Do not assume Self-Publishing Software’s Text Editor matches the same functions as traditional word processors.
To bolster accessibility and to simplify and streamline the format and layout of publications, our web text editor provides a limited set of text and formatting tools.
To ensure foreign documents are converted or supplemented into the editor properly, users should accurately match the text from the foreign documents. Transferring the format or layout of foreign documents is of lesser importance, especially when the format or layout does not affect the substantive nature of the text. This is because the resulting publication will follow a different layout and format from the foreign documents. Therefore, place a stronger emphasis on matching the copy than the original format or layout.
Data added to this region is the only data queried by the search. Text content found in any PDF document added to the software is not searched.
Undo/Redo
To undo a recent action:
Select the icon pointing to the left to "Undo". The quick command is CTRL+Z.
To redo a recent action:
Select the icon pointing to the right to "Redo".
Bold, Italic, Underline, Strikethrough
To bold, italicize, underline, or strike through any text:
Highlight the text and select the desired tool, and the desired format will apply.
To keep the styling of the publication consistent, any styling in one section should be assumed to be found in other sections.
Because underlined text can insinuate a hyperlink online, it should be used with prudence.
Struck text is still searched, but is considered irrelevant or undesirable language and should also be used with prudence.
Alignment
To left, center, or right-align text:
Highlight the desired text and select the appropriate tool, and the desired format will apply.
Left align is recommended for ease of legibility.
Aligning copy within table cells is permitted, and the area where the alignment tools are frequently used.
Ordered List
An "ordered list" is an indented listing of text items with an ascending alphanumeric character to the left of each item. These alphanumeric characters (letters/numbers/roman numerals) establish each item's rank, hierarchy, or grouping within the list. These characters also double as sources, or a means to definitively reference each item on the list.
Ordered list types should be consistent throughout a publication.
To ensure each list item is dynamically updated when necessary, alphanumeric characters themselves should never be manually typed from the keyboard. If alphanumeric characters are typed manually instead of using the Ordered List tool, they cannot be indented all subsequent characters must be manually updated.
When the cursor is blinking within an existing ordered list (other than within the first listed item):
Typing the Tab key, or selecting the "Decrease Indent" tool creates a "child" list item of its "parent" list item. A character in the proper order will automatically appear.
Typing Shift+Tab, or selecting the "Increase Indent" tool will align the list item with its "parent" list item. A character in the proper order will automatically appear.
Bullet List
Unlike an ordered list, an "unordered" or "bullet" list establishes an indented listing of items with a bullet to the left of each item. A bullet list reveals a random list of items. It is not intended to establish a rank, hierarchy, or a means to definitively reference each item. "Parent" and "child" bullets are permitted with the use of the Tab key or the Indent tools.
Increase Indent/Decrease Indent
Primarily used for lists, the indent key should be used with prudence. Select the "Increase Indent" tool to create an indent. Select the "Decrease Indent" tool to remove the indent. If the "Increase Indent" tool is selected, all new subsequent copy will be indented. The Tab key will not create an indent, nor will the Shift+Tab key remove an indent from a paragraph.
Insert/Edit Link to Create a Hyperlink, or to Add a Document
To create or change a hyperlink of any selected text:
Select the "Insert/Edit Link" button and complete the necessary fields in the "Insert Link" modal. For a linked URL, include "HTTP…"
Select the "Insert/Edit Link" button to link a document to any selected text.
Select the browse folder icon to the right of the URL field and select the desired file. The added file will automatically be added to the framework by a direct web address. To link a document from an existing URL, input the web address and include the "HTTP…"
The "Text to display" field will reveal the name of the link and may be altered if desired.
The "Description" field is for ADA purposes, where links can be named with greater detail for greater clarity.
The "Target" options are as follows: "None" implies the link will be revealed within the active browser or tab, whereas "New window" implies the link will be revealed in a new window or tab (and will not take the place of the active browser/tab).
Select "Ok" to add the new link, which is underlined and purple.
Insert Image
To add an image to your language content:
Place the cursor where you would like the image to be added.
Select the "Insert/Edit Image" button, and complete the necessary fields in the "Insert/edit image" modal.
To add an image from your computer, select the browse folder icon to the right of the URL field, and select the graphic file. The added file will automatically be added to the framework via a direct web address.
To link an image from an existing URL, input the web address and include the “HTTP…"
The "Description" field is for ADA purposes, where images can be described with greater detail for greater clarity. The "Dimensions" field allows the user to adjust the width and/or height of an image, but it is automatically resized for mobile purposes.
The "Constrain Proportions" box, if selected, enables an image to be resized proportionately.
Select "Ok" to add the new image.
Note:
In Propose Mode, newly-added images reveal a green border and a "Plus" icon centered at the base. Deleted images reveal a red border and a "Minus" icon.
Subscripts/Superscripts
To add a subscript:
Place the blinking cursor in the desired location and select "Subscript." Preceding new text will be smaller, and placed atop the baseline.
Selecting the "Subscript" tool again will revert the copy to its original state, thus turning off the subscript styling. If the blinking cursor is placed among an existing set of words or numbers, the entire set will be subscripted.
To add a superscript:
Place the blinking cursor in the desired location and select "Superscript." Preceding new text will be smaller, and placed atop the cap height.
Selecting the "Superscript" tool again will revert the copy to its original state, thus turning off the superscript styling. If the blinking cursor is placed among an existing set of words or numbers, the entire set will be superscripted.
Tables
To add a table:
Place the blinking cursor in the desired location and select the "Table" icon. A flyout menu will appear allowing the selection of desired rows and columns.
Once selected, a table will appear where the cursor is blinking, and text may be added to the appropriate cells.
The "handles" or squares around the border of the table may be adjusted to ease the input of text while editing. Although tables can be stretched vertically by selecting these handles, their widths cannot be stretched. All tables will "snap" to the full width of the language content window after "Update" is selected.
To adjust individual cell heights/widths, select the dividing lines and move them manually. Use with discretion, always remembering that tables should match the standard table appearances throughout the publication(s).
Additional table settings, such as deleting tables, adding/deleting columns/rows, merging cells, splitting cells, and similar, are available. These may be found by selecting other options in the Table dropdown.
Note:
In Propose Mode, amend text within tables by changing the text itself wherever possible. Redlining of tabular data in propose mode is presently being refined.
Clear Formatting
Although this option removes foreign font styling from pasted copy, it does not remove all rich text markup from the HTML code. Use this option with discretion, knowing that "Plain-text pastes", or CTRL+SHIFT+V (for PC) or COMMAND+SHIFT+V (for Mac) will always create superior pasting results.
Source Code
Use with discretion-only those experienced with HTML should adjust and save HTML markup.
To view or edit the Source Code which permits users to view and change the HTML markup in a separate modal:
Select the Source Code (< >) button and the modal dialog will appear.
All edits can be entered
Select "Ok" to save the edits
Note:
In Propose Mode, use this feature as a reference only. Avoid editing and saving the markup as such is likely to affect the redlines and user input tracking.
Video Example
Note:
This video was last updated on April 12, 2019, and may not reflect new enhancements or system changes after that date.