Configure a URL input

Permissions required

Members of all Default Permission Groups, or Custom Permission Groups with the site:file:write permission, can configure inputs in all locations in the configuration cascade. You can limit permission to specific locations in the configuration using file globs.

A URL input is an editing interface for relative, absolute, and fully qualified URLs. By configuring your inputs, you can customize the appearance and functionality for a better editing experience.

A screenshot of the URL Input in the Data Editor shows an external URL value with a preview of the URL image, title, and subtitle.

These instructions assume that you know where in the configuration cascade you want to configure your input. For more information, please read our documentation on URL inputs, inputs in general, and the configuration cascade.

To configure a URL input:

Open your website files in your local development environment, or log in to CloudCannon and select the Site for which you want to configure your input.
Navigate to the location in the configuration cascade where you want to configure your input. This can be the root of your CloudCannon Configuration File, within the collections_config.* key in your CloudCannon Configuration File, a Schema file, the frontmatter of a markup file, or any where you configure a Structure.
Identify the _inputs key, or create one at that level of the configuration cascade.
Add an input name key for your input under the _inputs key (a.k.a., _inputs.*). We recommend naming your input something simple that indicates the function or context.
Add the type key under your input name key, with the value url.
(Optional.) Add any other general configuration keys (e.g., label, comment, context) under your input name key.
(Optional.) Add any specific configuration keys under _inputs.*.options (e.g., pattern, pattern_message).

CloudCannon will now apply this input configuration to all markup files that use your input name key, without needing to save your configuration. This allows you to make changes to your input configuration and see those changes affect inputs live.

When you are happy with your input configuration, you must save your input configuration.

cloudcannon.config.yaml

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_inputs:
  associate_link:
    type: url

All inputs are defined under the _inputs key, regardless of where they are in the configuration cascade.

This URL input is called associate_link.

The value of the type key determines the input type. This is a url input.

cloudcannon.config.json

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{
  "_inputs": {
    "associate_link": {
      "type": "url"
    }
  }
}

All inputs are defined under the _inputs key, regardless of where they are in the configuration cascade.

This URL input is called associate_link.

The value of the type key determines the input type. This is a url input.

When you add your input key name to a data or markup file, your configured URL input will appear in the Data Editor, Visual Editor, or Content Editor.

blog.md

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---
associate_link: http://example.com
---

Blog content goes here.

Input configuration options#

General configuration options are available for all input types. You can define the label, comment, and context box for your URL input, whether it is hidden or disabled, and how CloudCannon should handle configuration at multiple levels of the configuration cascade.

Specific configuration options for URL inputs include configuring how CloudCannon handles empty values and which URL input options are visible. You can also add input validation to require a value, specify the minimum and maximum value length, or match a regular expression.

Here is an example of a URL input using some of the most commonly used configuration keys.

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_inputs:
  external_link:
    type: url
    label: External Link
    comment: Enter a URL to link to an external resource
    options:
      required: true
      pattern: ^https?\:\/\/
      pattern_message: Please use a URL starting with https://
      empty_type:

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{
  "_inputs": {
    "external_link": {
      "type": "url",
      "label": "External Link",
      "comment": "Enter a URL to link to an external resource",
      "options": {
        "required": true,
        "pattern": "^https?\\:\\/\\/",
        "pattern_message": "Please use a URL starting with https://",
        "empty_type": null
      }
    }
  }
}

For a complete list of configuration keys available for inputs please read our inputs reference documentation.

These keys configure the appearance and functionality of URL inputs in CloudCannon.

_inputs.*.options.empty_type — string#

This key determines how CloudCannon handles an empty value. This key does not apply to existing empty values.

Value must be one of the following:

string - an empty value for this input will be stored as "".
null - an empty value for this input will be stored as a null value (default). This does not apply to TOML files.

_inputs.*.options.paths — Object#

This key enables you to define paths for your Rich Text editors, File, or URL Inputs. The following nested keys are available:

dam_static
dam_uploads
dam_uploads_filename
static
uploads
uploads_filename
uploads_use_relative_paths

This key has no default. If undefined at higher levels of the configuration cascade, paths will default to any values configured in the CloudCannon configuration file.

For more information, please read our documentation on adjusting the upload path.

_inputs.*.options.paths.dam_static — String#

This key enables you to define the path for the location of statically copied assets for DAM files.

_inputs.*.options.paths.dam_uploads — String#

This key enables you to define the path for the default location of newly uploaded DAM files.

You can use dynamic placeholders for uploads and dam_uploads. For more information, please read our documentation on adjusting file upload paths.

