Bullets *VENT*

@MNelson 50257 wrote:

They just export a simple ordered list and it's up to the browser to determine how to handle it.

What?! The exact problem is that they DO NOT export a list, they export a piece of terrible, terrible code that looks like this:

DIV

P

SPAN 1 /SPAN

SPAN nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; /SPAN

SPAN your text for item 1 /SPAN

/P

P

SPAN 2 /SPAN

SPAN nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; /SPAN

SPAN your text for item 2 /SPAN

/P

and so on

/DIV[/CODE]

This is absolutely not the proper HTML way to handle lists. Not even close.[CODE]DIV

P

SPAN 1 /SPAN

SPAN nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; /SPAN

SPAN your text for item 1 /SPAN

/P

P

SPAN 2 /SPAN

SPAN nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; /SPAN

SPAN your text for item 2 /SPAN

/P

and so on

/DIV[/CODE]

This is absolutely not the proper HTML way to handle lists. Not even close.

I just talked with Trivantis Support because the formatting of numbered steps and bullets is still a big problem in version 11. Their answer: it's the browser's fault. They just export a simple ordered list and it's up to the browser to determine how to handle it. When I asked what I should do to fix the problem, they said to modify the CSS. My response - the point of Lectora is to produce HTML courses without having to know how to code. In my opinion, if the numbered list/bullet button is so prominent on the Lectora interface, it should work as advertised. I've used several other software tools that handle it properly - why can't Lectora do the same? Inexcusable to let something so fundamental go unfixed for so long!

I have wasted lots of time trying to get bulleted lists looking right - often ending up with ubulleted text paired with graphic bullets - such a huge waste of time for something that should work out of the box.

Now I am working on a course we started in version X and have moved over to 11. At first I was thrilled to see that bullets had text that wrapped correctly so that eh second line of text lined up with the first when viewed in a browser! Of course, I had to go remove all the soft returns and spaces I had put in to make it lokk OK before...

After testing this in 4 browsers, I went on... now, it is broken again. Was there an auto update that broke it when my back was turned? Really? What is going on?

Mary

I seem to be running into the same type of issue, and wondering if anyone has had to deal with it. Instead of using bullets from Lectora, I am using a simple check mark image, and spent a lot of time lining them up with the point for an 80 page module. I just published it, and the images of the check marks are all over the place!! Not lined up at all where i put them. Would this be the same type of issue? Not sure how to fix this one other than doing it image by image (there is over 400) and would take me FOREVER!! Any suggestions for this problem??

Every time I have a list of bullets or bullet images, I create a table and put them into a table column, row with the text in the next column, row. I know this workaround was mentioned previously on this thread, but it does work very nicely. WYS-IS-WYG!

I know this is an old thread, but bullets are still ornery (at least in Lectora X) - I've been on a three year quest for a good way, and recently discovered that you can use a math object symbol to create bullets - round ones, squares, dashes, etc.

So far we are still using tables to control the hanging indent, but I found you can create a short cut for each type of bullet (alt + 1, alt + 2, alt + 3 etc. for the levels work nicely). The symbols come out pretty small, so you'll have to reformat the symbol to match your font size. I use a style for each bullet level, for example, 14 pt. bold verdana to match the 10 pt. body text. You can create a page layout so you don't have to it every time. The styles and layouts help with mass changes if you decide to use a different size, color, symbol shape, etc.

Not sure how this works with other special publishing criteria... but so far no problems.

@MNelson 50257 wrote:

I just talked with Trivantis Support because the formatting of numbered steps and bullets is still a big problem in version 11. Their answer: it's the browser's fault. They just export a simple ordered list and it's up to the browser to determine how to handle it. When I asked what I should do to fix the problem, they said to modify the CSS. My response - the point of Lectora is to produce HTML courses without having to know how to code. In my opinion, if the numbered list/bullet button is so prominent on the Lectora interface, it should work as advertised. I've used several other software tools that handle it properly - why can't Lectora do the same? Inexcusable to let something so fundamental go unfixed for so long!

I completely agree. In my dealings with Lectora support, I've found them to be lazy and useless. You cant blame it on browser error and expect users to fix it in CSS when it's the job of the software WE PAY FOR to handle that.

sirius6 - I am really sorry for your frustration, and will continue to work with you to try to resolve your issues. (See my other reply here: http://lectora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14715&p=52465&viewfull=1#post52465)

Please know that we are in the process of over-hauling our text engine and plan to address many of these issues and more in a future release. We cannot share our timetable or schedule for this at this time, but please stay tuned as we announce future product releases and updates.

It's not any better in version 16. I'm having problems with some small bullets and others large on the same page even after copying and pasting. I can't let this go out like this!

