Thank you for the tutorial on creating short cuts in Articulate Storyline. I am working on a project whereby
users need to navigate around the course using their keyboard (Keyboard short cuts) in order to navigate around the course. So they will not use the mouse to select and click but need a keyboard short cut to do so. Is this something you would be able to assist me with?
Additionally, you can set up the triggers for your navigation to correspond to a particular key click. When setting up the trigger you'll use the option listed under "Other events" and select "When user presses a key." You'll see a box where you'll click inside and then press the key that you would like to correspond with the trigger and you'll see that updated there.
I have found the trigger other settings and managed to use that, unfortunately where there are too many options exceeding a certain number it did not work that well any more. I looked at the 'how the tab key behaves' which you pointed out and how can I use this for someone who can not use the mouse and who depend on the keyboard to navigate. I was wondering whether there is a possibility for me to make use of the tab functionality to allow a user to select a highlighted area like a button or say hotspot to navigate to a different screen/ slide or layer....
I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "where there are too many options exceeding a certain number it did not work that well any more." as each trigger could only have one keyboard button (or a combo such as CTRL+5 or ALT+G, but not G+A) associated with it.
In regards to your second question the tab key can navigate to elements on the slide and to select them the user can use the enter or spacebar key. They will need to have the accessibility feature enabled within the "size and position" window for each slide element that you would like to be accessible using the tab key.
Additionally, you can set up the triggers for your navigation to correspond to a particular key click. When setting up the trigger you'll use the option listed under "Other events" and select "When user presses a key." You'll see a box where you'll click inside and then press the key that you would like to correspond with the trigger and you'll see that updated there.
Hope that helps get you started with your course!
Hi Ashley,
I'm trying to get the tab navigation working in my storyline file but there are two main issues:
The yellow box tabs from right to left at the top, and then down the slide - how can I get it to tab from left to right?
Once an object is selected, for example a button (and yes it is turned on for screen readers in the Size and Position box), it can't be selected via the keyboard. The space bar and the enter button both do not work.
There isn't a way to change the order in which elements are tabbed too, but it would be a great feature request.
In regards to the enter/space key click, that's working for me on a button. Could you tell us a bit more about your set up so that I can test it out on my end or if you'd like to share your files here with us we're happy to take a look.
I have recently encountered a similar issue as Grace R with keyboard navigation in Storyline 1 and 2.
Once an object is selected, for example a button (Object is visible to accessibility tools checked), it can't be selected via the keyboard. Both space bar and enter button do not work.
After troubleshooting for a while, I realised that the issue lies in Storyline not liking multiple elements in button states. I have attached an example to illustrate this.
In my example attached, "Test button 1" works but not "Test button 1" and the difference between both is that "Test button 2" visited state has an addition letter x on it.
Thank you for sharing that example file. I took a look and found that this was reported to our QA team for additional review. I don't have any updates to share on this issue, but will tag this thread as a part of the QA report so that I can share any updates here once their available.
Hi Ashley, This is a current issue as described in this other post of seven days ago involving Update 7 that involved key press navigation not working after choosing focus on another slide object:
I think I found a resolution by removing button-based triggers and adding triggers to the slide master but wanted to confirm that this post's issue and the current issue described in the other post had been resolved by the QA team. This post seems to deal mainly with the Enter key, so wanted to double check. Thanks!
That thread is a bit different than the issue discussed with James above. The issue that James ran into in regards to keyboard navigation on the slide and then triggers such as the enter or spacebar key to execute an action was associated with accessibility features - but the thread you linked had a portion of the key press trigger issue fixed in Update 7 as detailed here but there is still an outstanding element that our QA team is investigating.
Hi, Elish -- Thanks so much for reaching out, and would it be possible for you to share a bit more detail on the issue you are experiencing?
And while I will defer to your fellow community members who may be in a better position to speak on accessibility shortcuts and screen readers, I thought I might pass along this post in case it may be of some assistance: How can I make Storyline 2 work well with SCREEN READERS?
So I discovered that the keyboard shortcuts don't work for the learner until the timeline ends. You can't press any of the keys to navigate anywhere else until the timeline has finished.
