Using the Editor
Navigate the Course Builder editor to create your courses
Overview
The editor is where you build your course content. It has three main panels:
- Left: Page list
- Centre: Canvas (preview/edit area)
- Right: Inspector (properties panel)
Understanding these panels helps you work efficiently.
Editor Layout
Top Bar
The top bar contains global actions:
| Element | Function |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Shows current project (click to edit) |
| Save Status | Shows "Saved" or "Saving..." |
| Save Button | Manual save (Ctrl/Cmd + S) |
| Preview | Open course in preview mode |
| Export | Generate SCORM package |
| Settings | Project-level settings |
Save Indicator
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Saved | All changes saved |
| Saving... | Currently saving |
| Unsaved changes | Changes pending |
| Last saved: [time] | When last saved |
Left Panel: Page List
The page list shows your course structure.
What You See
- Ordered list of all pages
- Page titles
- Page type icons
- Current page highlighted
- Add page button
Page Icons
| Icon | Page Type |
|---|---|
| 📄 | Content page |
| 🎬 | Video page |
| ❓ | Quiz question |
| 🏆 | Results page |
| 👋 | Welcome page |
Page List Actions
| Action | How To |
|---|---|
| Select page | Click on it |
| Reorder | Drag and drop |
| Add page | Click + button |
| Delete page | Click trash icon |
Tip
Centre: Canvas
The canvas is your main editing area.
What It Shows
- Current page preview
- All blocks on the page
- Visual representation of layout
- Editable content
Working with the Canvas
| Action | How To |
|---|---|
| View page | Select in page list |
| Select block | Click on it |
| Edit text | Double-click text block |
| Move block | Drag selected block |
| Delete block | Select + Delete key |
Canvas Toolbar
| Button | Function |
|---|---|
| Add Block | Insert new content block |
| Undo | Reverse last action |
| Redo | Restore undone action |
| Zoom | Adjust canvas size |
Right Panel: Inspector
The inspector shows properties for the selected item.
When Nothing Selected
Shows page-level options: page title, page type, layout options.
When Block Selected
Shows block-specific options: block type settings, content properties, styling options.
Inspector for Different Blocks
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl/Cmd + S | Save |
| Ctrl/Cmd + Z | Undo |
| Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Z | Redo |
| Delete / Backspace | Delete selected |
| Escape | Deselect / Close |
| Tab | Next field in Inspector |
| Arrow keys | Navigate page list |
Autosave
The editor automatically saves your work:
- Checks for changes every 60 seconds
- If changes exist, saves automatically
- Shows "Saved" indicator when complete
- Never lose more than 1 minute of work
Tip
Editing Lock
Only one person can edit at a time.
How It Works
- When you open a project, it's locked to you
- Others see "Locked by [Your Name]"
- They can view but not edit
- Lock releases when you close editor
Lock Release
Locks release when:
- You close the editor
- You navigate away
- After 15-30 minutes of inactivity
- Browser crashes (auto-release)
Best Practices
Efficient Editing
| Tip | Why |
|---|---|
| Work through pages in order | Logical flow |
| Complete one page before moving on | Less context switching |
| Use keyboard shortcuts | Faster editing |
| Preview frequently | Catch issues early |
Avoiding Issues
| Tip | Why |
|---|---|
| Save before exporting | Ensure latest version |
| Don't close during save | Prevent data loss |
| Preview before publishing | Quality check |
Troubleshooting
Canvas won't load
Refresh the page, check internet connection, or clear browser cache.
Can't select blocks
Make sure you clicked on the block, check if block is in a group, try zooming in.
Inspector not showing
Ensure something is selected, check if panel is collapsed, try resizing the panel.
Changes not saving
Check internet connection, look for error messages, try manual save.
Next Steps
Now that you understand the editor:
- Adding Pages - Create course structure
- Adding Content Blocks - Add text, images, video
- Building Quizzes - Create assessments