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Select default Text editor

At a glance

Choose and set your preferred Moodle text editor, and explore the tools available in ATTO and TinyMCE, including image insertion, equation editing, H5P embedding and accessibility features, to help you create and format unit content effectively.

Jump to these sections:

Accessing Text editor preferences
ATTO
TinyMCE

HTML or Text editors are used wherever text input may be required, you can also insert images or videos to provide interesting content or visual support for text or create more engaging web pages using the HTML code view or other layout options. There are three editors available in Moodle; the default is TinyMCE. You may set your own preference in your Preferences.

View visual style guidelines View

When you are introducing new ideas to your students, it is important to consider how they receive that information. The way you share content - from formatting, to signposting, to use of language - can impact how students process what you have shared. The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles provide guidance on structuring your learning content for students.

The following guidelines aim to assist Monash University staff in creating and editing content in Moodle text editors and will cover some specific tools you can use to make text in your unit more accessible. For more general guidelines on accessible content, see the inclusive teaching guide.

Expand the accordions to learn more

Layout (Text formatting)

Chunking text

The simplest way to differentiate your text is to make sure to separate the text into manageable sections by leaving a line between paragraphs to provide visual space on the page. You can also use different formatting options to differentiate the text, see examples below.

Formatting options	Description
Headers	Text editors allow you to change the size and emphasis of headings. Four levels of text are provided in the Moodle text editor: Heading Large Heading Medium Heading Small Paragraph. They can be used hierarchically to give structure to your content. It is recommended to use a combination of a main heading size, a sub heading size and body text. Headings are also recognised by screen readers, increasing accessibility.
Bold and italic text	Bold and italic text can be used separately or *together.* They can be used to indicate emphasis, highlight section headings, indicate key terms, and more. Italic text should be used sparingly, use bold text for preference.
Dot points and numbered lists	If information can be presented in a series of short statements, consider using a list. Dotted lists are suited for non-sequential statements, and numbered lists are for numerically ordered information.
Tables	Tables are ideal for conveying multiple relationships between information in a simple format.

Considerations for chunking text:

Headings can serve to indicate new ideas and sections.
Use text hierarchy and Moodle text and media area to break up chunks of text via subheadings.
Use the ‘squint test’ to see where a student’s attention will be drawn - and if you need to space things out more.
If students have to scroll through more than two or three screens of content, consider using a Moodle book to break the content into ‘chapters'.

Components for Learning

Components for Learning gives you a range of tools to introduce text boxes, highlights and other features to delineate key areas of your text. Use this tool to provide quick and consistent formatting for quotes, tips, key concepts, and more. Components for learning is only available in the TinyMCE editor.

For more information, see the Components for Learning guide.

Considerations for using Components for Learning:

Be consistent. Use the same components for the same purpose throughout your unit.

FontAwesome icons

The FontAwesome filter in Moodle allows you to add icons in text and media areas and is available in TinyMCE and ATTO. For more information, see Icons (below).

Considerations for using icons:

Pair icons with text to clarify meaning.
Be consistent - use the icons you have selected in the same manner throughout your unit.

For more information about text editors, see Selecting your default text editor.

Images
- Always include an image description (alt text) to accommodate individuals with low vision, ensuring that the description accurately portrays the content of the image.
- Source images from the Monash Brand image and illustration banks, otherwise you can use royalty and copyright-free images via Unsplash or Pixabay.
Video and other multimedia
- Include the duration or run time for audio-visual content.
- Embed video content using the Monash video application Panopto and ensure the closed captioning is enabled (closed captioning is enabled by default).
At the time of unit creation, your faculty Moodle admin can elect to include a custom banner - otherwise Moodle will randomly generate a generic banner. It is recommended that you use banners provided by the Monash Web Toolkit (Digital Asset Management) to elevate your unit design and align to our brand. Visit the Monash full-width banners resource to search or scroll through banner options.
If you wish to change your banner, please contact your faculty administrator.
You can use FontAwesome to insert code that shows up as an icon in the Moodle text editor. We have compiled a list of recommended FontAwesome icons that can be used in the higher education context.
Download FontAwesome icon guide
Best practice for icons
We encourage you to use icons to enhance student understanding of content. However be aware that misusing icons can lead to confusion and reduced readability. Please refer to the following principles to ensure that icons are effectively incorporated into your content.
Incorporate icons with accompanying text descriptions
Icons may not convey information as accurately as text, potentially leading to misunderstanding. Additionally, for students with vision impairments, icons can be unreadable. Therefore, we recommend adding text whenever you use an icon.
Reduce the use of icons when possible
When crafting a list, although items can share the same icon, its repetitive use may be burdensome for readers. Consider placing the icon in the list header instead, except when you require icons to differentiate between different types of list items.
Avoid misunderstanding when using multiple icons
When incorporating multiple icons in your content, ensure that the icons and text content are aligned. Avoid situations where one icon represents different meanings or the same meanings are represented by different icons.
Note about using icons in components
Some components already include embedded icons; we recommend refraining from adding additional icons to avoid confusion or redundancy.
For learning and teaching purposes, and to prevent potential misinterpretation, please use icons judiciously, as an excessive amount can be overwhelming. We advise against using emojis or clipart. However, this exclusion applies when communicating with students through informal methods, such as forum responses.