Are you using restricted navigation in your courses? If you are, it may be impacting your key press triggers depending on your version of Storyline and how you've set it up.
Hello - I am checking to see if there has been an update to the keyboard issue of not being able to use enter or the spacebar to activate a slide layer. I have the accessibility set up, but when I tab and press enter/space, nothing happens.
Thanks!
EDIT: If it helps, I had text as a trigger. When I made the text a button, it worked.
Thanks for checking back! Are you looking to return to the base layer when the user clicks "space" or "enter"?
If so, you're on the right track! Using a trigger to "Jump to Slide when user presses key" is the correct trigger to use. We've found this interaction is pretty specific, so I'm happy to take a look if you want to share your file! You can do so by using the "add attachment button" in this discussion.
Hi, I am working on Disability Awareness course and keyboard shortcuts is very important part. I am trying to create the following triggers but struggling how to create triggers. Can you please help?
1. appear or disappear closed caption by pressing c.
2. Open Resource by pressing R key
3. Turn on audio by pressing A, mute by M
4. Help desk for technical support by pressing H (email)
5. Download a transcript for the course by pressing t.
I'm currently in the process of creating custom keyboard shortcuts for a client. I would like to set up my own keyboard shortcuts for Mute/Unmute along with adjusting the volume but I can't find any built-in variables to adjust. I know you can use 'ctrl+alt+m' to toggle the volume on/off, but I'd like to reduce that to just 'M' to increase accessibility and reduce complexity.
Is there a way to toggle or adjust the volume level with an event?
I'm not aware of a built-in variable you can use to mute the sound in your project, but take a look at the method described in this response (and discussion) using Javascript:
22 Replies
Hi Michelle,
You may want to begin by looking at some of the built in functionality for keyboard controls such as how the tab key will behave, or how the enter key behaves for data entry fields (fill in the blank).
Additionally, you can set up the triggers for your navigation to correspond to a particular key click. When setting up the trigger you'll use the option listed under "Other events" and select "When user presses a key." You'll see a box where you'll click inside and then press the key that you would like to correspond with the trigger and you'll see that updated there.
Hope that helps get you started with your course!
Thank you very much Ashley,
I have found the trigger other settings and managed to use that, unfortunately where there are too many options exceeding a certain number it did not work that well any more. I looked at the 'how the tab key behaves' which you pointed out and how can I use this for someone who can not use the mouse and who depend on the keyboard to navigate. I was wondering whether there is a possibility for me to make use of the tab functionality to allow a user to select a highlighted area like a button or say hotspot to navigate to a different screen/ slide or layer....
I hope it makes sense.
Many Thanks
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
I'm not sure I understand what you mean by " where there are too many options exceeding a certain number it did not work that well any more." as each trigger could only have one keyboard button (or a combo such as CTRL+5 or ALT+G, but not G+A) associated with it.
In regards to your second question the tab key can navigate to elements on the slide and to select them the user can use the enter or spacebar key. They will need to have the accessibility feature enabled within the "size and position" window for each slide element that you would like to be accessible using the tab key.
Hope that helps!
Hi Ashley,
I'm trying to get the tab navigation working in my storyline file but there are two main issues:
Any pointers, before I submit a support ticket?
Thanks,
Grace
Hi Grace and welcome to Heroes!
There isn't a way to change the order in which elements are tabbed too, but it would be a great feature request.
In regards to the enter/space key click, that's working for me on a button. Could you tell us a bit more about your set up so that I can test it out on my end or if you'd like to share your files here with us we're happy to take a look.
Hi Ashley and all,
I have recently encountered a similar issue as Grace R with keyboard navigation in Storyline 1 and 2.
Once an object is selected, for example a button (Object is visible to accessibility tools checked), it can't be selected via the keyboard. Both space bar and enter button do not work.
After troubleshooting for a while, I realised that the issue lies in Storyline not liking multiple elements in button states. I have attached an example to illustrate this.
In my example attached, "Test button 1" works but not "Test button 1" and the difference between both is that "Test button 2" visited state has an addition letter x on it.
Thanks,
James
Hi James,
Thank you for sharing that example file. I took a look and found that this was reported to our QA team for additional review. I don't have any updates to share on this issue, but will tag this thread as a part of the QA report so that I can share any updates here once their available.
