How to require text entry

Aug 31, 2012

I have a slide with three text entry objects on it. I want to user to type something (anything) in all three boxes and then press submit. Which will take them to another slide. On that next slide I want what they typed in each box to be in three new text entry objects.

I thought I could add a trigger condition for the submit button that the variables for each of the three entries are not equal to blank. But that didn't work. Regardless of if they have typed something in there the submit takes them to the next slide.

First question: How do I require that submit not work until they have entered something in all three?

Next I figured I could display what they had typed on the previous slide by referencing the variables created on the other slide. At first I tried putting %textEntry0% directly in the default value for the variables on the next slide. But all that did was put "%textEntry0% into the new text entry box. I also tried putting it in the box, just like putting it in a text field. But that didn't work either.

Also I don't want to change the second slide to text boxes. The user might type a lot (not likely, but possible) and then the text would get all messed up.

Second question: How do I get their entries to show up in a text entry box on another slide?

24 Replies

Matthew Graham

over 11 years ago08/31/12 at 2:29 pm (UTC)

I just did this on my current project, so maybe I can help.

1) Make sure you are using or not equal to blank instead of and with the false trigger. This does work, so look over the logic just to make sure. These tend to not work as planned because of one variable that is acting differently than you intended. Your two triggers:

Submit trigger - Jumps to next page with variables - create variables that say if textEntry0!= AND textEntry1!= AND textEntry2!=
Don't Submit trigger- show layer saying you must complete all fields - create variables that say textEntry0== OR textEntry1== OR textEntry2==

You could also try making that slide into a freeform under the insert tab, and that may automate some of it for you.

2) Create a new variable on the first page, like "textEntry0". Name it, set it to text, and do not put a value. Then simply type "%textEntry0%" wherever on the next slide to display what they typed. This could be in a text box, on a shape--wherever.

If this isn't working and you're cool with it, post your project file.

Murdock DM

11 years ago03/13/13 at 12:23 pm (UTC)

Hi,

I am also looking for a solution for such a scenario. I am testing a few e-learning tools for my company (e.g. Adobe and yours). In adobe I can add a text entry object over a screenshot. Then I simply check a "validate" checkbox. After that I click on a plus sign, type in the extact value I want students to type in (even has a "case sensitive" checkbox) and click done.

How could I achieve this with storyline?

Adam Mac

11 years ago03/15/13 at 8:49 am (UTC)

@ Murdock, yes this can be achieved using SL using Trigges and Variables. For a text entry, you would have the options of equal to and not equal to, each with an option for case sensitive or not.

As Matthew posted above, you can additionally include layers to help instruct users if they have not entered the correct variable.

Thomas Turrell-Croft

almost 6 years ago06/13/18 at 11:23 am (UTC)

I believe that the information in these replies need updating. In Articulate 360 it is now possible to require a user to answer a question before submitting a response.

Required input

5 years ago01/21/19 at 4:21 pm (UTC)

This method works if the text entry is part of a free-form question slide, but this option is not available if you just put a text entry box on a regular slide.

Alyssa Gomez
Staff

5 years ago01/22/19 at 6:40 pm (UTC)

Hi Elizabeth! Tell me more about what you're looking to do. Do you want to require a learner to type something in a text entry field before moving on?

If so, you'll want to convert your slide to a Freeform Text Entry slide – it's easy! Simply clicking the Insert tab, then click Convert to Freeform. From there, choose the Text Entry option.

If that's not exactly what you had in mind, let me know and we'll keep brainstorming!

James Picton

5 years ago02/12/19 at 2:44 am (UTC)

Hi Alyssa,

I think that Elizabeth is suggesting that she simply wants to add a text box to captures some user input, before allowing them to move on. I am doing a similar thing in my course, where I ask students to explain 'how play is different to games' (in their own words). It's a reflective activity, so no really correct/incorrect answers.

Checking that text has been entered into a text field can be achieved using variables and triggers as Matthew and Adam Mac proposed, but I'm going to elaborate on Thomas' (and your) answer a little and pull in some of Matthew's work.

Validate a textfield (without requiring an 'Acceptable' answer)

Add text field and Submit button to your slide
Convert slide to Free-form
pop to 'Form View'
Enable feedback if you want to give it (most likely you will)
Require 'User Must answer'
Results Slide (up to you) or you can do this on a layer etc
Score 'None' (this removes the 'Enter Acceptable Answers' fields)
Test!

Displaying the user's textfield input back to them

If you want to display the user's input back to them, do as Matthew suggested:

Define a variable to store the user's textfield input e.g. screenID_textField%
Ensure the variable is set to 'text' and don't set a default value
Type "screenID_textField%" in the layer, or area of the screen that you wish to display it e.g.

Although there is no right or wrong answer, it is interesting that you think "screenID_textField%" about this topic.

Great for reflective questions with no right or wrong answers, and want to provide a sense of user interaction/dialogue.

Cheers!
Jim

5 years ago02/12/19 at 2:54 am (UTC)

Thanks, @MatthewGraham :-)

5 years ago02/12/19 at 3:36 am (UTC)

Nice one, Thomas!

