I have a course with large chunks of texts that need to be justified, and one-letter words cannot be at the end of the line. In HTML I did this using non-breaking spaces after them, I wish to do the same in Storyline, but inserting a nbsp does not work, the word stays at the end of the line. Are the any ways to solve this problem?
To my knowledge there is no way to do a non-breaking space. It is one of a number of typographic functions that have yet to be implemented, e.g., proper tabs, em and en dashes, text wrapping or filling odd shapes. I know that more sophisticated text support has been a common topic on the forum and suggest you make a feature request. The more requests they get about items the likely they are to implement them. (Stepping down from my soapbox...)
If Michel's suggestion doesn't work, you can also type SHIFT+ENTER where you want the line to break. That will insert a soft return (i.e., start a new linewithout starting a new paragraph). It's labor intensive if there are a lot of instances, and you might have to go back later and delete the soft return if any text editing impacts the wrapping. But it does allow you to control exactly where the lines wrap.
Thanks for that tip on non-breaking spaces. I'm happy to say that Storyline 2 addressed many of typographic limitations — though not all — and you can now enter en and em dashes: en dash (–) "Alt+0150" em dash (—) "Alt +0151"
Still waiting and hoping for proper tabs, tables, and text wrapping...
As of 2018 Alt-0160 does not work in Storyline360, whether using number row or numeric keypad or even the Symbol menu where it is called 'NO BREAK SPACE'. Pretty underwhelming.
Thanks for the response, I appreciate your taking the time to answer.
But no, does not work regardless of Num Lock setting. I have tried inserting Alt-0160 with and without Num Lock and using Insert -> Symbol and choosing character 0160 from the character map. Just does not work. I get a space, but it's a breaking one, I've tried inserting a nonbreaking space in a word document and then copying and pasting that into the Articulate document (this works in PowerPoint, for example) and that does not work either.
Pasting from Word using the different options (like Keep Source Formatting) does not work either.
If I paste a nonbreaking space in from Word (or PPT) and then copy and paste it back from Articulate into Word (or PPT), it turns into a regular space. So Articulate is somehow converting it to being the wrong character. FWIW, en rule "Alt+0150" works fine.
I did not express my disappointment without having a fair go at solving the problem, I assure you.
I installed the program two days ago, so it is completely up to date.
Thanks for compiling your testing notes! You certainly had a fair go at solving the problem. I had another go myself and experienced the same behavior – my sincere apologies!
You are correct that non-breaking spaces do NOT currently work in Storyline 360.
I have since found a few other feature requests submitted via our feature request form, and I've logged an additional feature request in your behalf. You're in the right place, and we'll post all updates here once we have them!
I’d like to add my support to getting non-breaking spaces, hyphens, etc. working in Storyline. I’m doing some multi-lingual stuff currently, and the typographic guidelines require certain words and characters to be kept together.
If you really really absolutely need this, you can try to insert an underscore in a color matching the background (probably white) instead of the protected space ;)
I'm glad that Stephan was able to share a helpful idea with you here.
It looks like your email signature came through when you replied via email. You can remove that if needed by clicking ‘Edit’ beneath your response. Here’s a quick Peek video if you need help.
Good idea indeed, but still it poses a problem for accessibility and screen readers. Such a basic feature should be available as it's not hard to code that.
It looks like the issue of non-breaking space is not working, is actually related to Modern Text which is based on Microsoft's DirectWrite API.
If you change your Storyline to use classic text (by going to Design tab -> Fonts, and un-check "Use Modern Text"), then the non-breaking space should work properly.
But for sure Modern Text style provides a better text rendering result, so if you decide to change it back to Classic Text, the side effect would be losing all the benefits introducing from Modern Text.
Unfortunately that doesn't work for me either. I've checked, I have never used modern text but the non-breaking space doesn't work. Just like Darren described it, I can insert it, it just won't work. This is really making (editing) life more difficult than it should be. So, as mentioned by others a couple of years (!) earlier, I'm looking forward to a solution (i.e. non-breaking space insertable AND working).
32 Replies
To my knowledge there is no way to do a non-breaking space. It is one of a number of typographic functions that have yet to be implemented, e.g., proper tabs, em and en dashes, text wrapping or filling odd shapes. I know that more sophisticated text support has been a common topic on the forum and suggest you make a feature request. The more requests they get about items the likely they are to implement them. (Stepping down from my soapbox...)
Two workaround options in the interim that might be very painful to do but should work . . .
1) Have the text set up in another program, like Word. Take a screenshot and insert that into Storyline as a graphic.
2) Create your text in HTML pages and insert it in Storyline as local web objects.
Please type "Alt+0160" where you want the non-breaking space to be!
If Michel's suggestion doesn't work, you can also type SHIFT+ENTER where you want the line to break. That will insert a soft return (i.e., start a new line without starting a new paragraph). It's labor intensive if there are a lot of instances, and you might have to go back later and delete the soft return if any text editing impacts the wrapping. But it does allow you to control exactly where the lines wrap.