_inputs.*.options.paths.dam_uploads_filename — String#

This key enables you to define the name of a file, after uploading it to a DAM.

_inputs.*.options.paths.static — String#

This key enables you to define the path for the location of statically copied assets.

_inputs.*.options.paths.uploads — String#

This key enables you to define the path for the default location of newly uploaded files.

You can use dynamic placeholders for uploads and dam_uploads. For more information, please read our documentation on adjusting file upload paths.

_inputs.*.options.paths.uploads_filename — String#

This key enables you to define the name of a file, after uploading it.

_inputs.*.options.paths.uploads_use_relative_paths — Boolean#

This key enables you to use a file path relative to the current file when uploading through this input. File inputs in data files or front matter will also use relative file paths when selecting an existing file.

_inputs.*.options.allowed_sources — Array#

This key lists which DAMs you are allowed to upload to and browse. Valid values include site-files and the reference key for any DAM connected to your site.

If site-files is omitted from the array, site files will not be available as an asset source for this input.

_inputs.*.options.required — Boolean#

This key toggles whether CloudCannon requires this Input to have a value. If set to true, CloudCannon will require you to enter a value to save your changes, or discard your unsaved changes.

By default, this key is false (i.e, CloudCannon does not require this Input to have a value).

This key is available for Array, Code, Color, Date and Time, File, Number, Object, Select and Multiselect, Text, Rich Text, and URL Inputs.

Show exampleHide example

In this example, we want to require our team to enter an author value for markup files with this Input.

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_inputs:
  author:
    type: text
    comment: Enter the name of the author for this blog post.
    options:
      required: true

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{
  "_inputs": {
    "author": {
      "type": "text",
      "comment": "Enter the name of the author for this blog post.",
      "options": {
        "required": true
      }
    }
  }
}

_inputs.*.options.required_message — String#

This key defines a custom error message that explains why a value has failed the validation criteria from options.required. This key requires you to define options.required.

This key has no default.

This key is available for Array, Code, Color, Date and Time, File, Number, Object, Select and Multiselect, Text, Rich Text, and URL Inputs.

Show exampleHide example

In this example, we prompt our team to use enter an Input value using a required message.

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_inputs:
  author:
    type: text
    comment: Enter the name of the author for this blog post.
    options:
      required: true
      required_message: You are not allowed to leave this blank.

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{
  "_inputs": {
    "author": {
      "type": "text",
      "comment": "Enter the name of the author for this blog post.",
      "options": {
        "required": true,
        "required_message": "You are not allowed to leave this blank."
      }
    }
  }
}

_inputs.*.options.max_length — Number#

This key defines the maximum string length, in characters, that CloudCannon will allow in an Input. When configured, CloudCannon will warn you when an Input value is too long. If the Input already contains a longer value, CloudCannon will require you to remove characters until the Input contains a valid string to save your changes, or discard your unsaved changes.

Value can be any non-negative integer. If this key is set to 0, CloudCannon requires the Input to be empty. If options.min_length is also configured, this key cannot be a smaller number.

This key has no default.

This key is available for Code, Color, File, Select, Text, Rich Text, and URL Inputs. To use this key in a Select Input, allow_create must be set to true.

Show exampleHide example

In this example, we want our team to enter a blog description using the Rich Text seo_description Input. This Input limits you to a maximum of 125 characters.

cloudcannon.config.yaml

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_inputs:
  seo_description:
    type: markdown
    comment: Enter a brief description of this blog.
    options:
      max_length: 125
      min_length: 25

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{
  "_inputs": {
    "seo_description": {
      "type": "markdown",
      "comment": "Enter a brief description of this blog.",
      "options": {
        "max_length": 125,
        "min_length": 25
      }
    }
  }
}

_inputs.*.options.max_length_message — String#

This key defines a custom error message that explains why a value has failed the validation criteria from options.max_length. This key requires you to define options.max_length.

This key has no default.

This key is available for Code, Color, File, Select, Text, Rich Text, and URL Inputs.

