diff --git a/d2compiler/compile.go b/d2compiler/compile.go
index 9afa11e6c..50ad03f54 100644
--- a/d2compiler/compile.go
+++ b/d2compiler/compile.go
@@ -327,8 +327,6 @@ func (c *compiler) compileReserved(attrs *d2graph.Attributes, f *d2ir.Field) {
 		attrs.Link = &d2graph.Scalar{}
 		attrs.Link.Value = scalar.ScalarString()
 		attrs.Link.MapKey = f.LastPrimaryKey()
-		// TODO I think all the attributes need the range actually
-		attrs.Link.MapKey.Range = scalar.GetRange()
 	case "direction":
 		dirs := []string{"up", "down", "right", "left"}
 		if !go2.Contains(dirs, scalar.ScalarString()) {
@@ -729,7 +727,6 @@ func (c *compiler) validateBoardLinks(g *d2graph.Graph) {
 		}
 
 		linkKey, err := d2parser.ParseKey(obj.Attributes.Link.Value)
-		// Links can be urls
 		if err != nil {
 			continue
 		}
@@ -743,7 +740,7 @@ func (c *compiler) validateBoardLinks(g *d2graph.Graph) {
 			root = root.Parent
 		}
 		if !hasBoard(root, linkKey.IDA()) {
-			c.errorf(obj.Attributes.Link.MapKey, "link key to board not found")
+			c.errorf(obj.Attributes.Link.MapKey, "linked board not found")
 			continue
 		}
 	}
@@ -756,6 +753,7 @@ func hasBoard(root *d2graph.Graph, ida []string) bool {
 	for i := 0; i < len(ida); i += 2 {
 		id := ida[i]
 		if id == "root" {
+			i--
 			continue
 		}
 		if i == len(ida)-1 {
@@ -765,19 +763,19 @@ func hasBoard(root *d2graph.Graph, ida []string) bool {
 		if id == "layers" {
 			for _, b := range root.Layers {
 				if b.Name == nextID {
-					return hasBoard(b, ida[i:])
+					return hasBoard(b, ida[i+1:])
 				}
 			}
 		} else if id == "scenarios" {
 			for _, b := range root.Scenarios {
 				if b.Name == nextID {
-					return hasBoard(b, ida[i:])
+					return hasBoard(b, ida[i+1:])
 				}
 			}
 		} else if id == "steps" {
 			for _, b := range root.Steps {
 				if b.Name == nextID {
-					return hasBoard(b, ida[i:])
+					return hasBoard(b, ida[i+1:])
 				}
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/d2compiler/compile_test.go b/d2compiler/compile_test.go
index 8a6f66cd1..4c08bd92f 100644
--- a/d2compiler/compile_test.go
+++ b/d2compiler/compile_test.go
@@ -2063,7 +2063,7 @@ scenarios: {
 			name: "link-board-not-found",
 			text: `x.link: layers.x
 `,
-			expErr: `d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-found.d2:1:9: link key "layers.x" to board not found`,
+			expErr: `d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-found.d2:1:1: linked board not found`,
 		},
 		{
 			name: "link-board-not-board",
@@ -2074,7 +2074,7 @@ layers: {
     y
   }
 }`,
-			expErr: `d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-board.d2:2:9: link key "layers.x.y" to board not found`,
+			expErr: `d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-board.d2:2:1: linked board not found`,
 		},
 		{
 			name: "link-board-nested",
@@ -2139,7 +2139,7 @@ layers: {
     }
   }
 }`,
-			expErr: `d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore-not-found.d2:7:5: board referenced by link not found`,
+			expErr: `d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore-not-found.d2:7:5: linked board not found`,
 		},
 	}
 
diff --git a/d2graph/d2graph.go b/d2graph/d2graph.go
index eb1701585..782cd831e 100644
--- a/d2graph/d2graph.go
+++ b/d2graph/d2graph.go
@@ -56,28 +56,6 @@ func NewGraph() *Graph {
 	return d
 }
 
-func (g *Graph) AbsID() string {
-	if g.Parent == nil {
-		return g.Name
-	}
-	for _, l := range g.Parent.Layers {
-		if l.Name == g.Name {
-			return g.Parent.AbsID() + ".layers." + g.Name
-		}
