# Alerts

In the *Referrals* application, it is possible to post a message, also referred to as an *alert*, at
the top of the dashboard to share important information with users.

Alerts remain on the main *Referrals* dashboard for the specified amount of time configured on the
individual alert.

```{image} alerts/alerts.png
:align: center
:alt: Two alert banners appear above the user's photo.
```

## Create an alert

Only users with *Administrator* access rights for the *Recruitment* application can create alerts.
To add a new alert, navigate to the {menuselection}`Referrals app --> Configuration --> Alerts`.

Click {guilabel}`New` to open a blank alert form. Enter the following information on the form:

- {guilabel}`Date From`: the date the alert starts. On this date, the alert is visible on the
  dashboard.

- {guilabel}`Date To`: the date the alert ends. After this date, the alert is hidden from view.

- {guilabel}`Company`: the current company populates this field, by default. To modify the company
  the alert should be displayed for, select the desired company from the drop-down menu in this
  field.

  If this field remains blank, the alert is visible to everyone with access to the *Referrals*
  application.

  If a company is specified, only users within that company (who also have access to the *Referrals*
  application) see the alert. This field **only** appears when in a multi-company database.

- {guilabel}`Alert`: enter the text for the alert. This message appears inside the alert banner on
  the main *Referrals* dashboard.

- {guilabel}`On Click`: there are three options for the alert. Click the radio button next to the
  desired selection. The options are:

  - {guilabel}`Not Clickable`: the alert only displays text, there is no link to click.
  - {guilabel}`Go to All Jobs`: the alert contains a link that, when clicked, navigates to the
    website with all the job positions that are currently posted.
  - {guilabel}`Specify URL`: the alert contains a link to a specific URL that, when clicked,
    navigates to that URL. When selected, a {guilabel}`URL` field appears below the {guilabel}`On
    Click` section. Enter the desired URL in that field.

```{image} alerts/alert-form.png
:align: center
:alt: An alert form completely filled in with all selections entered.
```

## Dismiss an alert

It is possible to dismiss an alert, if a user does not wish to see a specific alert again.

To dismiss an alert, click the {icon}`fa-times` {guilabel}`(remove)` icon on the far-right side of
the alert to remove the alert from the dashboard.

This prevents the alert from appearing again, even when opening the *Referrals* application for the
first time in a new session.