Show exampleHide example

In this example, we prompt our team to enter a valid number of characters using a custom message.

cloudcannon.config.yaml

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_inputs:
  seo_description:
    type: markdown
    comment: Enter a brief description of this blog.
    options:
      max_length: 125
      max_length_message: You are only allowed 125 characters.
      min_length: 25
      min_length_message: Please write more than 25 characters.

cloudcannon.config.json

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{
  "_inputs": {
    "seo_description": {
      "type": "markdown",
      "comment": "Enter a brief description of this blog.",
      "options": {
        "max_length": 125,
        "max_length_message": "You are only allowed 125 characters.",
        "min_length": 25,
        "min_length_message": "Please write more than 25 characters."
      }
    }
  }
}

_inputs.*.options.min_length — Number#

This key defines the minimum string length, in characters, that CloudCannon will allow in an Input. When configured, CloudCannon will warn you when an Input value is too short. If the Input already contains a shorter value, CloudCannon will require you to add characters until the Input contains a valid string to save your changes, or discard your unsaved changes.

Value can be any positive integer. If options.max_length is also configured, this key cannot be a greater number.

This key has no default.

This key is available for Code, Color, File, Select, Text, Rich Text, and URL Inputs. To use this key in a Select Input, allow_create must be set to true.

Show exampleHide example

In this example, we want our team to enter a blog description using the Rich Text seo_description Input. This Input requires a minimum of 25 characters.

cloudcannon.config.yaml

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_inputs:
  seo_description:
    type: markdown
    comment: Enter a brief description of this blog.
    options:
      max_length: 125
      min_length: 25

cloudcannon.config.json

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{
  "_inputs": {
    "seo_description": {
      "type": "markdown",
      "comment": "Enter a brief description of this blog.",
      "options": {
        "max_length": 125,
        "min_length": 25
      }
    }
  }
}

_inputs.*.options.min_length_message — String#

This key defines a custom error message that explains why a value has failed the validation criteria from options.min_length. This key requires you to define options.min_length.

This key has no default.

This key is available for Code, Color, File, Select, Text, Rich Text, and URL Inputs.

Show exampleHide example

In this example, we prompt our team to enter a valid number of characters using a custom message.

cloudcannon.config.yaml

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_inputs:
  seo_description:
    type: markdown
    comment: Enter a brief description of this blog.
    options:
      max_length: 125
      max_length_message: You are only allowed 125 characters.
      min_length: 25
      min_length_message: Please write more than 25 characters.

cloudcannon.config.json

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{
  "_inputs": {
    "seo_description": {
      "type": "markdown",
      "comment": "Enter a brief description of this blog.",
      "options": {
        "max_length": 125,
        "max_length_message": "You are only allowed 125 characters.",
        "min_length": 25,
        "min_length_message": "Please write more than 25 characters."
      }
    }
  }
}

_inputs.*.options.pattern — String#

This key defines a regular expression that the Input value must match. When configured, CloudCannon will require you to enter a value that matches the REGEX pattern. If the Input already contains an invalid value, CloudCannon will require you to enter a valid string to save your changes, or discard your unsaved changes.

Value must be a valid REGEX string. If your REGEX string includes a \ character and CloudCannon Configuration File is a .yml file, use single quotes ' around the string to avoid a build error.

This key has no default.

This key is available for Code, Color, File, Select, Text, Rich Text, and URL Inputs. To use this key in a Select Input, allow_create must be set to true.

Show exampleHide example

In this example, we want our team to add an email address to the contact_email Input using the correct email format.

cloudcannon.config.yaml

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_inputs:
  contact_email:
    type: email
    options:
      pattern: '[a-zA-Z0-9._%+-]+@[a-zA-Z0-9.-]+\.[a-zA-Z]{2,}'
      pattern_message: Please use the format ___@___.__

cloudcannon.config.json

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{
  "_inputs": {
    "contact_email": {
      "type": "email",
      "options": {
        "pattern": "[a-zA-Z0-9._%+-]+@[a-zA-Z0-9.-]+\\.[a-zA-Z]{2,}",
        "pattern_message": "Please use the format ___@___.__"
      }
    }
  }
}

_inputs.*.options.pattern_message — String#

This key defines a custom error message that explains why a value has failed the validation criteria from options.pattern. This key requires you to define options.pattern.

This key has no default.

This key is available for Code, Color, File, Select, Text, Rich Text, and URL Inputs.

Show exampleHide example

In this example, we prompt our team to use the correct email format in the contact_email Input using a pattern message.

cloudcannon.config.yaml

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_inputs:
  contact_email:
    type: email
    options:
      pattern: '[a-zA-Z0-9._%+-]+@[a-zA-Z0-9.-]+\.[a-zA-Z]{2,}'
      pattern_message: Please use the format ___@___.__

cloudcannon.config.json

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{
  "_inputs": {
    "contact_email": {
      "type": "email",
      "options": {
        "pattern": "[a-zA-Z0-9._%+-]+@[a-zA-Z0-9.-]+\\.[a-zA-Z]{2,}",
        "pattern_message": "Please use the format ___@___.__"
      }
    }
  }
}

_inputs.*.options.disable_upload_file — Boolean#

This key toggles whether CloudCannon shows the "Upload a new file" option in the "Add URL" dropdown menu on a URL Input or "Add file" dropdown menu on a File Input. When set to true, the "Upload a new file" option is not available.

