Link grid

The link grid organizes links that function as calls to action (CTAs) or highlight topics. It guides people to important services and topics. The grid can also be used by content creators to lead users to specific content.

When viewed on a computer, the grid is a maximum of 3 links wide. On mobile devices, this grid collapses into a single column.

When and how to use it

Use the link grid to highlight the top things people need. Organize the links in a way that makes sense for people’s primary needs.

The link grid is typically used on the homepage of a site so visitors can find and get to useful content quickly.

Only use the link grid if you have two or more links to add to it.

How not to use it

Avoid using more than 9 links. The link grid is intended to highlight the most important content. The recommended maximum grid size is 3 rows by 3 columns.

Because the grid collapses into one column on mobile, large grids may occupy several screens. This can hide lower links.

Demo and sample markup

<div class="cagov-grid">
  <a href="linkurl" class="no-deco cagov-card">
    <span class="card-text">card title here</span>
    <svg
      xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
      enable-background="new 0 0 24 24"
      height="24px"
      viewBox="0 0 24 24"
      width="24px"
    >
      <g>
        <path d="M0,0h24v24H0V0z" fill="none" />
      </g>
      <g>
        <polygon points="6.23,20.23 8,22 18,12 8,2 6.23,3.77 14.46,12" />
      </g>
    </svg>
  </a>
  <a href="linkurl" class="no-deco cagov-card">
    <span class="card-text"
      >this is an example of a very long text string card title here</span
    >
    <svg
      xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
      enable-background="new 0 0 24 24"
      height="24px"
      viewBox="0 0 24 24"
      width="24px"
    >
      <g>
        <path d="M0,0h24v24H0V0z" fill="none" />
      </g>
      <g>
        <polygon points="6.23,20.23 8,22 18,12 8,2 6.23,3.77 14.46,12" />
      </g>
    </svg>
  </a>
  <a href="linkurl" class="no-deco cagov-card">
    <span class="card-text">card title 3 here</span>
    <svg
      xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
      enable-background="new 0 0 24 24"
      height="24px"
      viewBox="0 0 24 24"
      width="24px"
    >
      <g>
        <path d="M0,0h24v24H0V0z" fill="none" />
      </g>
      <g>
        <polygon points="6.23,20.23 8,22 18,12 8,2 6.23,3.77 14.46,12" />
      </g>
    </svg>
  </a>
</div>

Specs

Project installation

The instructions assume familiarity with npm package management tool and Sass.

1. Include SCSS in your compiler.
2. Add the sample markup from the component to your HTML.
3. Modify the sample markup with your URLs and card text as needed. Refer to the Content model section for notes on mapping your data to the sample markup.

CDN installation

We recommend using a build system and bundling your CSS for faster performance. If you do not use a build system, you can include the code from our CDN with a link tag.

<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.designsystem.webstandards.ca.gov/components/ds-link-grid/v3.0.1/dist/index.css">

CSS variables

The following CSS variables are used in this component:

• --primary-700
• --accent2-500
• --gray-100
• --gray-300
• --border-1
• --border-5
• --radius-2
• --s-1
• --s-2
• --s-3
• --font-size-5
• --font-lineheight-3

All CSS variables define their own fallback value so you do not have to use additional CSS unless you want to change them. You may define your own value for the variable by adding your own style rules. Here is an example defining the global hex value for a CSS variable named “--primary-700”:

:root {
  --primary-700: #165ac2;
}

Accessibility

Component-specific accessibility review

• Make sure that the button has solid, 2px outline that uses --accent2-500 variable on focused state.
• Make sure that the svg arrow inside of each link has aria-hidden=”true” attribute.

Standard accessibility review

As a component in Alpha status, this component must pass the following accessibility reviews every time a new version is published:

• Tested with the axe accessibility tool and passes all automated WCAG Level AA checks
• Reviewed with the VoiceOver screen reader on desktop
• Verified keyboard navigation and that all actionable elements of the component are reachable via keyboard commands only
• Reviewed component layout on a variety of screen sizes

Progressive enhancement

This is an HTML- and CSS-only component. JavaScript is not required. It uses CSS variables to inherit design token values. Token definitions are not required because these style rules provide fallback values.

Content model

This component uses the following data attributes. We provide this information to help with integrating the component into backend publishing systems or identifying content that may require translation.

Contributor/developer documentation

• Component information

• Unit tests