# How to set a linktitle for \_index.md pages?

**URL:** <https://discourse.gohugo.io/t/how-to-set-a-linktitle-for-index-md-pages/12158>\
**Category:** support\
**Created:** [May 26, 2018, 8:54pm UTC](https://discourse.gohugo.io/t/how-to-set-a-linktitle-for-index-md-pages/12158 "2018-05-26T20:54:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![eliza411](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.gohugo.io/eliza411/32/6056_2.png) [@eliza411](https://discourse.gohugo.io/u/eliza411)\
**Post date:** [May 26, 2018, 8:54pm UTC](https://discourse.gohugo.io/t/how-to-set-a-linktitle-for-index-md-pages/12158/1 "2018-05-26T20:54:21Z")

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I’m trying to set the `linktitle` on an `_index.md` page because its page title is too long to be reasonable in the menu. I’m using Docdock as the theme, and on “normal” pages, the site menu displays the value for `linktitle` when present. Otherwise it displays the value for `title`. On the `_index.md` page, however, the `title` displays even when the `linktitle` is set.

The [Hugo docs](https://gohugo.io/content-management/front-matter/#predefined) make it seem like `linktitle` will be used for automatically-generated links whenever it’s set in the Front Matter.

I’m realizing I’m not clear on where Hugo ends and the theme begins with respect to behaviors like this, and I’m wondering if others might know:

- Is it expected that an `_index.md` page would ignore the `linktitle` setting?
- Is it Hugo that ignores it? Or the theme?
- How might one achieve the goal of setting a `linktitle` for an `_index.md` page?

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**Author:** ![maiki](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.gohugo.io/maiki/32/16384_2.png) [@maiki](https://discourse.gohugo.io/u/maiki)\
**Post date:** [May 26, 2018, 9:07pm UTC](https://discourse.gohugo.io/t/how-to-set-a-linktitle-for-index-md-pages/12158/2 "2018-05-26T21:07:12Z")

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In this case, it may be the theme that is ignoring `linktitle`. The ranges in [https://github.com/vjeantet/hugo-theme-docdock/blob/master/layouts/partials/menu.html](https://github.com/vjeantet/hugo-theme-docdock/blob/master/layouts/partials/menu.html) seem intentional, so you might consider asking the theme author about them. 🙂

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**Author:** ![eliza411](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.gohugo.io/eliza411/32/6056_2.png) [@eliza411](https://discourse.gohugo.io/u/eliza411)\
**Post date:** [May 26, 2018, 9:51pm UTC](https://discourse.gohugo.io/t/how-to-set-a-linktitle-for-index-md-pages/12158/3 "2018-05-26T21:51:53Z")

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Thank you for the speedy reply. I appreciate confirmation that the theme is the place to be looking.

I’ve asked in [docdock’s Github issues](https://github.com/vjeantet/hugo-theme-docdock/issues/145) and am linking the issue for posterity’s sake in case it’s helpful to anyone else with this sort of question.