5 years ago02/12/19 at 3:52 am (UTC)

Hi Elizabeth,

You sound s though you simply want to validate that the user has put some text into the textfield? Thomas' suggestion is a good one, and converting your standard slide to free-form won't cause any problems. Take a look at his settings in the screencap, especially the 'Score' which he has set to 'None'. By doing this it removes all of the 'Enter Acceptable Answers' boxes and simply leaves you with the option to evaluate a field instead.

I provided a bit of a stepthrough at the bottom of the page.

Hope this helps?

Cheers!
Jim

Leslie McKerchie
Staff

5 years ago02/12/19 at 2:44 pm (UTC)

Thanks so much for chiming in to share your solution with Elizabeth here, Jim! Very helpful.

James Picton

5 years ago02/13/19 at 2:21 am (UTC)

No probs, Leslie :-)

The helpful and friendly community interaction is the main thing that sets Storyline above competitors such as Captivate and Lectora.

Cheers,
Jim

Tim Brobst

5 years ago03/15/19 at 4:16 pm (UTC)

Super-lazy-easy way to require a text entry field be completed:

Place a shape off screen. Have it change state when the variable changes. Then have your next button only function if the state of the shape has changed.

Peatragay McKay

over 3 years ago12/15/20 at 2:10 pm (UTC)

Hello,

I have created a survey short course using story-line 360. I am using a free-form text entry the issue is that after taking the survey and writing my feedback the submit button does not work i cannot get the submit button to work.

over 3 years ago12/17/20 at 8:58 pm (UTC)

Hello Peatragay!

I see that you've worked with my teammate, Cleo, to troubleshoot this issue! Great call.

If anyone else runs into similar issues, don't hesitate to connect with a Support Engineer!

Joanna Evans

3 years ago01/26/21 at 11:50 am (UTC)

Are there any tutorials avaiable for using the freeform text entry slide please?

3 years ago01/29/21 at 4:20 pm (UTC)

Hi there, Joanna!

Here's a handy guide on how to create a freeform text-entry question:

Storyline 360: Text-Entry Questions

Let me know if any specific questions come to mind. I'm happy to help!

3 years ago03/08/21 at 10:28 am (UTC)

Tim's recommendation is the best solution for me in what I'm trying to do. I have a few slides with reflective text entry fields, and I just want to get them to participate in the activity by entering anything. I prefer this easy solution over converting them to free-form quiz slides. Thanks Tim!

Leslie McKerchie
Staff

3 years ago03/08/21 at 1:47 pm (UTC)

I'm glad that Tim's solution will help you as well, Sandy. I appreciate you popping in to share and welcome to E-Learning Heroes. 😊

Trace Symonds

over 2 years ago11/23/21 at 10:20 pm (UTC)

I did something a bit different. I had 6 text fields that I need content in and so I set it so that I have a trigger for each field, to accept the value when it loses focus.

I first hid the Next> Button completely.

Then I added a continue button that would only be active if all the text field values were not blank. The button forces the last text field to lose focus and then advances the slide.

My participants are taking 6 topics and putting the topics into an order that meets their teams' needs. So, all I needed was an agenda item (from a prescribed list) in the field. A drag/drop wouldn't work because those require a correct answer and whatever the participant puts on this slide IS the correct answer for them.

I then have figured out a way to generate an email to my participants with this agenda listed in the order that they typed it.

2021-11-23_15-20-18.png

Steven Haigh

almost 2 years ago05/17/22 at 6:49 pm (UTC)

I have a similar project where I want the user to type in the text field before submitting. I have set it up so there is a trigger showing text to say that you need to put an answer before submitting.

this works so if they don't type anything, the message is being shown, but now if they do type anything in the text field, it is making the user click the submit button TWICE before progressing.

Any idea why this is happening??

Andrea Koehntop
Staff

almost 2 years ago05/18/22 at 2:36 pm (UTC)

Hi Steven, I'm happy to help!

When creating your triggers, did you inadvertently set one up so that the submit button only goes through when the user double clicks? If so, when you change it to when the user clicks or swipes, does your issue disappear?

If that's not the case, feel free to share your .story file with us publicly here or privately in a case so we can investigate further. We will delete your file from our systems when troubleshooting is complete.

almost 2 years ago05/18/22 at 3:00 pm (UTC)

I have managed to fix it now. There was no reason for it. I just deleted the triggers and re-added them and it worked.

Thanks

Kind regards

Steven Haigh

Haigh eLearning | York,
North Yorkshire | Tel: 07702 578773 | Email:
info@haighelearning.co.uk | Website:
http://www.haighelearning.co.uk

Maria Costa-Stienstra
Staff

almost 2 years ago05/18/22 at 3:04 pm (UTC)

Hi, Steven.

I'm glad to hear you were able to get the issue solved!

I just wanted to add a quick note: it looks like your signature with contact information came through when you replied via email. You can remove it by clicking ‘Edit’ below your response. Here’s a quick Peek 360 video if you need help.