Format Number Variables when Displayed

Feb 18, 2013

I have created a simple calculation activity which shows an amount in "savings." The activity calculates savings based on user inputs. When I display the results, is there a way to format the result with a comma thousands separator? (e.g. "10,000" instead of "10000")?

I realize I could do this in Javascript; however, I believe Javascript won't work in the iPad player, which the client wants as a delivery option. I'm looking for a solution within Storyline's features if one exists.

9 Replies
Rebecca Adler

Thanks for the reply, Sam! Yes, this will be hosted on a SCORM LMS.

Do you know of a workaround for the Javascript working on the Mobile Player? The feature compatibility list (http://www.articulate.com/support/kb_article.php?product=st1&id=1568gg1ayot2) as well as the book "Storyline for Starters" state that Javascript will work in a browser only, but not in the mobile player. :-( Is there a way? Thanks!

Sam Carter

SCORM and Articulate Mobile Player's support for TinCan are somewhat different.  If you are going to use Storyline's AMP on the iPad, your LMS must support TinCan. If you are running Storyline using SCORM 1.2/1.3 in Safari, JavaScript will work on an iPad.  But there are other problems with iPad/Safari/Storyline which might be worse than formatting your numbers with commas.

TinCan is still pretty new.  There are a dozen or so LMS that support it, none that I have access to.  If it isn't proprietary info, which LMS are you using?

Rebecca Adler

For the project on which I need the numerical formatting, I do not yet know which LMS they're using. (The question is out to them with no reply as of yet.)

Yes, we're caught in a limbo of sorts as all of these technologies are evolving! I've been experimenting with Tin Can output for iPad using SCORM Cloud. I have found that HTML 5 output for iPad use does not quite perform as needed. I'm sure it will get better in time.

On other current/future projects, here are the LMSs I'm dealing with:

  • Litmos. Tin Can output works and the course plays on the iPad AMP, but when launching the course on a PC, it opens a new window, something it doesn't do for SCORM 1.2. output.
  • ELogic is an LMS I'll be working with in the months to come.
  • Cornerstone is another LMS I may be working with in the near future. It appears they publish their own mobile app, which is offered to clients who purchase their LMS services.
Sam Carter

I like the LITMOS UI, but I don't understand your comment about the new window opening on a PC.  This is fairly common, perhaps an even split in my experience.  Courses are configured to open in either an iFrame or new Window about 50/50.

Does LITMOS not support iFrames or did you configure iFrame launch but it opened a new window anyway?

Sam Carter

Rebecca Adler said:

I have found that HTML 5 output for iPad use does not quite perform as needed. I'm sure it will get better in time.


I've found that HTML5 will run satisfactorily (with proper workarounds) on a couple of LMS. 

Can you expand on the performance problems you've had with HTML5?  Some issues have workarounds.  Others are not so lucky.

Rebecca Adler

To respond to the Litmos question,the "normal" behavior is for the course to open in a new window with Litmos' own "Exit" and "Next Module" buttons at the top of the window. With Tin Can on Litmos, yet another window opens on top of that first one. So the learner has to close the course window, then click the Exit button on the Litmos window, in order to return to the course launch page in the LMS.

To provide just one example for the HTML 5 question, I like to layer sound effects beneath narration. Storyline makes this easy to do, but Mobile Safari cannot play it back as designed. It can only process one media element at a time. I know I could mix the sound track separately and pull it in as one sound file, but that's more work and not as flexible when you want to make a quick change to SFX. I also like to use soundless videos that may come in and out of a course screen, with a separate voice track. Same problem.

Sam Carter

Rebecca Adler said:

To provide just one example for the HTML 5 question, I like to layer sound effects beneath narration. Storyline makes this easy to do, but Mobile Safari cannot play it back as designed. It can only process one media element at a time. I know I could mix the sound track separately and pull it in as one sound file, but that's more work and not as flexible when you want to make a quick change to SFX. I also like to use soundless videos that may come in and out of a course screen, with a separate voice track. Same problem.


You're right about the audio.  I mix mine to get it to work.  Using a tool like Audacity, it isn't much trouble to replace a track if the Audacity project is saved.

Your point about the soundless videos is a good one.  I suppose animate gifs are too short, but if not, they'll animate while audio plays.

Madeline Goepp

Rebecca Adler said:

To respond to the Litmos question,the "normal" behavior is for the course to open in a new window with Litmos' own "Exit" and "Next Module" buttons at the top of the window. With Tin Can on Litmos, yet another window opens on top of that first one. So the learner has to close the course window, then click the Exit button on the Litmos window, in order to return to the course launch page in the LMS.

I'm a little late on the response to this but late is better than never.

This occurs because Tin Can is designed to have ANYTHING be launched from the LMS.  Putting a Tin Can module in a window with the "Next Module" and "Exit" buttons would be impossible due to not knowing what this may be.

This discussion is closed. You can start a new discussion or contact Articulate Support.