WYSIWYG tip: line breaks in the Answer screen

On May 18 we introduced WYSIWYG formatting to the answer screen in the QuestionPoint Ask module.  However, two issues quickly surfaced:

(1) when composing a message in the Answer screen, the WYSIWYG editor creates a paragraph break (basically a double space) rather than a line break (basically, a single space) when you use the carriage return, and 

(2) for scripted messages where spacing is used to create line breaks (without using HTML tags), the line break is not recognized.  This means that a signature that looks fine in your scripted messages now  looks like this when inserted into the Answer screen:

Steve Smith 24/7 Library Anywhere USA

We are working on fixing these two issues in the code (the install is planned tentatively for 2 AM ET on June 12).

After the install (stay tuned for confirmation of the date and time):

• A single carriage return will create a single space, not a double space, and
• For the scripted messages, we are altering the WYSIWYG editor to treat existing carriage returns from imported scripts as a line break.  In the meantime, if you would like formatting in your scripted messages, you can edit your scripts to use HTML coding, as follows:

Steve Smith<br>24/7 Library<br>Anywhere USA<br>

Note: If you leave the existing carriage return in and add the <br> HTML code, you will have double-spacing because the fix will retroactively correct the line breaks.

We’ll have further details once we the install date and time is set, but feel free to post any tips that you have used to improve the WYSIWYG experience to the blog.

Comments

[Erin Callahan]

Thanks for this update!

[Susan McGlamery]

As a workaround for creating a single-space line break in the Answer screen (until the next install): instead of pressing Enter, hold down the shift key when you press Enter. Thanks to Nancy Huling (University of Washington) and Wren Spangler (QP Back-up librarian) for sending in this tip!

[Kelli Herm]

I've noticed that when I add a script that contains a url when replying to a follow up question, the url no longer automatically hyperlinks. In the past we had to put brackets around the url to make it hyperlink but that no longer works with the WYSIWYG editor. I tried to go back to my scripts under settings but because the WYSIWYG editor is not installed in the scripts section yet there is really no way to make the url a hyperlink anymore, that I can see (unless you go in and manually change your script when answering a follow up question). Is there any work around for this? (hope this makes sense!)

Thank you,

Kelli Herm

[Carol Bonnefil, QP Product Analyst]

You can create hyperlinks after you add the scripted message into the editor. Here are the steps:
1. Select, highlight and click Control+C of the entire URL you want to link;
2. Click on the link image (the last one) in the WYSIWYG ribbon;
3. Click control+V to paste the URL into the URL box;
4. Add a title to the link if desired.
5. Choose "New window" from the target dropdown.
6. Click "Save".