This article explores when it is best to copy and paste information into the WYSIWYG Editor Box vs. linking to the content from the election site.  

Presentation options:  Copy and Paste Content vs. Link to Content

1. Copy and Paste into text editor
2. Copy URL Link
   
   • Use Web Link
   • Create a link

Copy and Paste content to the inline editor

When you copy and paste the content, it will show on the ballot.  This is the most common way to add bios in for candidates or details regarding the proposition, etc, but it is not always the best solution. So when should you link to your content?  Below is a list of examples where it is best to link to bio or content instead of copying and pasting the content into the text editor:

1. Documents with non-trivial layouts including intricate indents, line breaks, and designs (example: resumes)
   
   1. Formatting bullet points might get shuffled about when copying it over.
   2. Table alignment may not translate well
   3. Tabs may not align correctly
2. The documents they sent in are written by hand and scanned.  You can't copy and paste text from a scanned pdf.
3. Strange formatting, font, or other aspects that are customized, but not easily transferable.
   
   • Similar to the other two, this falls in the category of things that really cannot be copied like a custom made page that would lose it’s luster if copied over.

In the above instances it is best to add an external biography URL (Link) to your ballot.  See image below. 

URL LINK TO BIO / CONTENT

In the above example the Candidate's Biography is already posted on a website.   The primary purpose for this feature is to allow you to link to resumes or document hosted on your company/HOA/Board/Association website directly.  So you don't have to copy and paste and edit the text into the ballot.

How to CREATE A LINK

If your content isn't already posted online or can't be easily added to your website, you can create a link to the PDF or word document or excel spreadsheet . How to create a link:

   

1. Select Link button in the WYSIWYG Editor.  ^{NOTE you will be able to copy/paste the link you create into the EXTERNAL BIO URL field late}
2. Select Browse Server and follow the instructions to upload the desired document to the system. Select the document for the link.
   
3. Target = New Window: switch the target in the drop-down box to New Window(_blank) this will make sure the pop-up for voters will open in a new window without taking the voter out of the election site.
   
4. The link will display in the text editor  Simply copy and paste it into the External Biography URL.  If this isn't a biography but another text editor (example bylaw description), you can leave the link in the editor. 
   

Don't forget to save your changes by selecting the "save" button at the bottom of the screen.