted by a jump link, the link will become broken. You must manually remove or update the link in the source text.