Build Documents (PDFs)

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How to Add a Document (PDF)

In T4, you will use the General Content Type to add a document to a page. PDFs are preferred over Word documents for website use because they preserve formatting across all devices, are more secure from unauthorized edits, and can be optimized for accessibility. Unlike Word files, PDFs open directly in browsers, maintain consistent design, and support compression for faster loading.

In this module, you will learn how to ensure the PDF document is accessible, how to add the PDF document to the T4 Media Library, and how to add the PDF document to the content on your Studio Site page.

Learning objectives

  • Understand the purpose of using the General Content Type to add a Document (PDF)
  • Learn how to add and replace an existing Document (PDF) in the T4 Media Library

Instructions

Typically, PDFs are added using the general content type.

  1. In the General Content type, add your text. 
  2. Click where you want the PDF link to appear.
  3. Click on the image icon on the Main Body formatting toolbar. 
  4. Navigate to the T4 Media Library folder where you previously uploaded your PDF.
  5. Click on the PDF.
  6. The name of the PDF (that you entered when you uploaded the PDF to the T4 Media Library) will appear as blue-clickable text in your content.
  7. If you need to update the clickable text to say something else, double-click the text. The "Set media attributes" box will appear. Enter what you'd like the blue-clickable text to say.
  8. Click Save. 
  9. Click Save changes. 

How to add a PDF document to the T4 Media Library

You can add a new PDF document to the T4 Media Library, or you can save over an existing PDF in the T4 Media Library to replace it with a new PDF.

Upload a new PDF to the T4 Media Library

Upload a new PDF to the T4 Media Library

  1. Open T4.
  2. Select the "Content" drop-down menu in the upper left corner.
  3. Click "Media Library."
  4. Navigate to the program. If the program doesn't already have a folder in the T4 Media Library, add one. 
  5. Click "Add Media."
  6. Drag and drop the PDF file into the gray box, or click on the gray box in order to choose a PDF file from your computer.
  7. It is easiest if the "name" field of the PDF is what you want the clickable text to say in the content on the website. However, this can be updated later if needed.
  8. Include a description of the PDF in the "description/alt text" field.
  9. Click "Save Changes."

Replacing an existing PDF in the T4 Media Library

Replace an existing PDF in the T4 Media Library

  1. Save the new PDF with a new file name. Ensure the file name does not match the file name of the existing PDF currently used on your Studio Site. Note: If the PDF file names match exactly, it will create an error on the website.
  2. Open T4.
  3. Select the "Content" drop-down menu in the upper left corner.
  4. Click "Media Library."
  5. Navigate to the program folder in the T4 Media Library.
  6. Locate the existing PDF and click on the name of the PDF (blue clickable text). Note: If needed,  you can click on the Usage tab to see where the PDF is currently used on the website to ensure it is the correct PDF you need to replace.
  7. Drag and drop the new PDF file in the gray box, or click on the gray box in order to choose the file from your computer.
  8. Update the name or description/alt text fields as necessary. 
  9. Click "Save Changes."

Best practices

  • Always double-check PDFs on the live website one hour after the content has been approved and published to ensure it appears the way you expect
  • Use text-based PDFs rather than scanned images to allow screen readers to read the content
  • Keep file sizes small to improve load times
  • Organize PDFs in a structured way within the T4 Media Library for easy management
  • Replace outdated documents in the T4 Media Library rather than deleting and re-uploading to maintain existing links

Additional resources

By now, you should feel confident General Content Type to add PDFs to your website.

Explore the possibilities: Content type examples

Browse through the examples below to see how the type can be used in different scenarios and design choices.

NCCPA PANCE first-time pass rate summary report

For a comparison of the first-time pass rate of the graduating classes with the national average, see the NCCPA PANCE first-time Pass Rate Summary Report.

Ready to enhance your content further?

Check out the next module.

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