By default, this key is false (i.e., users can upload files).

Show exampleHide example

In this example, we have a logo Image input where users can only select existing images but cannot upload new ones.

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_inputs:
  logo:
    type: image
    label: Company Logo
    options:
      disable_upload_file: true

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{
  "_inputs": {
    "logo": {
      "type": "image",
      "label": "Company Logo",
      "options": {
        "disable_upload_file": true
      }
    }
  }
}

_inputs.*.options.disable_direct_input — Boolean#

This key toggles whether you can type in the text field of a File Input or URL Input. When set to true, you cannot manually type or paste values into the input text field.

By default, this key is false (i.e., users can type directly into the input field).

Show exampleHide example

In this example, we have a document File input where users must select files through the file browser and cannot manually type file paths.

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_inputs:
  document:
    type: document
    label: PDF Document
    options:
      disable_direct_input: true

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{
  "_inputs": {
    "document": {
      "type": "document",
      "label": "PDF Document",
      "options": {
        "disable_direct_input": true
      }
    }
  }
}

_inputs.*.options.disable_upload_file_in_file_browser — Boolean#

This key toggles whether the "Add" button in the top right of the File browser modal is available, after selecting the "Link to existing file" option in the "Add URL" dropdown menu on a URL Input or "Add file" dropdown menu on a File Input. When set to true, the "Link to existing file" option is not available.

By default, this key is false (i.e., users can upload files in the File browser modal).

Show exampleHide example

In this example, we have a background_image Image input where users can upload files using the "Upload a new file" option in the "Add URL" dropdown menu on a URL Input or "Add file" dropdown menu on a File Input, but not from within the File browser modal.

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_inputs:
  background_image:
    type: image
    label: Background Image
    options:
      disable_upload_file_in_file_browser: true

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{
  "_inputs": {
    "background_image": {
      "type": "image",
      "label": "Background Image",
      "options": {
        "disable_upload_file_in_file_browser": true
      }
    }
  }
}

_inputs.*.options.hide_link_to_file — Boolean#

This key toggles whether CloudCannon shows the "Link to an existing file" option in the "Add URL" dropdown menu on a URL Input. When set to true, the "Link to an existing file" option is not available.

By default, this key is false (i.e., file linking and upload options are visible).

Show exampleHide example

In this example, we have a document_url URL input where users can only enter URLs manually and cannot link to files or upload new files.

cloudcannon.config.yaml

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_inputs:
  document_url:
    type: url
    label: Document URL
    comment: Enter the URL to an external document
    options:
      hide_link_to_file: true

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{
  "_inputs": {
    "document_url": {
      "type": "url",
      "label": "Document URL",
      "comment": "Enter the URL to an external document",
      "options": {
        "hide_link_to_file": true
      }
    }
  }
}

_inputs.*.options.hide_link_to_page — boolean#

This key toggles whether the "Link to a page" option for this URL input is visible.

Setting this key to true will hide this option.

By default, this key is false (i.e., the option is visible).

_inputs.*.options.hide_link_to_email_address — boolean#

This key toggles whether the "Link to an email address" option for this URL input is visible.

Setting this key to true will hide this option.

By default, this key is false (i.e., the option is visible).

Valid values#

Here are some examples of valid values for the key url.

Empty/null value:

url:

Any valid string (quoted or unquoted):

url: ""
url: ''
url: example.com
url: "example.com"
url: 'example.com'
url: "https://example.com"

URLs containing : must be surrounded by quotes

Any valid string:

url = ""
url = ''
url = "example.com"
url = 'example.com'
url = "https://example.com"

Null value:

"url": null

Any valid string:

"url": ""
"url": "example.com"
"url": "https://example.com"

Unconfigured URL inputs#

In some cases, CloudCannon can still detect a URL input even if you have not configured it.

CloudCannon will interpret any unconfigured input with the key name url or link, or that ends in _url or _link, as a URL input.

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external_link: https://cloudcannon.com/

This behavior is convenient if you have simple inputs or do not want to configure inputs. It is also beneficial for new websites on CloudCannon where you have yet to create any CloudCannon-specific configuration.

We recommend configuring your inputs for greater control over their functionality and appearance.