I need to gather the word count for a Storyline course I'm creating. When I publish as a Word file, I'm able to get a total word count. Yet, is the count of my words in Notes, words on a slide or both?
If you want to try a different approach to getting a word count, you can try the app I created to do this. It's a Windows 10 app (completely free and doesn't require Amazon Web Services like my other apps) and can be found here:
You'll need to export the XLIFF file and then load it into the application. Works with both Rise 360 and Storyline courses. Hopefully it will be more accurate than publishing as a Word option but your mileage will vary depending on how you create your courses.
Some notes:
Storyline courses will vary on word count because slide names, scenes, etc. are included in the word count
Storyline courses will *not* count closed caption files as they're not accessible in how they're stored
For Rise 360, this method *should* be faster to get a count as you won't have to wait for the export to PDF. It should also count your answer-based feedback in quiz questions.
I hope this helps and *crossing my fingers* the word count is more accurate to boot!
Hi Thor, this is amazing and exciting, but not sure I'm allowed to use it because of security concerns. Does your app in anyway store the file I submit, or the information in it?
Thanks Lisa! Be on the lookout for an update in a few days. I found another way to increase the accuracy just a bit more. I've been busy upgrading one of the other 'heroes' and another one will be joining, soon. :)
File > Translation > Export to Word gives you a word count in the document. The actual word count of your storyline is listed in the table, the word count for the word document itself is the one in the bottom corner.
I also tried Thor M's free tool and found it to be fairly close. For the file I tested (and show in the image attached), the export says 1602 words and Thor's tool reported it as 1684 words, so only an 82 word difference. I'm not sure which is the correct number, but it's close enough for me to use for approving translation quotes.
Thanks for the shout out here. Nice call on the Translate to Word feature from Storyline featuring the Word Count. My solution for SL is likely reporting higher as it's also looking at slide names, too.
Highly recommend watching this short video: Word Count in Articulate Storyline: Quick & Easy Guide | BlinkSolve Tutorials https://youtu.be/giK2KKpxEzI
It not only provides a clear step-by-step guide on how to get a word count for your project using Alec Martelle's method, but it also offers insights into what exactly is counted. This includes every 'Source Text' box, scene names, slide names, and more. Plus, for those who need a specific word count (like content on slides but excluding slide notes and menu items), the video offers an easy method to achieve this.
Update: I tried it and pretty good. My word export said 8287 and the HERO WORD Count software said 8611. Thanks so much for offering to share your download :)
I checked this out and good to know. But would be too time consuming when I have 180 page word document for a module. But will keep it in mind for smaller modules. For this request I had I just needed an approximate and I think the slide names would have to be updated in the source file anyway to be included in any menu. But again thank you for sharing this as well. All of this came in handy today.
It's been almost 4 years since I last updated HEROWORDCOUNT and I've learned a lot since then!
With that knowledge gain, I've made significant changes to not only get better results but also so it's faster while meaning less work to get word counts.
Rise Improvements •Same process as before (you need to download the XLIFF files) but it's more accurate with word counting [likely will never be 100% accurate as not everything is presented in XLIFF files]
Storyline Improvements •Faster and more accurate - No need for XLIFF files which limited accuracy and added another step to get a word count •No mental gymnastics - Presents the following so you don't have to work out what's there: •Overall words used in course •Slide Content •Notes section •Scene, Slide, and Layer Names
HEROWORDCOUNT is free and Teresa since you're already using the app, the next time you open it, you'll have the latest version - if it's not showing, just go to the Microsoft Store Library to request the update.
Thank you Thor very grateful for the information and the update :)
I just opened it and it looks different from last week so I think i have the update. Since I don't search for an xliff file for the storyline file, am I uploading the source file or a published word file, just to be sure.
For RISE I have not had to do it before but I just looked not sure how you export the XLIFF file, I only see publishing for LMS, WEB or PDF and don't see an export/translation option. I am not overly techie, but can follow instructions well lol!
Yes, you have the latest version so you're good to go there.
For Storyline courses, just tell HEROWORDCOUNT where your course (.story file) is located on your computer.
For Rise courses, do this to download the XLIFF file:
Click on your course to open it.
From the upper right-hand corner, click Settings.
From Step 2, click EXPORT XLIFF FILE.
That's it - now in HEROWORDCOUNT just tell it where your XLIFF file downloaded to and you're good to go.
Just a quick note - Step 1 for Settings on the Rise 360 page indicates you should create a duplicate of your course. In this instance, it's not necessary as we're only using the XLIFF to get a word count.
I hope this helps and if you have any additional questions, please let me know.
20 Replies
Hi Holly
the best way to check is to do a test slide - I did
Great! Thanks Wendy.
Holly
If you want to try a different approach to getting a word count, you can try the app I created to do this. It's a Windows 10 app (completely free and doesn't require Amazon Web Services like my other apps) and can be found here:
https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9ND6JRMKF74Q
You'll need to export the XLIFF file and then load it into the application. Works with both Rise 360 and Storyline courses. Hopefully it will be more accurate than publishing as a Word option but your mileage will vary depending on how you create your courses.