Michel,
Thanks for that tip on non-breaking spaces. I'm happy to say that Storyline 2 addressed many of typographic limitations — though not all — and you can now enter en and em dashes:
en dash (–) "Alt+0150"
em dash (—) "Alt +0151"
Still waiting and hoping for proper tabs, tables, and text wrapping...
ALT+0160 works for me. Have you tried using the right-side numeric keyboard?
As of 2018 Alt-0160 does not work in Storyline360, whether using number row or numeric keypad or even the Symbol menu where it is called 'NO BREAK SPACE'. Pretty underwhelming.
Hi Darren,
It worked on my end. I used the number pad at the right side of my keyboard with NumLock enabled. Hope this helps.
Hi John
Thanks for the response, I appreciate your taking the time to answer.
But no, does not work regardless of Num Lock setting. I have tried inserting Alt-0160 with and without Num Lock and using Insert -> Symbol and choosing character 0160 from the character map. Just does not work. I get a space, but it's a breaking one, I've tried inserting a nonbreaking space in a word document and then copying and pasting that into the Articulate document (this works in PowerPoint, for example) and that does not work either.
Pasting from Word using the different options (like Keep Source Formatting) does not work either.
If I paste a nonbreaking space in from Word (or PPT) and then copy and paste it back from Articulate into Word (or PPT), it turns into a regular space. So Articulate is somehow converting it to being the wrong character. FWIW, en rule "Alt+0150" works fine.
I did not express my disappointment without having a fair go at solving the problem, I assure you.
I installed the program two days ago, so it is completely up to date.
Thanks anyway.
Hi Darren,
Thanks for compiling your testing notes! You certainly had a fair go at solving the problem. I had another go myself and experienced the same behavior – my sincere apologies!
You are correct that non-breaking spaces do NOT currently work in Storyline 360.
I have since found a few other feature requests submitted via our feature request form, and I've logged an additional feature request in your behalf. You're in the right place, and we'll post all updates here once we have them!
Many thanks.
I'll look forward to seeing the changes...
Alt + , not Alt -
Hyphen, plus, whatever, it just means hit both keys; I do not think there is a standard notation for this. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control-Alt-Delete
I’d like to add my support to getting non-breaking spaces, hyphens, etc. working in Storyline. I’m doing some multi-lingual stuff currently, and the typographic guidelines require certain words and characters to be kept together.
Alt+0160 works in update 1 and then it stops working in update 2 . Strange.
Hi Jacek,
What version of Storyline are you using? We're well past Updates 1 and 2 in all versions:
Storyline 3, build 3.5.16548.0
Storyline 360, build 3.24.17733.0
Storyline 2, Update 13
I'd recommend always working on the latest update to ensure you have all those fixes and items in place.
Still not working in October 2019 and it's a shame !
If you really really absolutely need this, you can try to insert an underscore in a color matching the background (probably white) instead of the protected space ;)
That's a good idea. I guess any character would do, as long as the colour matches just right.
Dr Darren Goossens
Science Writer and Editor, Training Manager | Biotext
Trevor Pearcey House (Block E) Level 1
34 Thynne St
Bruce ACT 2617
t 02 6282 2280
m 0474 122581
e darren.goossens@biotext.com.au
w www.biotext.com.au
The Australian manual of scientific style (AMOSS) is now available at sciencestyle.com.au
"I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible." Katherine Morland (Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen)
Hi Darren,
I'm glad that Stephan was able to share a helpful idea with you here.
It looks like your email signature came through when you replied via email. You can remove that if needed by clicking ‘Edit’ beneath your response. Here’s a quick Peek video if you need help.
Good idea indeed, but still it poses a problem for accessibility and screen readers. Such a basic feature should be available as it's not hard to code that.
It looks like the issue of non-breaking space is not working, is actually related to Modern Text which is based on Microsoft's DirectWrite API.
If you change your Storyline to use classic text (by going to Design tab -> Fonts, and un-check "Use Modern Text"), then the non-breaking space should work properly.
But for sure Modern Text style provides a better text rendering result, so if you decide to change it back to Classic Text, the side effect would be losing all the benefits introducing from Modern Text.
(Classic Text is using Microsoft's Uniscribe API)
Unfortunately that doesn't work for me either. I've checked, I have never used modern text but the non-breaking space doesn't work. Just like Darren described it, I can insert it, it just won't work.
This is really making (editing) life more difficult than it should be. So, as mentioned by others a couple of years (!) earlier, I'm looking forward to a solution (i.e. non-breaking space insertable AND working).
Hello Training Service, and welcome to E-Learning Heroes. 😊
I appreciate you reaching out and sharing what you are experiencing as well as the troubleshooting that you've done so far.
I've opened a support case on your behalf so that you can work directly with one of our support engineers. You should be hearing from someone soon.
Any progress on non-breaking spaces?