This may be directed to Dave,

I think this may be a request for a new forum capability or a request for how to do this with existing forum tools.

I have a very long thread that I started many years ago (It can be fun to breed your own Zinnias), and (I am unsure if "Page" is the correct terminology here) as that Thread has grown, it has generated many new Pages.

On the current Page (94), I needed to refer to some material in a message I posted on Page 6. I wound up having to include an Internet-style address with my reference to that Post. I consider the insertion of that Internet-style address undesirable for several reasons.

In the past, I have been able to access a specific message using its Post #, and I am requesting the ability to embed a Post # in a message body, which would be functional if the reader clicked on it.

I will be glad to answer questions about this request if clarification is needed.

ZM

@dave

ZenMan said: I wound up having to include an Internet-style address with my reference to that Post. I consider the insertion of that Internet-style address undesirable for several reasons.

That's exactly how I always do it and it never seems to be a problem. What are those reasons it's undesirable?

Maybe ZenMan is just looking for a way to clean it up better?

This is how it currently looks:

I covered the zinnia green seed "secret sauce step" with green seeds way back on May 7, 2016, in Post #1140817 https://garden.org/thread/view..., which is here in this very same message string. I am sorry you missed it. Sad That was more than a few years ago.

If you use the [url] bbcodes around the address you added, it'll look like this:

I covered the zinnia green seed "secret sauce step" with green seeds way back on May 7, 2016, in Post #1140817, which is here in this very same message string. I am sorry you missed it. Sad That was more than a few years ago.

This is how it's done, if this is what you had in mind:
[ url=https://garden.org/thread/view_post/1140817/]Post #1140817,[ /url]
(remove the spaces before url and /url to get it to work)

ZM, aside from the technical stuff, I just wanted to add that you can't really refer to a page number because it depends on the "preferences" setting in your profile; page 100 to one person might be page 10 to another.

Hello Dave,

"That's exactly how I always do it and it never seems to be a problem. What are those reasons it's undesirable?"

A mistake in an Internet address could send the reader to someplace he or she did not want to be, while if simple text is misspelt, it is merely mildly amusing. A misspelled Internet address could have actual consequences, and some Browsers look out for dangerous sites. And just finding the Internet address requires a little extra effort, and opportunity for making a mistake. I was looking for a way to link back to my Post using just the Post number. If there is no way to do this without getting the Internet address, then that is fine.

There have been several interesting responses here, and I appreciate them and will study and learn to understand all of them. I am elderly, so some things that are easy for most people require some study from me. These messages have already taught me that "Page number" is not reliable or uniquely defined in these messages. Live and learn. I have some more learning to do.

Thank you for your attention and the prompt response you already gave. Happy Easter.

ZM

Hello Nancy,

" Maybe ZenMan is just looking for a way to clean it up better? "

Yes, my original message did look a bit fragmentary, and your suggestion is much appreciated. It's late, but I will address this again tomorrow, and definitely take your suggestion. Thank you.

ZM

Hello Sandy,

" I just wanted to add that you can't really refer to a page number because it depends on the "preferences" setting in your profile; "

Yes, that makes a lot sense. Good to know. Thank you.

ZM

A mistake in an Internet address could send the reader to someplace he or she did not want to be, while if simple text is misspelt, it is merely mildly amusing. A misspelled Internet address could have actual consequences, and some Browsers look out for dangerous sites.

It sounds like you are typing it out? Not doing a copy and paste?

Hi Sue,

I was typing it out, but I did switch to Copy and Paste. I fixed the message in question and now all the reader has to do is click on a Blue link. Which is what I was going for. I am going to study up on this URL stuff. Thanks for the Tip. Happy Easter.

ZM

As mentioned above, copy and paste is the foolproof way to make no errors and it works every time. Here's how I do it. Right click on the post # and select Copy link address. Then Ctrl-V to paste it into my post.

Hi Dave,

That right-clicking on the Post Number step is helpful.
Thanks so much for your help.
As usual, you guys are super-helpful.

ZM

But rather than Ctrl-V , why not keep the mouse in your hand and right click Paste?

Wow!

You guys are so smart!!! Thanx.
ZM