Some notes:
I hope this helps and *crossing my fingers* the word count is more accurate to boot!
Hi Thor, this is amazing and exciting, but not sure I'm allowed to use it because of security concerns. Does your app in anyway store the file I submit, or the information in it?
Hello Miriam!
The app doesn't store the file or do any submittal as it's all local.
Once you install it from the MS Windows store, you'll need to
1. Export your XLIFF file from either Rise or Storyline.
2. Tell HEROWORDCOUNT where to find it.
3. Identify the file as Rise 360 or Storyline and then
4. Click Get Word Count.
That's it - and the latest version improves on the accuracy of the word count, too.
This worked GREAT!!! Thanks for sharing this tool - saved me a ton of copying and pasting or slowly timed clicking through the course!
Thanks Lisa! Be on the lookout for an update in a few days. I found another way to increase the accuracy just a bit more. I've been busy upgrading one of the other 'heroes' and another one will be joining, soon. :)
Version 1.2 now available in the Microsoft Store. If yours is showing a different version, please go to the Microsoft Store app and update.
File > Translation > Export to Word gives you a word count in the document. The actual word count of your storyline is listed in the table, the word count for the word document itself is the one in the bottom corner.
I also tried Thor M's free tool and found it to be fairly close. For the file I tested (and show in the image attached), the export says 1602 words and Thor's tool reported it as 1684 words, so only an 82 word difference. I'm not sure which is the correct number, but it's close enough for me to use for approving translation quotes.
Hey Alec!
Thanks for the shout out here. Nice call on the Translate to Word feature from Storyline featuring the Word Count. My solution for SL is likely reporting higher as it's also looking at slide names, too.
Thor
Hello Thor.
This app is absolutely superb and thank you very much for developing it.
Saving me hours of time messing about doing it other ways.
Feature request to Articulate: please add Word Count to show at the bottom of the screen in Rise or Storyline. Thank you!
Highly recommend watching this short video: Word Count in Articulate Storyline: Quick & Easy Guide | BlinkSolve Tutorials
https://youtu.be/giK2KKpxEzI
It not only provides a clear step-by-step guide on how to get a word count for your project using Alec Martelle's method, but it also offers insights into what exactly is counted. This includes every 'Source Text' box, scene names, slide names, and more. Plus, for those who need a specific word count (like content on slides but excluding slide notes and menu items), the video offers an easy method to achieve this.
Happy to have stumbled across this, someone asked me for a word count for a storyline file to translate to French and get a cost. Excited to try it
Update: I tried it and pretty good. My word export said 8287 and the HERO WORD Count software said 8611. Thanks so much for offering to share your download :)
I checked this out and good to know. But would be too time consuming when I have 180 page word document for a module. But will keep it in mind for smaller modules. For this request I had I just needed an approximate and I think the slide names would have to be updated in the source file anyway to be included in any menu. But again thank you for sharing this as well. All of this came in handy today.
Hello Teresa -
It's been almost 4 years since I last updated HEROWORDCOUNT and I've learned a lot since then!
With that knowledge gain, I've made significant changes to not only get better results but also so it's faster while meaning less work to get word counts.
Rise Improvements
•Same process as before (you need to download the XLIFF files) but it's more accurate with word counting [likely will never be 100% accurate as not everything is presented in XLIFF files]
Storyline Improvements
•Faster and more accurate - No need for XLIFF files which limited accuracy and
added another step to get a word count
•No mental gymnastics - Presents the following so you don't have to work out what's there:
•Overall words used in course
•Slide Content
•Notes section
•Scene, Slide, and Layer Names
HEROWORDCOUNT is free and Teresa since you're already using the app, the next time you open it, you'll have the latest version - if it's not showing, just go to the Microsoft Store Library to request the update.
Others can find it here on the Microsoft Store
https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9ND6JRMKF74Q
Thank you Thor very grateful for the information and the update :)
I just opened it and it looks different from last week so I think i have the update. Since I don't search for an xliff file for the storyline file, am I uploading the source file or a published word file, just to be sure.
For RISE I have not had to do it before but I just looked not sure how you export the XLIFF file, I only see publishing for LMS, WEB or PDF and don't see an export/translation option. I am not overly techie, but can follow instructions well lol!
I am excited if I can do it for RISE as well :0
Thanks again
Teresa
Hello Teresa -
Yes, you have the latest version so you're good to go there.
For Storyline courses, just tell HEROWORDCOUNT where your course (.story file) is located on your computer.
For Rise courses, do this to download the XLIFF file:
That's it - now in HEROWORDCOUNT just tell it where your XLIFF file downloaded to and you're good to go.
Just a quick note - Step 1 for Settings on the Rise 360 page indicates you should create a duplicate of your course. In this instance, it's not necessary as we're only using the XLIFF to get a word count.
I hope this helps and if you have any additional questions, please let me know.
It does! Fantastic thank you very much! Have a great day!!