-	}
-	for _, s := range g.Parent.Scenarios {
-		if s.Name == g.Name {
-			return g.Parent.AbsID() + ".scenarios." + g.Name
-		}
-	}
-	for _, s := range g.Parent.Steps {
-		if s.Name == g.Name {
-			return g.Parent.AbsID() + ".steps." + g.Name
-		}
-	}
-	return ""
-}
-
 // TODO consider having different Scalar types
 // Right now we'll hold any types in Value and just convert, e.g. floats
 type Scalar struct {
diff --git a/d2ir/compile.go b/d2ir/compile.go
index f6e654612..b6035cb46 100644
--- a/d2ir/compile.go
+++ b/d2ir/compile.go
@@ -131,31 +131,7 @@ func (c *compiler) compileField(dst *Map, kp *d2ast.KeyPath, refctx *RefContext)
 	} else if refctx.Key.Value.ScalarBox().Unbox() != nil {
 		// If these are boards, we transform into absolute paths
 		if f.Name == "link" {
-			link, err := d2parser.ParseKey(refctx.Key.Value.ScalarBox().Unbox().ScalarString())
-			if err == nil {
-				scopeID, _ := d2parser.ParseKey(refctx.ScopeMap.AbsID())
-				scopeIDA := scopeID.IDA()
-				for i := len(scopeIDA) - 1; i > 0; i-- {
-					if scopeIDA[i-1] == "layers" || scopeIDA[i-1] == "scenarios" || scopeIDA[i-1] == "steps" || scopeIDA[i-1] == "root" {
-						scopeIDA = scopeIDA[:i+1]
-						break
-					}
-				}
-				linkIDA := link.IDA()
-				if len(linkIDA) > 0 {
-					for len(linkIDA) > 0 && linkIDA[0] == "_" {
-						if len(scopeIDA) <= 2 {
-							c.errorf(refctx.Key.Key, "board referenced by link not found")
-							return
-						}
-						// pop 2 off path per one underscore
-						scopeIDA = scopeIDA[:len(scopeIDA)-2]
-						linkIDA = linkIDA[1:]
-					}
-					scopeIDA = append(scopeIDA, linkIDA...)
-					refctx.Key.Value = d2ast.MakeValueBox(d2ast.RawString(strings.Join(scopeIDA, "."), true))
-				}
-			}
+			c.compileLink(refctx)
 		}
 		f.Primary_ = &Scalar{
 			parent: f,
@@ -164,6 +140,61 @@ func (c *compiler) compileField(dst *Map, kp *d2ast.KeyPath, refctx *RefContext)
 	}
 }
 
+func (c *compiler) compileLink(refctx *RefContext) {
+	val := refctx.Key.Value.ScalarBox().Unbox().ScalarString()
+	link, err := d2parser.ParseKey(val)
+	if err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+
+	scopeID, _ := d2parser.ParseKey(refctx.ScopeMap.AbsID())
+	scopeIDA := scopeID.IDA()
+
+	if len(scopeIDA) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+
+	linkIDA := link.IDA()
+	if len(linkIDA) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+
+	// If it doesn't start with one of these reserved words, the link may be a URL or local path or something
+	if linkIDA[0] != "layers" && linkIDA[0] != "scenarios" && linkIDA[0] != "steps" && linkIDA[0] != "_" {
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Chop off the non-board portion of the scope, like if this is being defined on a nested object (e.g. `x.y.z`)
+	for i := len(scopeIDA) - 1; i > 0; i-- {
+		if scopeIDA[i-1] == "layers" || scopeIDA[i-1] == "scenarios" || scopeIDA[i-1] == "steps" {
+			scopeIDA = scopeIDA[:i+1]
+			break
+		}
+		if scopeIDA[i-1] == "root" {
+			scopeIDA = scopeIDA[:i]
+			break
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Resolve underscores
+	for len(linkIDA) > 0 && linkIDA[0] == "_" {
+		if len(scopeIDA) < 2 {
+			c.errorf(refctx.Key.Key, "linked board not found")
+			return
+		}
+		// pop 2 off path per one underscore
+		scopeIDA = scopeIDA[:len(scopeIDA)-2]
+		linkIDA = linkIDA[1:]
+	}
+	if len(scopeIDA) == 0 {
+		scopeIDA = []string{"root"}
+	}
+
+	// Create the absolute path by appending scope path with value specified
+	scopeIDA = append(scopeIDA, linkIDA...)