Text colours

Note

Always use the Accessibility Checker tool in the Moodle text editors to make sure your content is accessible according to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1.

Following these guidelines will make content more accessible to a wider range of people with disabilities, including accommodations for blindness and low vision, deafness and hearing loss, limited movement, speech disabilities, photosensitivity, and combinations of these, and some accommodation for learning disabilities and cognitive limitations; but will not address every user need for people with these disabilities.

These guidelines address accessibility of web content on desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices.

Accessing Text editor preferences

In the top right hand corner, click on the User profile icon and select Preferences.
Select Editor preferences under User Account
Select your preferred editor using the Text editor dropdown box. Be sure to save your changes before exiting.

See more details of the tools available for each text editor below.

ATTO

The ATTO text editor provides better usability and accessibility, equation editing (TeX equation editor), emojis and allows you to the embed interactive H5P content and quiz questions. Click on each plus icon to learn more about the function of each tool or read a text-based version below.

Note: The insert video icon does not support automatic captions. It is recommended that you embed videos using the Panopto icon for academic content.

Click here to read a text-based version

You can toggle the toolbar to show/hide tools by clicking on the Toolbar Toggle arrow. The expanded menu shows two rows of tools explained below (left to right).

Toolbar Toggle	You can use the toolbar toggle icon to show/hide tools.
Format text	Pre-formatted font and heading styles. You can apply pre-configured font and heading styles to paragraphs. The ATTO editor does not allow you to make changes to text colour and changes to text size except for use of heading styles. This is in part to enforce accessibility standards.
Embed Panopto video	You can use the Panopto icon to embed new videos or upload existing videos directly into Moodle. For example, you can embed videos using Panopto in labels, forums, pages, books and assignment feedback. You can even instruct students to use Panopto to submit video assignments. For more information, see Panopto.
List, indent and paragraph alignment	Lists: Create bulleted or numbered lists. Place your cursor where you want the lists to appear and click on the bulleted list or numbered list icon as required. Paragraph alignment. Select whether text is aligned right, centre or left. Indent and outdent text lines or paragraphs. When you click on the indent icon in a numbered or bulleted list, a new sublist is started. When a list is "outdented" into an existing list, the numbering is integrated.
Hyperlinks	Highlight the required text then click on the Insert/edit link icon and enter the URL. To unlink, highlight the linked text and click on the Unlink icon to remove the hyperlink.
Emoji picker	You can insert emojis with the emoji icon. From the Emoji picker window, you can select an emoji and insert it into your text. Filter emojis by theme with the tabs along the top row, or use the search bar. Once an emoji is selected, you will see a larger preview and the text description of the emoji.
Equations, special characters and tables	Insert a range of special characters. From left to right: Create or edit an equation with the Moodle equation editor. Note: To use this tool you need a Java-enabled browser. Download the latest Java plug-in from Java.com. Insert special non-standard characters including Greek letters Insert a table after selecting the number of rows and columns needed. Note: Some table formatting options in Moodle must be set for each cell, such as borders and content alignment.
Remove formatting	You can quickly remove any formatting that you have applied to the text by highlighting the text and clicking the remove formatting icon. The formatted text will revert to plain text.
Insert images, media	Insert a range of enriching resources to the content, from left to right: Insert/edit an image (png or gif). Note: When inserting an image the advanced options allow you to manage borders and how text is positioned relative to the image. Unless a high resolution is a critical requirement for your images, it is recommended that you use .gif, .jpg or .png format to reduce file size. A lower file size for images translates to a faster display for students. Insert/embed video or audio Record audio (as file sizes are limited, Panopto is recommended) Record video (as file sizes are limited, Panopto is recommended)
Undo/Redo	Undo or redo changes you have made in the text editor. The ATTO Text editor automatically saves entries every 60 seconds. Text typed into the Atto Text editor is automatically saved if you leave the page. If the user accidentally closes the tab or leaves the form without submitting, the text in the Atto Text editor will be restored next time the user opens the page. To discard a restored draft the user needs to Cancel the form or press the Undo button in the editor.
Insert files	Insert, upload of manage files.
Accessibility tools	Accessibility checker: Provides accessibility advice including recommendations and standard guidelines. Screenread helper: Displays the order in which a screen reader will scroll through the content.
Embed Interactive content	Interactive H5P content: You can embed H5P activities into Moodle with the H5P icon, for example a 'Test your understanding' quiz within a book or lesson, or an information accordion within a label. Embedded H5P activities from the content bank are not linked to the Moodle Gradebook. This is the recommended option for formative activities. For more information, see H5P. Embed quiz questions: You can embed quiz questions into Moodle with the Quiz question icon. Embedded quiz questions are not linked to the Moodle Gradebook. This is the recommended option for formative activities. For more information, see Embed quiz question.
HTML view	Switch to HTML code view by clicking on the HTML icon. A pop up of the HTML code will be displayed and you can edit tags or codes directly in this window.
Expand your editing window	Click and drag on the shaded corner to expand the size of the editing window Click on the toggle full screen icon to expand your editing window to full screen. To go back to the settings page, just click the same icon.

