Storyline 3: Shortcut-Key Questions

Freeform shortcut-key questions let learners answer by pressing a key or combination of keys on their keyboard. Use shortcut-key questions for software training, teaching children the alphabet, adding game elements to your course, and more.

1. Insert a Freeform Shortcut-Key Question
2. Define the Correct Key or Combination of Keys
3. Customize the Question Properties

Step 1: Insert a Freeform Shortcut-Key Question

There are two ways to create a shortcut-key question. If you've already added objects to an existing slide, you can convert it to a freeform question. If you'd prefer to start from scratch, do this:

1. First, do any of the following:
   • Go to the Home tab on the ribbon, click New Slide, and choose Freeform Question.
   • Go to the Slides tab on the ribbon and click Freeform Question.
   • In Story View, right-click anywhere in the workspace, scroll to New Slide, and choose Freeform Question.
   • In Slide View or Form View, right-click anywhere in the Scenes panel, scroll to New Slide, and choose Freeform Question.
2. When the Insert Slide window appears, select the Shortcut Key question type and click Insert Slide to add it to your project.
3. A new shortcut-key question will open in Slide View. Design the slide the way you want it to look, and be sure to add instructions so learners know how to respond.
4. Then, switch to Form View and proceed to the next step to define the shortcut key(s).

Step 2: Define the Correct Key or Combination of Keys

In Form View, place your cursor in the key field, then press the key or combination of keys for the correct response.

Be sure to test shortcut-key questions in your published output. If your key combinations are common shortcuts in web browsers (Alt+D, Ctrl+T, etc.), learners may experience unexpected behavior.

Step 3: Customize the Question Properties

After creating a freeform shortcut-key question, you can customize several of its attributes, including feedback, branching, score, number of attempts, and whether learners are required to answer it or allowed to skip it. To learn how, see Working with the Question Editor.

Can I Convert a Freeform Question into a Non-Question Slide?

Yes. It's easy. Just go to the Insert tab on the Storyline ribbon and click Remove Freeform.

When you remove freeform functionality from a question, it becomes a standard content slide. Text and other objects remain intact. Only question-related properties, such as score and feedback, are removed.