Storyline 360: Working with Markers

Markers are a great way to reveal content only when learners need it. Learners can hover over markers or click them to view additional text and media.

• Adding Markers
• Changing Marker Icons
• Formatting Markers
• Resizing Markers
• Formatting Labels
• Resizing and Repositioning Labels
• Changing Label Fonts
• Adding Audio to Markers
• Making Audio-Only Markers
• Adding Pictures and Videos to Markers
• Changing Marker Animations
• Changing How Markers Behave
• Renaming Markers
• Setting the Default Appearance of Markers and Labels
• Deleting Markers
• Making Markers Accessible

Adding Markers

Here's how to add a marker:

1. Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon, click Marker, and choose an icon.
2. Click anywhere on the slide or layer to add the marker.
3. The marker will appear with a blank label where you can enter a title, description, and/or media.
   
   
4. When you're finished, click anywhere outside the label to collapse it. To edit the label later, click the marker to reveal its label again.

Changing Marker Icons

Storyline 360 has a vast library of icons. To change the icon for an existing marker, select the marker, go to the Format tab on the ribbon, click Change Icon, and choose a different symbol.

Formatting Markers

To change the styles, colors, and effects for a marker, select the marker, go to the Format tab on the ribbon, and use the marker formatting options.

Tips:

• The colors available on the Format tab come from your theme colors.
• The default marker color is controlled by Custom 1 in your theme colors.
• The default icon color is controlled by Text/Background—Light 1 in your theme colors.

Resizing Markers

There are two ways to resize a marker. You can drag its sizing handle or access the Size and Position properties to enter the width and height in pixels.

Formatting Labels

To change the styles, colors, and effects for a label, select the marker, go to the Format tab on the ribbon, and use the label formatting options.

To apply the same formatting to other labels on the same slide, click Apply to All.

Resizing and Repositioning Labels

To resize a label, drag any of its sizing handles.

To reposition a label, drag its outline to a new location. It'll move in a circle around the marker.

Changing Label Fonts

The fonts used for the label title and description default to your project's theme fonts.

To use a different font, you can use the font selector on the Home tab to modify an individual label, or customize your theme fonts to change all the labels in your course at the same time.

Adding Audio to Markers

You can import pre-recorded audio files, record narration right in Storyline 360, or add text-to-speech clips or sound effects. Select your marker, go to the Format tab on the ribbon, click Audio, and choose one of the audio options:

 

After adding audio, additional options on the Audio drop-down arrow will become available, including an audio editor, a volume adjuster, and more. To learn more about working with audio, visit Editing Audio and Using the Audio Tools.

To add closed captions to marker audio, right-click the marker and select Accessibility from the context menu. Visit this detailed user guide to learn all about working with closed captions.

Making Audio-Only Markers

If you don't want a label to display, you can make a marker audio only. Go to the Format tab on the ribbon and mark the Audio Only box.

When learners click the marker in your published course, they'll hear the audio, but they won't see a label.

The label will still display while you're working in Storyline 360, but it'll be hidden when you preview or publish.

Adding Pictures and Videos to Markers

You can add one image or video to each marker's label. Select your marker, go to the Format tab on the ribbon, click Media, and choose one of the following:

 

To edit a picture or video you've added to a label, visit these user guides:

• Formatting Pictures, Screenshots, and Characters
• Editing Videos
• Adjusting Video Properties

Changing Marker Animations

By default, markers have a pulse animation when you preview or publish, but you can change or even remove the animation.

Select the marker on the slide, go to the Format tab on the ribbon, and choose an animation style from the Animate drop-down arrow.

Changing How Markers Behave

Here's how markers and their labels behave by default:

 

You can change the default behavior described above so no clicking is required. You can make the entire label appear when you hover over the marker. Go to the Format tab on the ribbon and mark the box to Show All on Hover. (The label will also disappear automatically when you're no longer hovering over the marker.)

Renaming Markers

Storyline 360 gives each marker a default name: Marker 1, Marker 2, etc. We recommend giving them more intuitive names, so they're recognizable when adding triggers and creating freeform interactions.

One way to rename a marker is to right-click it, select Rename, enter a new name, and click OK.

Another way is to double-click the marker in the timeline to open it for editing, enter a new name, and press Enter on your keyboard.

Setting the Default Appearance of Markers and Labels

Here's a time-saving tip to make all your markers and labels look the same. Format your first marker the way you want it, then set it as the default. New markers in the same project will inherit the same characteristics.

To set a marker as the default marker style, right-click it and choose Set as Default Marker.

Deleting Markers

To delete a marker, select it on the slide or in the timeline, then click Delete on your keyboard.

Making Markers Accessible

Markers are fully keyboard-accessible by default so learners can activate them without using a mouse. Learn more. 

Here are a few ways to boost marker accessibility:

• Check that your markers and marker labels meet color contrast guidelines. You can use this web-based contrast checker or download this contrast checker tool to test the contrast ratio.
• Remove all marker animations.
• Set label titles and descriptions to at least a 12-point font to improve legibility.
• Add alt text to your markers to give learners information like brief placement details and their purpose. ​​View these best practices for writing good alt text.
• Set each marker's minimum target size at 44 pixels wide and 44 pixels high to achieve the highest level of WCAG conformance.