Fredia

The development team has been doing some extensive work over the past couple months to make the experience with bullets and numbered listed a lot smoother. I hate to be the person who says wait til the the next release but 16.1 is a promising start to improvements. I've seen it in action and as a previous customer I was very happy with the preview. Fingers crossed you love it to!

We have Lectora 2016 and this is STILL an issue!!! It's SO FRUSTRATING!

EVERY time I copy and paste text from elsewhere (word, powerpoint, notepad even) the final bullet point is ALWAYS larger than the rest!! What the hell people!? I've wasted SO much time trying so many variations to the point where i just delete it and type it manually!!

FIX IT, PLEEEEEAASSEEE!!!!!!!!!

Wonky non web standard coding/programming is at fault. I find this work around helps. Add an extra bullet, preview in browser, close preview, delete extra bullet. Preview again and the bullets should all be the same size.

Of course we shouldn't have to do this but so far it's worked for me. STOP READING here if you don't want to hear me venting.

I'd like to know why Lectora doesn't output the same standard HTML5 a good web designer/developer would code. Almost all the issues people have with this program are caused by the programmatic solutions Trivantis employs to do things that simple (and I mean SIMPLE) CSS would handle such as standard media queries. Why not handle responsive design with the most widely used HTML, CSS and JavaScript framework - Bootstrap; it's got 107,000+ stars and just under 50,000 forks on Github as of this morning. Take a look at BootStrap Studio if you want to see how a program can be used to make correctly coded responsive sites (although it's just as easy to code Bootstrap by hand from scratch).

Besides not having to grapple with runtime generated code, odd formatting issues like bullets, FOUC (flash of unstyled content), inline styling, etc., the most concerning part of the current published content is how it will hold up to the ever changing future of the web and browsers. Following web standard best practices is the best way to protect future compatibility. Compartmentalize CSS, JS and HTML. Do not use inline styling unless absolutely necessary, combine external JS to reduce HTTP requests as much as possible. Don't use weighted graphics where CSS can be employed. I can go on and on.

I know Trivantis is trying real hard to make it simple for non-web designers but at what cost? Another forum member, Jason, is trying to manipulate the MediaElement player for his needs and the fighting with the code that is required actually makes embedding a standalone version of the same MediaElement.js player Lectora employs easier to deal with. That's just plain silly.

I don't want to leave this on a bad note. I sound like I'm disgruntled, I'm not. Just a little selfishly disappointed. Lectora really is a good program for most elearning authoring needs and even with what I consider to be some down sides it's amazing to see what people with literally no web design experience can build.

Just looking through this post, and realised the original post was made in 2010, and doesn't seem to be fixed all these years later. I'm using Lectora Inspire 17.0.5 (the latest release) and still have wonky bullets/numbered lists.

I've started indenting bulleted lists to make them look how I want them to look (i.e. in edit mode they appear aligned to my heading, but in preview/output they have moved left), and so that reviewers don't think my work is wonky.

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We made some significant changes in Lectora 16.1 (or thereabouts) so that they better match in edit mode what you will see in the browser and we continue to improve the experience. Most recently, we made some significant changes in Lectora Online, and will look to migrate some of those to Lectora desktop as well. If you see something that you feel needs to be brought to our attention feel free to submit a support ticket with your file so we can review even further :)

Strangely, I have found that when I have a numbered list, I have indented the list because it would always end up appearing more to the left than it appears in edit mode.

Then, if I select the text box and click the Text Color button in the Home ribbon (just the big T as long as it is already set to the correct color), the text in the numbered list will realign itself. Not sure why this would happen..

In saying all of that, it does seem as though there have been some improvements in bulleted and numbered lists when I insert new lists in v2017.

One important thing to remember when working with rapid authoring tools like Lectora is, that they publish into HTML. Thus the browser your user uses to see the endresult defines how it will look. Using CSS and Javascript you can overrule some things and fix stuff, but then your working with CSS , JS and HTML(5) and thus not anymore with simple authoring in Lectora. A lot of options a user can have on his browser, so its always tough to get that optimal.

Wow. Eight years go by and this still isn't fixed.

I encounter this problem constantly with Lectora Desktop. I've just stopped trying to use bullets and numbers.

I've just stopped trying to do a lot of things with Lectora.

I'm sure Trivantis' recent purchase by a Vulture Capital company will help drive improvement though....

+1 to this issue, it is baffling that I spend so much of my development time in version 17.1 trying to make ordered/un-ordered lists where all the elements are a uniform size. Are there any improvements to the text engine in the current roadmap that will address this issue?

Quite a few text-based changes made it into 18 which will be out VERY soon. A lot of this thread was discussed in detail with development so I wouldn't be surprised if you see more and more being addressed.

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Later, I found the solution for this issue by doing few steps:

1. select the text box
2. Reduce the font size by 1 pt.
3. then go to edit or double click the text box
4. Now select the texts and increase the font size.

It is working fine for me.