+	refctx.Key.Value = d2ast.MakeValueBox(d2ast.RawString(strings.Join(scopeIDA, "."), true))
+}
+
 func (c *compiler) compileEdges(refctx *RefContext) {
 	if refctx.Key.Key != nil {
 		f, err := refctx.ScopeMap.EnsureField(refctx.Key.Key, refctx)
diff --git a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-key-nested.exp.json b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-key-nested.exp.json
index a31d63b38..9095c2773 100644
--- a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-key-nested.exp.json
+++ b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-key-nested.exp.json
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
                 "nodes": [
                   {
                     "map_key": {
-                      "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+                      "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-key-nested.d2,1:2:7-1:18:23",
                       "key": {
                         "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-key-nested.d2,1:2:7-1:8:13",
                         "path": [
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@
                           "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
                           "value": [
                             {
-                              "string": "root.x.layers.x"
+                              "string": "root.layers.x"
                             }
                           ]
                         }
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@
           },
           "style": {},
           "link": {
-            "value": "root.x.layers.x"
+            "value": "root.layers.x"
           },
           "near_key": null,
           "shape": {
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@
                     "nodes": [
                       {
                         "map_key": {
-                          "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+                          "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-key-nested.d2,1:2:7-1:18:23",
                           "key": {
                             "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-key-nested.d2,1:2:7-1:8:13",
                             "path": [
@@ -363,7 +363,7 @@
                               "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
                               "value": [
                                 {
-                                  "string": "root.x.layers.x"
+                                  "string": "root.layers.x"
                                 }
                               ]
                             }
diff --git a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-mixed.exp.json b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-mixed.exp.json
index ef65c9ac2..ac393f695 100644
--- a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-mixed.exp.json
+++ b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-mixed.exp.json
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
         },
         {
           "map_key": {
-            "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+            "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-mixed.d2,1:0:31-1:25:56",
             "key": {
               "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-mixed.d2,1:0:31-1:13:44",
               "path": [
@@ -461,7 +461,7 @@
             },
             {
               "map_key": {
-                "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+                "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-mixed.d2,1:0:31-1:25:56",
                 "key": {
                   "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-mixed.d2,1:0:31-1:13:44",
                   "path": [
@@ -932,7 +932,7 @@
             },
             {
               "map_key": {
-                "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+                "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-mixed.d2,1:0:31-1:25:56",
                 "key": {
                   "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-mixed.d2,1:0:31-1:13:44",
                   "path": [
diff --git a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-nested.exp.json b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-nested.exp.json
index 5f2926494..40561e63c 100644
--- a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-nested.exp.json
+++ b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-nested.exp.json
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
       "nodes": [
         {
           "map_key": {
-            "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+            "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-nested.d2,0:0:0-0:25:25",
             "key": {
               "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-nested.d2,0:0:0-0:6:6",
               "path": [
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@
           "nodes": [
             {
               "map_key": {
-                "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+                "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-nested.d2,0:0:0-0:25:25",
                 "key": {
                   "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-nested.d2,0:0:0-0:6:6",
                   "path": [
@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@
               "nodes": [
                 {
                   "map_key": {
-                    "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+                    "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-nested.d2,0:0:0-0:25:25",
                     "key": {
                       "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-nested.d2,0:0:0-0:6:6",
                       "path": [
diff --git a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-board.exp.json b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-board.exp.json
index e37e9b481..d8f1db764 100644
--- a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-board.exp.json
+++ b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-board.exp.json
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@
     "ioerr": null,
     "errs": [
       {
-        "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-board.d2,1:8:12-1:18:22",
-        "errmsg": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-board.d2:2:9: link key \"layers.x.y\" to board not found"
+        "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-board.d2,1:0:4-1:18:22",
+        "errmsg": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-board.d2:2:1: linked board not found"
       }
     ]
   }
diff --git a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-found.exp.json b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-found.exp.json
index 8c8509b5d..29ff2fdde 100644
--- a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-found.exp.json
+++ b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-found.exp.json
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@
     "ioerr": null,
     "errs": [
       {
-        "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-found.d2,0:8:8-0:16:16",
-        "errmsg": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-found.d2:1:9: link key \"layers.x\" to board not found"
+        "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-found.d2,0:0:0-0:16:16",
+        "errmsg": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-not-found.d2:1:1: linked board not found"
       }
     ]
   }
diff --git a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-ok.exp.json b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-ok.exp.json
index c704c8a7c..61cf43cd7 100644
--- a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-ok.exp.json
+++ b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-ok.exp.json
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
       "nodes": [
         {
           "map_key": {
-            "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+            "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-ok.d2,0:0:0-0:16:16",
             "key": {
               "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-ok.d2,0:0:0-0:6:6",
               "path": [
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@
           "nodes": [
             {
               "map_key": {
-                "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+                "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-ok.d2,0:0:0-0:16:16",
                 "key": {
                   "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-ok.d2,0:0:0-0:6:6",
                   "path": [
diff --git a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore-not-found.exp.json b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore-not-found.exp.json
index 040712eda..b1ef0359c 100644
