Forum Discussion
Saving Storyline Variables to a PDF
I was asked about an example I created for saving variables from Storyline into a PDF file for download. Rather than fill the ELHChallenge thread with the information I decided to write up a thread on what I did. If you have any questions feel free to reach out.
The course executes JavaScript from within a Storyline (trigger) with the use of a client-side JavaScript PDF generator, jsPDF. This will not work locally, however, I have had successes with it functioning in IE11 without being hosted. It is easiest to design the PDF prior to inputting this into the course as you cannot preview. Thankfully, the jsPDF package contains an editor with their examples to design in.
Script & Demo Files for jsPDF:
Parallax: http://parall.ax/products/jspdf (contains an editor as well)
or via
GitHub: https://github.com/MrRio/jsPDF
1. Add Variables(score)/Text Entry fields
2. Add Trigger to execute JavaScript when user clicks (for downloading the PDF)
3. Retrieve the Player Variables within the .js field of the trigger and attach jsPDF settings per desired result look and feel.
**Notice an additional variable is created to transitioning the Storyline variable for the "Notes" in order to use ".splitTextToSize" for text wrapping within the PDF file. By default text wrapping does not occur.
4. Publish the course and add the applicable JavaScript files needed for your package (I placed mine within the "story_content" directory)
5. Add script files to the HTML <head></head>(story.html)
6. The result: Articulate Storyline Variables pushed to a downloadable PDF.
Storyline:
PDF Output:
Live Version:
https://googledrive.com/host/0B9kY09mQf_iqV3dTQ0Q4cUFvTlU/
Source & Published Files:
111 Replies
Thanks Jedidiah for sharing those with Emilse
Thanks so much for the links Jedidiah.
I tried to insert images using that code from the instructions, but dataimg are too long (like 5 .pptx pages). I couldn’t insert them into the storyline box (the javascript box). I think there is a restriction in how much code you can insert in Storyline?… That’s why, I needed an alternative way of doing this. I have done research, but unfortunately I am not a coder and this things are very hard for me.
The other thing I was trying is to center texts. But this library doesn’t include this possibility. You only can adjust x/y parameters. L
Actually, if you're willing to open the user.js file after publishing you
can edit the script there. When you enter script into the storyline trigger
box it creates a function with a crazy name and inserts it into user.js
(under the story_content folder) in the published output.
Hi Emilse,
Just as an FYI, each JavaScript trigger can have up to 32,767 characters of code.
Thanks Jedidiah for sharing, I didn't know that. I will try to make it work :)
And thanks Ashley for the comment, is good to know.
Hi Emilse,
I haven't been actively pursuing a solution to my problems, as bigger issues have cropped up. However, I never did get my PDF working.
Hi Kristen,
Thanks for chiming back in here and sharing that update. If there is anything else we can assist with please feel free to let us know here or connect with our Support Engineers here.
I downloaded the files and it also does not work for me. I click Download and it just does nothing. I have all the files in the right place. I am using Chrome and will be using IE8 and IE11 browsers (upgrading soon but should still work in either). Anyone get this to work after having issues?
Hi Mary Ann,
Which files were you downloading? Did you upload your published course into a web server or LMS or were you testing it locally? You'll want to ensure you're testing in the intended environment as described here, as testing locally could cause you to encounter security restrictions.
Yes, you're right. I will try with the LMS... Thanks!
I was also unable to get this working until I opened the story.html file and added the following script references alongside the existing user.js and story.js tags.
<script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-1.11.3.min.js"></script>
<script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-migrate-1.2.1.min.js"></script>
<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.4/jquery.min.js"></script>(I have no idea if these are redundant, but I added all of them and presto - it all worked.)
Make sure that you also reference the FileSaver.js, jspdf.js etc. as described in the OP.
I also published without HTML5 as this seems to only work in the flash publish.
Thanks Jedidiah!
Sounds good Mary Ann - and definitely take a look at the info Jedidiah shared as well, as the JS elements are not something I can assist with.
