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Storyline 3: Working with Markers

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

Adding Markers

  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, just click the marker to reveal its label again.

Changing Marker Icons

Articulate Storyline has a vast library of icons. If you want 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.

Here are some tips for working with marker colors:

  • 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.

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

If the default size and location of a marker’s label doesn’t fit your slide content, you can change it.

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.

If you want 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 or record narration right in Storyline. Just select your marker, go to the Format tab on the ribbon, click Audio, and choose one of the audio options:

Audio from File

Use this option to import an audio clip you've recorded elsewhere.

Record Mic

Use this option to record narration directly in the marker.

Options

This is where you change your audio playback device and recording devices. You can also modify the recording volume level.

 

After adding audio, additional options on the Audio drop-down will become available, including an audio editor, a volume adjuster, and more. To learn more about working with audio, see 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. See this detailed user guide to learn all about working with closed captions.

Making Audio-Only Markers

If you don't want a label to show at all, you can make a marker audio only. Just 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, 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. Just select your marker, go to the Format tab on the ribbon, click Media, and choose one of the following:

Picture from File

Use this option to insert an image that's currently stored on your computer.

Video from File

Use this option to insert a video that's currently stored on your computer.

Video from Website

Use this option to insert a video that's hosted on a website, such as YouTube or Vimeo.

Record Webcam

Use this option to record a video with your webcam.

Delete Media

Use this option to delete a picture or video you previously added. If you haven't added any media yet, it'll be grayed out.

 

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

Changing Marker Animations

By default, markers will have a swirl 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.

Changing How Markers Behave

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

Hover

When you hover over a marker, only the title of the label will appear. It'll automatically disappear when you're no longer hovering over the marker.

Click

When you click a marker, the entire label will appear. It'll disappear when you click the marker again or when you click anywhere outside the label.

 

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. Just 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 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.

Published 8 years ago
Version 1.0
storyline 360
Tutorial
User Guide