A link to a document should say so

Rule link-download-format · Links & buttons · impact moderate · Static + live

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Why it matters#

A link that opens a PDF or spreadsheet instead of a web page changes the user’s context: a new application may take over, and screen-reader users can land in a document with entirely different navigation. When the link text gives no warning, nothing distinguishes it from an ordinary page link until it is too late.

How to fix#

Put the format in the accessible name — "Annual report (PDF)" — rather than only in the href. Adding the file size helps too. The download attribute alone is not announced.

Example#

<a href="/annual-report.pdf">Annual report</a>

<a href="/annual-report.pdf">Annual report (PDF)</a>

Example#

<a href="/data/sales.xlsx">Sales figures</a>

<a href="/data/sales.xlsx">Sales figures (Excel)</a>

WCAG success criteria#

2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) — Level A#

The purpose of each link should be clear from its text (or its programmatically-associated context).

Understanding 2.4.4

Standards#

This rule contributes to the following standards:

WCAG A EN 301 549

References#

• WCAG — Link Purpose (In Context)