Using the WYSIWYG Editor

One of the strongest features of the Messagepac™ system is that freeform text is entered using a WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) style of editor. In essence, if you can use a simple word-processor you will be able to use the content editor with ease.

The WYSIWYG editor has functions that are equivalent to those provided by a modern word processor, such as the capability to embolden text or to apply bullet points. This section addresses functions that have a specific difference from that standard capability.

Adding Links
The internet is a web of information. Adding links to other documents within your own, often on different websites, is standard practice.

The WYSIWYG editor uses a button to access the function:

The button creates a pop-up window that allows you to enter the details of the web-link:

The URL: field holds the address of the web-page that you wish to make the link point to and should contain the entire address that you would normally find in your browser address bar. Eg. http://news.bbc.co.uk

The Target: field is a drop down list that specifies whether you wish the link to be displayed so as to replace the current page (same frame option) or to open up a new window (new empty window).

The Title: field should hold a description of the web page that you are linking to. In modern web-browsers this information will be displayed as a tool tip as the mouse is placed over the link.

In order to use this function enter text in your editor, highlight the text that you would like to form the link from and press the link button. When you return from the pop-up window the link will be created.

Adding Graphics
Graphics can create an engaging visual experience for your audience, and where used appropriately will add significant impact to your information. The WYSIWYG editor allows you to make use of graphics by dropping them into your text and resizing them as you desire. The same function will also allow you to upload images to your web server specifically to be included in your web-pages.

Please note that graphic files especially from digital cameras can be very large and take a significant time to “download” with a web-page. This can be the cause of people leaving your website in frustration, so always prepare your graphic images with a graphics package before posting to your website by resizing and optimising them for the web.

Adding graphics makes use of a button that creates a pop-up window:

The Library organises the graphics that are available already on your website, each content group has its own library and there is a general site use library too. Selecting from the list with your mouse a pre-existing image allows you to see a preview of the image in the right hand pane. When you have found the image that you wish to use then use the Select button to place the image in your document.

The Delete button will remove the graphic from your library and should be used with great care as it may create broken links on your site.

To upload an image the lower pane of the pop-up window has a Browse… button. The button opens a file browser on your local machine from which you may choose your image.

The file name is copied into the Upload Image: field and the Upload button copies the image into your library. The image is then available for use in your document.

Once your image has been placed in the editor window it is advisable to adjust its properties using the Image Properties button:

This button creates a further pop-up window that allows you to modify the image properties.

Use the Alternative text: field to enter text that describes the picture. This is very important from the perspective of compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act as it provides a text based representation of the image that can be used by screen readers for visually impaired users.

The Align: field positions the graphic in the window whilst the Border: field holds a numeric value for the thickness of a border around the image.

Width and Height of the image may be modified by dragging the corners of the image or set more accurately to scale the image correctly using the Width and Height fields.

Changing Colours
You can change the foreground and background colours of text:

and tables:

This allows for ceative design styles and for emphasis. This makes use of the Colour Picker pop-up window.
Once presented with the Colour Picker select your choice from the range of options and click OK. If you have a specific colour code to use you may enter that in the text box instead.

Cleaning Up Pasted Text

You may choose to cut and paste text from other sources such as MS Word Documents. When you perform this operation the paste carries with it some formatting information that may need to be reset. It is strongly recommended that Clean Up Button be used after you have pasted your information into the editor window. This removes formatting from your editor window so it is best to first paste all of your content and subsequently apply your format afterwards to avoid losing any of your changes.

The cleanup button is available as:

You will be prompted to check whether you wish to remove all formatting before performing its operation.

**Additional note: to keep your text totally clean from proprietory formatting tags paste your text into notepad (PC) or TextEdit (Mac) first and then copy it and paste it into the editor.

Article Date: 28th July 2006

Using the WYSIWYG Editor

One of the strongest features of the Messagepac™ system is that freeform text is entered using a WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) style of editor. In essence, if you can use a simple word-processor you will be able to use the content editor with ease.

Printed from http://www.digitalforest.co.uk/ © Copyright Digital Forest Interactive Solutions