When Not to Paste Images into Community Content

Also searched as: image upload rules, attaching vs. embedding images, why pasted pictures don't show up

Overview

When you want to add image files to your e-blasts, Newsfeed posts, and website content, always attach or embed these images rather than paste them in directly.

Below is why this matters, and how to add images the right way in each content area.

E-blasts

(also called: member email blasts, mass emails, Message Filtered Members)

You can send an e-blast at Membership > Members > Message Filtered Members by activating the second toggle switch. This lets you reach everyone in your community whose e-mail address and Member Details you've added (through Member import, manual data entry, or Member registration on your public website).

Why not to paste: If you paste an image into the message body from Preview, Paint, Photoshop, or another image-editing program, you'll see the image before sending — but with rare exceptions, recipients will not see the image at all.

Method 1: Attach the image file(s)

This is the easiest way.

1. Below the message compose window, find the "Upload photos or documents" controls.
2. Click "Browse" and navigate to a file on your computer or device.
3. Attach the file to the message. This method also lets you attach file types you couldn't paste in directly, such as spreadsheets, word processing documents, and PDF files.

Note: The total of all file attachments and embedded images must be less than 15 MB, or the message will not send.

Method 2: Embed the image file(s) in the message

This creates an inline image that's part of the message itself, not an attachment.

1. Add your graphic file to the Document Repository at Features > Documents. Both the file and its folder must be set visible to the public.
2. Once uploaded, in the Actions column click the "Copy File Link" icon. The link to your file is copied to your clipboard (you won't see a visible confirmation).
3. Go to Membership > Members > Message Filtered Members to create your e-blast.
4. Click within the message window where you want the graphic to appear.
5. In the toolbar above the message-editing window, click the Image tool.
6. Paste the link to your graphic into the URL box in the "Image Properties" window.
7. Set the width, height, and other properties as needed.
8. Click "OK" to save your image-embedding changes.
9. Finish composing your e-blast and send it.

Note: The total of all embedded and attached images must be less than 15 MB, or the message will not send.

Newsfeed Posts

(also called: community newsfeed, website news posts)

Pasting an image into a Newsfeed post may look faster, but for two reasons it's not:

• It slows down the responsiveness of your entire website.
• Pasted-in images do not show up in your Newsfeed posts at all.

Instead, either attach or embed them, as described below.

Method 1: Attach the image file(s)

This is the easiest way.

1. Go to Manage Site > Public Site and navigate to your Newsfeed page.
2. Click the "+ Create" button at the bottom of the window to create a new post. To edit an existing post, click the three-dots menu at the top right of the post and choose "Edit."
3. Below the compose window, find the "Upload photos or documents" controls. Click "Browse" and navigate to a file on your computer or device. Attach the file.

Note: Your image must be less than 15 MB, or you won't be able to attach it.

Method 2: Embed the image file(s) in the post

1. Add your graphic file to the Document Repository at Features > Documents. Both the file and its folder must be set visible to the public, and the file must be smaller than 15 MB.
2. Once uploaded, in the Actions column click the "Copy File Link" icon to copy the link to your clipboard.
3. Go to Manage Site > Public Site and navigate to your Newsfeed page.
4. Click "+ Create" for a new post, or the three-dots menu > "Edit" on an existing one.
5. Click within the post window where you want the graphic to appear.
6. In the toolbar above the post-editing window, click the Image tool.
7. Paste the link to your graphic into the URL box in the "Image Properties" window.
8. Set the width, height, and other properties as needed.
9. Click "OK" to save.
10. Finish creating or editing your Newsfeed post and click the "Post" button.

Text-Based Website Content Widgets

(also called: site setup page content, text widgets, page paragraph/contact info blocks)

You can technically paste a graphic into a text-based website page content widget — you may even see it while editing in Site Setup — but it will not show up on your public site.

Embed the image file(s) instead:

1. Add your graphic file to the Document Repository at Features > Documents. Both the file and its folder must be set visible to the public, and the file must be less than 15 MB (or you won't be able to upload it).
2. Once uploaded, in the Actions column click the "Copy File Link" icon to copy the link to your clipboard.
3. Go to Manage Site > Site Setup to add your image to a website page.
4. In the vertical Site Setup menu at the left, locate the page you want to edit and click its name to load it.
5. Place your cursor over the text-based widget you want to add the graphic to. The editing control sheet appears. Click "Edit Paragraph" or "Edit Contact Info" to bring up the editing window.
6. Click within the content window where you want the graphic to appear.
7. In the toolbar above the content-editing window, click the Image tool.
8. Paste the link to your graphic into the URL box in the "Image Properties" window.
9. Set the width, height, and other properties as needed.
10. Click "OK" to save your changes.
11. Click "Save and Publish" at the top right of the window to make your changes visible on your public site.