Forum Discussion
Define default value for an input field by changing it on stage (similar to how it is with sliders)
I want to be able to change the default values for my variables directly on stage, instead of going in the variable manager (I have a bunch of them, and its much more practical and intuitive to do it this way).
This works when using the slider, which is great - moving a slider on stage updates its default value automatically. However, I'd like to be able to do that with text strings as well.
If this is not possible, it seems the best solution would be to have input text fields behave the same way as sliders - ie. the default value for their variables should change to whatever the user types in on the element on stage. That would be a feature request, I guess.
Unless anyone knows a way to achieve this currently?
You can do this with the prompt in text input boxes. I'm not sure where you would type it to change a variable, unless you put it in a change variable trigger.
Sorry, I don't understand what you mean by "You can do this with the prompt in text input boxes". Could you elaborate please?
Please note that I want the default value of an input field to change when updating it on stage, in the editor itself (Storyline), not in the published project. You mention putting it in "a change variable trigger", however this has no effect in the editor itself.
Are you looking to change the prompt in the text input box? See the attached video. The "type something else" is the prompt the learner sees, and not related to the variable. In the case of a slider, the slider reflects the variable, or sets it. In a text input box, it only sets the variable, unless you delete the trigger. Then it does nothing. If the variable has a value, that value replaces the prompt. If you just want to change the prompt, type in it. There is little point in having a default value in a variable that is changed by a text input box, if I understand what you are asking. A default value is used so the variable can have a value until you change it. Changing it can't be done the way you want, but doesn't need to be. If the variable is blank, the text input box prompt will be used, and you can change that by typing in the editor.
Or do you want to change the default values for the variables? The default value is the value the variable will have if not changed. That is, until the learner makes an entry into it. Then the variable is changed by this trigger:
which is automatically inserted when you insert a text entry field. You can edit this trigger to attach the entry field to a different variable.
Hey Walt, thank you!
I describe what I want to achieve in my original post.
It is an unusual request, however it is something we would find useful. The plan is I would be able to create a "Secret Dashboard Slide", which would be included in the exported version, but in a way that the user won't see it (for example, it could be 1s slide with a layer containing a white rectangle covering it). That "Secret Dashboard Slide" would contain all relevant variables (alongside any useful descriptive text/information).
It would allow my team members to change default values for certain variables by simply adjusting them there, then exporting the project. This would avoid them needing to go into the Manage Project Variables window, which is not very intuitive, especially when the variable count is high.
To change default values you would need to do it in the manage variables dialog.
Or add timeline start triggers to the ver first slide and they change the conditions in there
Thanks! Could you elaborate on this?
As far as I know, triggers only work on the published project.
I want the variable change to happen within Storyline (the editor), before exporting.
Thanks for clarifying. Phil's second suggestion will work. Here's one way I've done it.
It is just a way to edit a variable without opening the editor.
If you add triggers on the timeline start of the first slide, to adjust the variable, the editor could run through the list and populate the values and these would be set on runtime. It may get time consuming but if like me you use similar names for each project you only have to set once.
Ah got it! Thanks for explaining.
That is indeed an alternative to avoid needing to use the Manage Project Variables window.
Unfortunately editing the triggers isn't intuitive either...
I'd like to design my own dashboard. As I mentioned, this would be possible simply by making text input behave like sliders.
I don’t think that will happen, at the moment the text written in a text entry field is the text displayed before the variable has a value which would lose a feature.
Sent from my iPhone
2 years later but I had to comment it; because I am looking for the same thing. We have a storyline template with many slides, and we have to copy/paste text from a text document to all specific places in all the slides. It would have been easier and faster if we would be able to create our custom form to manage variables inside storyline editor. This way we have only to fill that unique form and all the texts will be put on all the slides where variables are referenced. In other terms, it would be variables used by storyline users (creators) and not learners (final users).
