Rollover "definition" pop-up without having to recreate it every time the same word appears (glossary-like function)

Nov 17, 2015

Janet Bernhards
By Janet Bernhards

Hello,

I'm trying to figure out how to do something in Storyline2 that we did in Flash. In Flash, I have 8 words that have definitions in a "bank." In the lesson text, the words are orange. Anytime (and anywhere in the tutorial) the user rolls over an orange word, the definition pops up. Because the users have unrestricted movement, they might encounter the word in the last lesson instead of the first, so the same text needs to appear (on hover) each time that word appears.

First, is this a lightbox function? Could I do it that way?

Next--I'm using the left menu tab normally assigned to glossary for an acronym list. I thought about adding a Glossary tab to the player with a list, but I want it to be instantaneous. I don't want the user to have to go and click to have the file open.

I did see a glossary template in the forum that might work, but I can't tell if all of the words have to be on the same slide, and also where the definitions are actually stored.  Here's the link to the template:  https://community.articulate.com/download/storyline-2-glossary-template

Any thoughts on how best to do this?

Thanks!

JB

 

7 Replies
Janet Bernhards
over 8 years ago11/19/15 at 4:25 am (UTC)

Wendy,

Thanks for taking the time to do this. I sent you a separate message as I was unable to open this file, but figured I might as well ask here in case anyone else has the same issue. 

I see the file is a .story file, but when it downloads, it somehow becomes a zip file. I tried extracting all, but couldn't find a good file to launch with. "story.xml" gave me code.....

Just from the name, it seems I should be able to download and open in Storyline, but something's just not working for me. Any thoughts?

Janet Bernhards
over 8 years ago11/19/15 at 2:47 pm (UTC)

Wendy,

Before renaming I tried to download the file again. This time it left the story extension. Go figure! I was able to open the file and view what you had done.

This solution is probably what I would do if I can't find a better one. I was hoping to avoid copying and pasting! The idea is that if someone wants to change a few words in the definition after, say a first published version, then I don't want to have to go back and find each instance and recopy/paste the revised definition. I wanted to be able to make the change one time only. That means there would have to be some sort of "repository" to hold the definitions.

Of course, the best answer is to make sure the SME approves the text.... but we all know how that goes!!!

Thanks again, Wendy.

Ashley Terwilliger-Pollard
over 8 years ago11/19/15 at 7:15 pm (UTC)

Hi Janet,

Glad you got the file downloaded. We've seen other users run into similar issues before in the forums and it's typically a browser/security setting that it doesn't download direct and keep the file type. If you run into it again, definitely look at doing a "save as" or renaming the file extension as Wendy mentioned. 

You may also want to post this design query in the Building Better Courses side of the forums to see if others have created a similar set up that they could share here with you. 

Janet Bernhards
over 8 years ago12/04/15 at 2:21 pm (UTC)

Hi Wendy--Just wanted to let you know this method is what I ended up using. It took me a minute to figure out how to copy it, because I was thinking I had to copy the state.... Then I reread your message and copied the transparent shape, not the state. It worked well, and I can figure the rest out from here. Thanks so much!

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