Text Variable Reference Text Size Issues

Dec 19, 2016

Hi! I'm using the third option presented in this article to create my closed captions, and I'm having trouble with the text variable reference. I set the text reference font size to 17 pts, but when I preview the slide, the captions come in inconsistently sized (not all 17 pts). I checked the text box settings, and the autofit setting is on "Do not Autofit." I'm even using the same number of characters for each variable change. Does anyone know what could be going on?

3 Replies
Alyssa Gomez

Hi Lauren! 

I wanted to point out this article that explains how text will shrink to fit when the variable reference is used. The text boxes don't update dynamically so you'll want to confirm that the text boxes are as large as possible to accommodate the potential text. Try increasing the dimensions of the text box, and let me know if that helps any.

If not, would you mind sharing your file here so I can take a closer look? You can use the Add Attachment button at the bottom of the reply window.

Lauren Parker

Hi Alyssa!

Thank you for responding! I didn't realize that variable references were treated differently, though I suppose it makes sense! I want all my closed caption boxes to be a consistent size, so I just resized the box to see what words were falling on a third line and adjusted the triggers accordingly. It was a clunky, very manual effort, but I have everything even now.

I've submitted feature requests and I spoke with some Articulate folks at DevLearn about closed captioning functionality. I really, really, really would love to have it in Storyline! We keep using Captivate only because it has the built-in capability. I'm a Storyline devotee, and would love to dump Captivate altogether. That could happen if Storyline introduced closed captioning! :D

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