While you add text to your course, you can protect against loss of work if an internet connection loss or software error occurs. You can type in an offline simple text editor, such as Notepad or TextEdit, and then copy and paste your work into your course.
Or, before you submit or save, you can copy all of the text you want to add. Select the text and right-click to copy it. You can also use key combinations to copy and paste:
- Windows: Ctrl + A to select all the text, Ctrl + C to copy, and Ctrl + V to paste.
- Mac: Command + A to select all the text, Command + C to copy, and Command + V to paste.
Can I paste text from Microsoft® Word?
You'll have the best results if you type your text directly in the editor and format it with the available options.
You may see issues when you copy and paste text from a Word document directly into the editor. Your original formatting may not appear as you want. You also may not be able to remove or add formatting after you paste the text into the editor. To avoid the formatting issues, you can remove the formatting and reformat it with the options in the editor.
To remove the Word formatting after you paste the text in the editor, select all the text and select the Remove Formatting icon. Only use this option if you understand that all formatting will be removed. All bullets, numbered lists, indentations, line spacing, centered text, and font formatting and sizing will be removed.
Or, before you add your text in the editor, you can paste it into an offline simple text editor, such as Notepad or TextEdit, and clear the formatting. Then, you can paste the text into the editor and format it as you want.
Watch a video about using the editor
The following narrated video provides a visual and auditory representation of some of the information included on this page. For a detailed description of what is portrayed in the video, open the video on YouTube, navigate to More actions, and select Open transcript.
Video: Use the content editor explains how to use the new text editor.
Video: Use the Content Editor
Add text
The editor appears wherever you can format text, such as in assignments, tests, and discussions.
You can add bullet and numbered lists, and bold and italicized text. Use the Text style menu to add headings.
You can also launch the math editor to embed mathematical formulas in your text. The WIRIS editor opens in a new window.
To use your keyboard to jump to the editor toolbar, press ALT + F10. On a Mac, press Fn + ALT + F10. Use the arrow keys to select an option, such as a numbered list.
Depending on the version of Word or Outlook you're using, you can insert a variety of objects [such as PDF files, Excel charts or worksheets, or PowerPoint presentations] into a Word document or an email message by linking or embedding them. To insert an object, click Object on the Insert tab.
Insert a new object
To create a new file that is inserted into your Word document or email message:
In the Object dialog box, click the Create New tab, and then select an option from the Object type list.
The default program for that file type opens, where you can enter any text or data you want. When you close the program, any added content or changes appear in your Word document or email message.
If you want the new file to appear as a clickable icon, rather than the first page of your new file, select Display as icon. If this check box is selected, you can choose a different icon by clicking Change Icon.
Tips:
The information in the Result section changes based on the selected object type and whether Display as icon is selected. Use this information to help you determine what you want to insert and how you want it to appear.
To edit the information in your inserted object, double-click the object.
In Outlook, the Display as icon option is only available if you format your email as RTF [Format Text > Format > Message Format > Rich Text].
Link or embed an existing file
To link or embed an object that's already been created:
In the Object dialog box, select the Create from File tab, and then click Browse to find the file you want to insert.
To link to the source file, rather than embedding it into your Word document or email message, select Link to file.
If you want the inserted file to appear as a clickable icon, rather than the first page of the file, select Display as icon. If this check box is selected, you can choose a different icon by clicking Change Icon.
Tip: The information in the Result section changes based on whether Link to file and Display as icon are selected. Use this information to help you determine what you want to insert and how you want it to appear.
Embedded objects vs. linked objects
Embedded objects become part of the Word file or email message and, after they are inserted, they are no longer connected to any source file.
Linked objects can be updated if the source file is modified. Linked data is stored in the source file. The Word file or email message [the destination file] stores only the location of the source file, and it displays a representation of the linked data. Use linked objects if file size is a consideration.