Hi Ashley, Any update on this issue?
Hi Richard,
What update of Storyline 2 are you on? I see that it's noted as fixed a part of Update 5 which added additional 508 support and some custom tab order. You will want to take a look at installed the latest update (we're now on Update 7) and republishing your courses with that update. Also ensure you're testing the published output within the intended environment.
Hi Ashley, This is a current issue as described in this other post of seven days ago involving Update 7 that involved key press navigation not working after choosing focus on another slide object:
https://community.articulate.com/discussions/articulate-storyline/custom-next-previous-slide-keys-don-t-work-after-clicking-a-button#reply-312756
I think I found a resolution by removing button-based triggers and adding triggers to the slide master but wanted to confirm that this post's issue and the current issue described in the other post had been resolved by the QA team. This post seems to deal mainly with the Enter key, so wanted to double check. Thanks!
Hi Richard,
That thread is a bit different than the issue discussed with James above. The issue that James ran into in regards to keyboard navigation on the slide and then triggers such as the enter or spacebar key to execute an action was associated with accessibility features - but the thread you linked had a portion of the key press trigger issue fixed in Update 7 as detailed here but there is still an outstanding element that our QA team is investigating.
I have adifferent question. Why are the shorts cut (I had define) not working only when I use the screen reader ?
Hi, Elish -- Thanks so much for reaching out, and would it be possible for you to share a bit more detail on the issue you are experiencing?
And while I will defer to your fellow community members who may be in a better position to speak on accessibility shortcuts and screen readers, I thought I might pass along this post in case it may be of some assistance: How can I make Storyline 2 work well with SCREEN READERS?
Thank you chrisitie!!!
I followed the link you shared here' it's help me to be sure the screen reader dosen't allow every shortcut Apart from a few characters.
But now I have more Question' I willn ask its there already' but THANS!!!
So I discovered that the keyboard shortcuts don't work for the learner until the timeline ends. You can't press any of the keys to navigate anywhere else until the timeline has finished.
Hi Keithia,
Are you using restricted navigation in your courses? If you are, it may be impacting your key press triggers depending on your version of Storyline and how you've set it up.
Take a look at how restricted navigation behaves in Storyline 2, compared with Storyline 360.
If you need us to peek inside your file, we're happy too! Upload a copy here using the Add Attachment button.
Hello - I am checking to see if there has been an update to the keyboard issue of not being able to use enter or the spacebar to activate a slide layer. I have the accessibility set up, but when I tab and press enter/space, nothing happens.
Thanks!
EDIT: If it helps, I had text as a trigger. When I made the text a button, it worked.
Hi Jillian!
Thanks for checking back! Are you looking to return to the base layer when the user clicks "space" or "enter"?
If so, you're on the right track! Using a trigger to "Jump to Slide when user presses key" is the correct trigger to use. We've found this interaction is pretty specific, so I'm happy to take a look if you want to share your file! You can do so by using the "add attachment button" in this discussion.
Thanks, Lauren! I was more having an issue of getting the layer to show when he user hits enter on tabbing. But I have it working now. Thank you!
Hi, I am working on Disability Awareness course and keyboard shortcuts is very important part. I am trying to create the following triggers but struggling how to create triggers. Can you please help?
1. appear or disappear closed caption by pressing c.
2. Open Resource by pressing R key
3. Turn on audio by pressing A, mute by M
4. Help desk for technical support by pressing H (email)
5. Download a transcript for the course by pressing t.
Thank you very much!
I'm currently in the process of creating custom keyboard shortcuts for a client. I would like to set up my own keyboard shortcuts for Mute/Unmute along with adjusting the volume but I can't find any built-in variables to adjust. I know you can use 'ctrl+alt+m' to toggle the volume on/off, but I'd like to reduce that to just 'M' to increase accessibility and reduce complexity.
Is there a way to toggle or adjust the volume level with an event?
Hi, Kenneth.
Thank you for reaching out!
I'm not aware of a built-in variable you can use to mute the sound in your project, but take a look at the method described in this response (and discussion) using Javascript:
Javascript to MUTE audio?
I hope this helps!