Using Velocity Script to Set URL (and leave out formatting)

[mkmarketo1]

Hello, 

I am trying to set a URL in velocity script based on lead data. I do not want to pass any CTA copy in the velocity, how can I set URLs without putting the URLs in a tags? We will be using these links in multiple places in the email, so simply want to pass the URL only, no other formatting. I have not been able to get this work. 

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EXAMPLE 1: 

#if($lead.Language=="English")#set($ctalink="test.com")



#elseif($lead.Language=="Spanish")#set($ctalink="test.com/spanish")



#elseif($lead.Language=="Japanese")#set($ctalink="test.com/japanese")

#end

##print

https://$ctalink

-NOTES: Tracking for links are broken in this example, tracking does not show up on lead record or report

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EXAMPLE 2: 

#if($lead.Language=="English")#set($ctalink="test.com")



#elseif($lead.Language=="Spanish")#set($ctalink="test.com/spanish")



#elseif($lead.Language=="Japanese")#set($ctalink="test.com/japanese")

#end

##print

$ctalink

-NOTES: Links break once the email is sent.

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How can I pass just the URL from velocity without breaking tracking?

[SanfordWhiteman]

As before, please edit your post to use the Syntax Highlighter so the code is readable.

Broadly, what you’re trying to do is impossible. You need to output full links from Velocity.

[mkmarketo1]

Thanks for the reply, so outputting the full link will enable tracking? I tried that and don't see on lead record or report.

#if($lead.Language=="English")#set($ctalink="https://test.com")

#elseif($lead.Language=="Spanish")#set($ctalink="https://test.com/spanish")

#elseif($lead.Language=="Japanese")#set($ctalink="https://test.com/japanese")

#end

##print

$ctalink

[SanfordWhiteman]

By “link” I mean the entire HTML <a> tag (this is in the “links” collection in HTML).

Not only the href.

As always, the full <a> through </a> need to be output via Velocity.