While most functions of the new Content Designer are easy to figure out, there are some differences between it and the previous editing system.
The differences in the new Content Designer are apparent when content is open for editing.
Applying Styles:
Old: Previously, to apply a style, the cursor merely had to be inserted anywhere within the paragraph.
New: To format a paragraph in Content Designer, using any of the styles in the Apply Styles dropdown menu (such as Introduction), you must highlight the entire paragraph, including ending punctuation and any spaces at end of paragraph (see Apply Style Dropdown Menu image below).
To remove all styles associated with a paragraph, choose Clear Style. This works with the cursor placed anywhere within the paragraph.
Pressing Enter to create a new paragraph results in the previous paragraph’s style being applied to the next paragraph, too (when typing and formatting as you go). Choosing Clear Style after the paragraph break will clear the style.
Apply Style Dropdown Menu
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Other Notes
- The Select All icon will select all of the content (see Toolbar image below).
- Using Spellcheck is recommended before submitting new content (see Toolbar image below).
- The Format Stripper will remove all formatting for a paragraph (see Apply Style Dropdown Menu image above). The cursor can be placed anywhere within a paragraph to function.
- You’ll find that the dropdown Insert Symbol chart is much easier to navigate (see Toolbar image below).
- Copying and Cutting: Although the toolbar and right-click menu options exists to copy and cut text, choosing one of these options results in a notice that CTRL+C or CTRL+X must be used instead. Only the keyboard shortcuts can be used for these operations.
Content Designer Toolbar
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Links
Old: Previously, selecting the Library (quicklink) icon would open a window that is separate from the workarea window.
New: Selecting the Library icon (Import Image from File or Library) in Content Designer opens a new quicklink window within the Workarea. Aside from this, the window works the same as before.
When creating a hyperlink (linking tp content outside of the IUP website), note that the Hyperlink Manager address box now has a ellipses box next to the URL field for an alternative way to add a quicklink (see Hyperlink Manager image below). The Hyperlink Manager also has tabs to add anchors and e-mail addresses.
E-mail Addresses: E-mail addresses do not automatically become active when they are typed. You will need to highlight the e-mail address and copy it, open the Hyperlink Manager, click the E-mail tab, paste the address it into the Address field, and then click OK.
Hyperlink Manager
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Pasting Text
Old: Previously, choosing the Paste Text icon instantly inserted the text.
New: When using the Paste Text option in Content Designer, choosing the Paste Text icon brings up the Paste Plain Text dialogue box. Insert the text in this box and then press OK (see Toolbar image above).
Remember to always use Paste Text. This is especially critical when pasting text from a Word document. Although a warning box will no longer appear when pasting directly from Word, not using the Paste Text option will still insert unwanted html code. Always use Paste Text.
Note: If you try to paste Word text, then choose Select All, and then choose Format Stripper in an attempt to clean up the text, this will only result in one solid paragraph with non-breaking spaces scattered throughout, which the Web Team will then need to fix. So please, never simply choose Paste. Always use Paste Text.
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Images
As always, after inserting an image, choose left-or right-aligned from the Style dropdown menu, unless the image is full-width (see Apply Styles image above).
New: After placing the image, always select the image and then click on the Image Properties box at the bottom of the editing window (see Image Properties Box below).
Image Properties Box
Choose OK to set the height and width. Never adjust the height and width. If the image is not sized correctly for the page, the original image on your computer it must be resized, and then the image must be reuploaded to the CMS. Never resize an image from within the editing window.
Note: If you did not choose the left- or right-aligned option from the Style dropdown menu, you can do so in the Image Properties box at the bottom of the editing window. Be sure to choose one or the other (unless the image is full-width).
For more information, see How to Work With Images.
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Checklists
Creating bulleted and numbered lists in Content Designer follows the same steps as before.
A new option is making a Checklist.
To create a checklist, these steps must be followed in the exact order:
- Place the text, pressing Enter after each paragraph.
- Select all of the paragraphs that will be converted to a checklist. Be sure to select from the beginning of the first paragraph through the very end of the last paragraph, including any closing punctuation.
- Choose the Bullet icon.
- Choose “Checklist” from the Style dropdown menu.
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Tables
HTML tables are meant to be used for data and other tabular information. Avoid using them to create columns and other sorts of layouts.
If you do need to create a more varied layout, try making use of the page elements options instead. The Web Team can also help you make use of columns or other special page elements if you need them.
However, if you do have data and tabular information that needs to be in a table, be aware of these changes.
To create a table, place the cursor in an empty paragraph and select the Table icon (see Table Wizard image below). Choose the number of rows and columns from the graph by clicking on the appropriate box (up to 6x6). If more rows or columns are desired than what is displayed, select Table Wizard.
To add or remove rows, click on the relevant plus or minus signs. It’s generally okay to ignore the Table and Cell Properties tabs. However, the Accessibilty tab will always need attention. If there are heading columns or rows, note them here. When finished, click OK.
Table Wizard and Lower Toolbar
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