#  Resource 

 



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## How to work with the Resource content type

The Resource content type is useful for providing informational resources, external links, and downloadable files, particularly those that are cross-referenced from other site content.

### Step 1: Create a resource

1. Use the platform menu to navigate to **Content > Add Content > Resource**.

### Step 2: Add resource content

Note that resource details display if you choose the **Link to Details Page** resource type. The other resource type options bypass the details page and go directly to the linked resource.

1. Add a name for the resource in the **Resource Name** field. Note that the **Resource Name** will link to the file attachment on resource lists and search results for the **Download File** resource type.
2. Select a **Resource Type** from the following options:
    1. Choose **Link to Details Page** for a resource that when clicked from a list will go to a page about the resource.
    2. Choose **Link to External URL** for a resource that when clicked will go to an external link.
    3. Choose **Download File** for a resource that will download a file as soon as it is clicked from a listing page (requires a **File Attachment**).

   ![Screenshot of portion of the Resource edit screen showing the resource name field and the resource type radio buttons, with the Link to Details Page radio button selected.](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/2024-08/Resource%20name%20and%20type.png?itok=jwPna-WH) 

 

For a Resource with a linked details page, provide a **Resource Name** to serve as a link name and select the **Link to Details Page** radio button.3. Click within the **Body** area. You can add content, images and quotes within this section (see [Text Editor](/resource/text-editor "Text Editor") for details about using the toolbar and text input area). Add your content for the resource in this area.
    1. If you would like to add an image within your content, click on the media icon (see [Adding an image](/adding-an-image "Adding an image") for instructions for adding an image using the text editor).
    2. Format all of your content and images using the text editor.
4. Add a **File Attachment** to the resource, if desired. Note that this step is required for the **Download File** resource type (see [File Attachments ](/resource/file-attachments "File Attachments")for details about ways to link to downloadable files).
    1. Supported file formats are TXT, DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, CSV, PDF, and RTF. Make sure any documents uploaded to your site are accessible (see [document accessibility](https://accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/accessible-documents)).
    2. Select the **Add media** button to select a document from the media library or upload a new document (see [Media Library](/resource/media-library "Media Library") for details about working with the media library).
5. For the **Link to External URL** resource type, enter the external URL in the **Redirect** **URL** field. The **Resource Name** will link to the URL on resource lists and search results.
6. Add additional components to the Resource details page by selecting the **Choose component** button in the **Additional Content** section (see Adding a component for instructions on how to add a component). Components added to this section will display in the **Bottom Region**, below the Resource details.

### Step 3: Configure resource settings

1. Add a descriptive **Excerpt** to display on resource lists and search results.
2. Add a **Thumbnail** to provide additional context about the resource for site visitors.
    1. The optimal image size (in pixels) for a thumbnail image is 960 x 540 (see [Image Sizes](/resource/image-sizes-old "Image Sizes") for more details).
3. We also recommend assigning taxonomy terms to resources, to help filter resource lists and search results (see [Taxonomy best practices](/resource/taxonomy-best-practices "Taxonomy Best Practices") and [Managing taxonomies](/managing-taxonomies "Managing taxonomies") for guidance on creating and using taxonomies).
4. The first time you save a resource, we recommend you save as a **Draft** so that you can preview the resource and its links before publishing it to your site (see [Publish Status](/resource/publish-status "Publish Status") for details about different publication statuses).



 

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##  Related how-tos 

 



  [### Linking to a file

 ](/linking-file)How to create and link to a downloadable file resource, and how to update the file with a newer version.



 

 

   ![View from below of a person ascending a spiral staircase.](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-02/thumb_link_to_file.jpg?itok=xDcGiijN) 

 



 

 

  

 

 

 

 

##  Related resources 

 



  [### File Attachments

 ](/resource/file-attachments)How to upload and link to file attachments.



 

 

   ![Collection of photos attached by clothespins to a length of line.](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-11/thumb_file_attachments.jpg?itok=zD6pS-s6) 

 



 

 

  

 

 

 

 

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##  Learn more about the Resource content type 

 



 ### Examples

Demo Site

See examples of the Resource content type on the [Resources landing page](https://drupaldemo.harvardsites.harvard.edu/resources) of the Department of Rocket Science demo site.



 

   ![](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-12/Firefly%20rocket%20in%20space%209486.jpg?itok=zBGEAUN2) 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 



 

 See also:- [ Content Types ](/site-section/content-types)
- [ How-tos ](/content-structure/how-tos)
- [ Resource Content Type ](/content-types/resource-content-type)
- [ Files ](/general-site-management/files)