TinyMCE

TinyMCE provides more inbuilt text editing and table tools. The TinyMCE text editor does NOT autosave your work so always Save your work at the bottom of the screen before exiting. Click on each plus icon to learn more about the function of each tool or read a text-based version below.

Note: The insert video icon does not support automatic captions. It is recommended that you embed videos using the Panopto icon for academic content.

Click here to read a text-based version

Edit	The edit dropdown list allows you to do a range of basic editing functions including: Undo/redo Cut, copy and paste Select all Find and replace text
View	The view dropdown list allows you to view source code, show invisible characters and expand the text box to fullscreen.
Insert	The insert dropdown list displays additional items you can insert including code, special characters, emojis, page breaks, anchors, date/time and more.
Format	The format dropdown list displays additional formatting tools, including headings, paragraph styles and line height. Recommendations for formatting text: Headings can serve to indicate new ideas and sections. Use headings hierarchically to give structure to your content. Headings are also recognised by screen readers, increasing accessibility.
Tools	The tools dropdown list displays the following tools: Source code: Switch to HTML code view by clicking on the < > Source code icon. A pop up of the HTML code will be displayed and you can edit tags or codes directly in this window. Word count: Displays word count. Accessibility checker: Provides accessibility advice including recommendations and standard guidelines. Media manager
Table	Insert a table after selecting the number of rows and columns needed. Note: Some table formatting options in Moodle must be set for each cell, such as borders and content alignment.
Help	Click help to view useful information such as: Handy shortcuts Keyboard navigation Plugins currently installed Current version information
Undo/redo	Undo or redo changes you have made in the text editor.
Text formatting	Change the appearance of selected text within paragraphs with bold, italics and text colours. Select the text and click the icon to apply the format. Recommendations for formatting text: Bold and italic text can be used separately or *together.* They can be used to indicate emphasis, highlight section headings, indicate key terms, and more. Italic text should be used sparingly, use bold text for preference. Text colours should be used consistently, and never as a sole indicator of importance. Use Red for urgent issues and highly critical text. Use it very sparingly as students may find it confronting. Use Orange for reminders and warnings. In general it is seen as less urgent than red, so it can be used more freely. Use Green for positive feedback, confirmations, or progress markers. It is seen as a positive indicator.
Insert multimedia	Insert a range of enriching resources to the content, from left to right: Insert an image (png or gif).Note: When inserting an image the advanced options allow you to manage borders and how text is positioned relative to the image. Unless a high resolution is a critical requirement for your images, it is recommended that you use .gif, .jpg or .png format to reduce file size. A lower file size for images translates to a faster display for students. Insert/embed video or audio.
Create hyperlinks	Hyperlink text or images. From left to right: Linking text or images. Highlight the required text then click on the Insert/edit link icon and enter the URL. Unlink text or images. Highlight the linked text, and click on the Unlink icon to remove the hyperlink.
Paragraph alignment	Select whether text is aligned right, centre or left.
List and indent	Create bulleted or numbered lists. Place your cursor where you want the lists to appear and click on the bulleted list or numbered list icon as required. Indent and outdent text lines or paragraphs. When you click on the indent icon in a numbered or bulleted list, a new sublist is started. When a list is "outdented" into an existing list, the numbering is integrated.
Equation editor	Create or edit an equation with the Moodle equation editor. Note: To use this tool you need a Java-enabled browser. Download the latest Java plug-in from Java.com.

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Learning and Teaching: Teach HQ

Learning and Teaching: Teach HQ

Select default Text editor

At a glance

View visual style guidelines View

Expand the accordions to learn more

Chunking text

Considerations for chunking text:

Components for Learning

Considerations for using Components for Learning:

FontAwesome icons

Considerations for using icons:

Images

Video and other multimedia

Best practice for icons

Incorporate icons with accompanying text descriptions

Reduce the use of icons when possible

Avoid misunderstanding when using multiple icons

Note about using icons in components

Considerations for using text colours:

Note

Accessing Text editor preferences

ATTO

TinyMCE

Your feedback matters

	Use Red for urgent issues and highly critical text. Use it very sparingly as students may find it confronting.
	Use Orange for reminders and warnings. In general it is seen as less urgent than red, so it can be used more freely.
	Use Green for positive feedback, confirmations, or progress markers. It is seen as a positive indicator.