---
title: "DITA: Cross references"
date: 2014-12-27
description: "{% include notes.html %} Referring to specific steps To refer to a specific step, do the following: Add an ID..."
canonical_url: https://idratherbewriting.com/cross_references/index.html
---

> For AI agents: a documentation index is available at https://idratherbewriting.com/llms.txt. Markdown versions of all pages are available by appending .md to any page URL.

# DITA: Cross references

> You create cross references by pointing to the ID of a particular element that you want to link to.

## Referring to specific steps

To refer to a specific step, do the following:

1. Add an ID tag on the step:

   ```xml
   <task id="task_lxj_zps_44">
   
   ...
   
   <step id="deploy">
   ```
2. Reference the ID through an `xref` element and include `type="li"`.

   ```xml
   Now perform the same routine as you did in <xref href="#task_lxj_zps_44/deploy" type="li"/>.
   ```

   > **Note:**The type is `li`, not `step`.

## Referring to a specific section

To refer to a specific section with a cross reference, in your regular content, add an ID attribute on the element like this:

```xml
<section id="date_selection"><title>Date Selection</title>
```

Then refer to it like this:

```xml
<p> Select the date range you want. See the previous section, <xref href="yourditatopic.dita#thetopicid/date_selection" type="section"/>, for
 details about the options.</p>
```

[Sample topic - cross-references](http://www.oxygenxml.com/dita/styleguide/webhelp-feedback/Artefact/Cross_Referencing/c_Cross-references_Sample_Topic.html#concept_sample_xref__section_Typical_Sample)