Links and media · Lesson 7 of 8 · 7 minutes

Links and media: Downloadable resources

The download attribute suggests downloading a same-origin resource; meaningful text still identifies the file.

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Your objectives

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1
Build downloadable resources
Build this first target: <a> (href="/notes.txt") containing “Workshop notes”. Inspect the structure before checking the lesson.
Hint & worked example
The download attribute suggests downloading a same-origin resource; meaningful text still identifies the file.
The requested elements, attributes, content, and hierarchy exist outside comments.
```
<a href="/notes.txt">Workshop notes</a>
```
Common mistake to avoid: A visual appearance alone guarantees the intended HTML meaning.
2
Extend the downloadable resources example
Extend your file to include: <a> (href="/notes.txt", download) containing “Download workshop notes”. Inspect the structure before checking the lesson.
Hint & worked example
The download attribute suggests downloading a same-origin resource; meaningful text still identifies the file.
The requested elements, attributes, content, and hierarchy exist outside comments.
```
<a href="/notes.txt" download>Download workshop notes</a>
```
Common mistake to avoid: Replacing semantic elements with generic divs automatically improves accessibility.
3
Verify the complete downloadable resources pattern
Finish the pattern with: <a> (href="/notes.txt", download="workshop-notes.txt") containing “Download workshop notes”; <p> containing “Plain text for offline reading.”. Inspect the structure before checking the lesson.
Hint & worked example
The download attribute suggests downloading a same-origin resource; meaningful text still identifies the file.
The requested elements, attributes, content, and hierarchy exist outside comments.
```
<a href="/notes.txt" download="workshop-notes.txt">Download workshop notes</a>
<p>Plain text for offline reading.</p>
```
Common mistake to avoid: A visual appearance alone guarantees the intended HTML meaning.

Understand the pattern

The download attribute suggests downloading a same-origin resource; meaningful text still identifies the file.

Misconceptions to reject

A visual appearance alone guarantees the intended HTML meaning.
Replacing semantic elements with generic divs automatically improves accessibility.

The preview is a sanitized subset, not a full browser compatibility test.

Worked example and expected result

<a href="/notes.txt" download="workshop-notes.txt">Download workshop notes</a>
<p>Plain text for offline reading.</p>

The download attribute suggests downloading a same-origin resource; meaningful text still identifies the file.

Try a variation

Adapt the final example to a different project name while retaining its structure and relationships. A different context still needs a real browser and accessibility check.

Explain it

Which statement correctly explains downloadable resources?Replacing semantic elements with generic divs automatically improves accessibility.The download attribute suggests downloading a same-origin resource; meaningful text still identifies the file.A visual appearance alone guarantees the intended HTML meaning.

Apply it elsewhere

You reuse downloadable resources in a different project. What must still be verified?The meaning, relationships, and accessible names in the new document.Nothing; passing a single exercise guarantees every future use.Only whether the source code has the same number of lines.

Keep the momentum.

Complete the lab, then explain and apply the pattern.

Next: Links and media: Media fallback copy Try an incident drill

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MDN: HTML structure