A thumbnail graphic is a smaller version of a graphic on a Web page, typically measuring 1 square inch. Use thumbnail graphics to decrease the time it takes visitors to download your Web site. They can then choose whether to download the full-size version.

You can make thumbnails from a wide variety of graphic types, including photographs, drawings, and clip art. A thumbnail typically serves as a preview. When clicked, it takes readers to a full-size version of the graphic.

Who Needs Thumbnails?

Thumbnail graphics serve many purposes, including:

• A graphic design firm can showcase the diversity of its artists' work through a "virtual art gallery" of thumbnail graphics.
• A real estate broker can show properties for sale as thumbnails.
• A family member can use thumbnails in an online photo gallery of a recent vacation.
• A hobbyist can use thumbnails as buttons that open pages that display different parts of a collection.

To create a thumbnail graphic

1. On your Web page, click the graphic you want to make a thumbnail for.
   Selection handles appear around the object.
2. Click Copy on the Edit menu.
3. Click Paste on the Edit menu.
   You now have two copies of the same graphic, one on top of the other.
4. Position the mouse pointer over one of the handles of the graphic on top until you see the Resize cursor.
5. Hold down the mouse button and drag the handle to resize the object until it is approximately 1 square inch.

Note  Graphics are not always perfectly square. You can resize the graphic until the longest edge (either height or width) is 1 inch in length.

To make a thumbnail a hyperlink

1. Click the full-size graphic.
2. Click Cut on the Edit menu.
3. Navigate to the page you want to place the full-size graphic on.
   If necessary, insert a new page.
4. Click Paste on the Edit menu.
5. Navigate to the page your thumbnail graphic is on.
6. Click the thumbnail graphic.
7. Click Hyperlink on the Insert menu.
8. Under Create a hyperlink to, click Another page in your Web site.
9. Under Hyperlink information, select the page that contains the large version of your thumbnail graphic.
10. Click OK.
11. Position the thumbnail graphic in the desired place on the Web page.
12. Add a text frame under the thumbnail graphic, and then type the size, in kilobytes, of the full-size picture that the thumbnail jumps to.

Thumbnail graphics make your Web site faster to download and more browseable, but they are only one tool among many for reducing your Web site's download time. Find out more about using graphics on the Web by reading Using Graphics on Your Publisher 2000 Web Site.