--- a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore-not-found.exp.json
+++ b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore-not-found.exp.json
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
     "errs": [
       {
         "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore-not-found.d2,6:4:50-6:14:60",
-        "errmsg": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore-not-found.d2:7:5: board referenced by link not found"
+        "errmsg": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore-not-found.d2:7:5: linked board not found"
       }
     ]
   }
diff --git a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore.exp.json b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore.exp.json
index fa2ef2725..7f12b70d7 100644
--- a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore.exp.json
+++ b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore.exp.json
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@
                                               "nodes": [
                                                 {
                                                   "map_key": {
-                                                    "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+                                                    "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore.d2,6:4:50-6:28:74",
                                                     "key": {
                                                       "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore.d2,6:4:50-6:14:60",
                                                       "path": [
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@
                                                 },
                                                 {
                                                   "map_key": {
-                                                    "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+                                                    "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore.d2,7:4:79-7:15:90",
                                                     "key": {
                                                       "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore.d2,7:4:79-7:12:87",
                                                       "path": [
@@ -481,7 +481,7 @@
                                                   "nodes": [
                                                     {
                                                       "map_key": {
-                                                        "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+                                                        "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore.d2,6:4:50-6:28:74",
                                                         "key": {
                                                           "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore.d2,6:4:50-6:14:60",
                                                           "path": [
@@ -524,7 +524,7 @@
                                                     },
                                                     {
                                                       "map_key": {
-                                                        "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+                                                        "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore.d2,7:4:79-7:15:90",
                                                         "key": {
                                                           "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore.d2,7:4:79-7:12:87",
                                                           "path": [
@@ -813,7 +813,7 @@
                                                       "nodes": [
                                                         {
                                                           "map_key": {
-                                                            "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+                                                            "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore.d2,6:4:50-6:28:74",
                                                             "key": {
                                                               "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore.d2,6:4:50-6:14:60",
                                                               "path": [
@@ -856,7 +856,7 @@
                                                         },
                                                         {
                                                           "map_key": {
-                                                            "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+                                                            "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore.d2,7:4:79-7:15:90",
                                                             "key": {
                                                               "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/link-board-underscore.d2,7:4:79-7:12:87",
                                                               "path": [
diff --git a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/path_link.exp.json b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/path_link.exp.json
index 69eba972b..9c08d24ad 100644
--- a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/path_link.exp.json
+++ b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/path_link.exp.json
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
                 "nodes": [
                   {
                     "map_key": {
-                      "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+                      "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/path_link.d2,1:2:7-1:39:44",
                       "key": {
                         "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/path_link.d2,1:2:7-1:6:11",
                         "path": [
@@ -50,11 +50,12 @@
                       },
                       "primary": {},
                       "value": {
-                        "double_quoted_string": {
-                          "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+                        "unquoted_string": {
+                          "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/path_link.d2,1:8:13-1:39:44",
                           "value": [
                             {
-                              "string": "root.x.Overview.Untitled board 7.zzzzz"
+                              "string": "Overview.Untitled board 7.zzzzz",
+                              "raw_string": "Overview.Untitled board 7.zzzzz"
                             }
                           ]
                         }
@@ -130,7 +131,7 @@
           },
           "style": {},
           "link": {
-            "value": "root.x.Overview.Untitled board 7.zzzzz"
+            "value": "Overview.Untitled board 7.zzzzz"
           },
           "near_key": null,
           "shape": {
diff --git a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/url_link.exp.json b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/url_link.exp.json
index 2f056a514..f800be68e 100644
--- a/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/url_link.exp.json
+++ b/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/url_link.exp.json
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
                 "nodes": [
                   {
                     "map_key": {
-                      "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+                      "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/url_link.d2,1:2:7-1:26:31",
                       "key": {
                         "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/url_link.d2,1:2:7-1:6:11",
                         "path": [
@@ -50,11 +50,12 @@
                       },
                       "primary": {},
                       "value": {
-                        "double_quoted_string": {
-                          "range": ",0:0:0-0:0:0",
+                        "unquoted_string": {
+                          "range": "d2/testdata/d2compiler/TestCompile/url_link.d2,1:8:13-1:26:31",
                           "value": [
                             {
-                              "string": "root.x.https"
+                              "string": "https://google.com",
+                              "raw_string": "https://google.com"
                             }
                           ]
                         }
@@ -130,7 +131,7 @@
           },
           "style": {},
           "link": {
-            "value": "root.x.https"
+            "value": "https://google.com"
           },
           "near_key": null,
           "shape": {