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Navigating the Toolbar & Content Window

This guide will give you an overview of the different menu items and how to style your content or insert special elements and media items.

If you are copying content directly from an email or web page, to avoid errors it is recommended to clean the text. If you are copying pre-formatted content, such as from a Microsoft Word document, some formatting may be copied across from your document however it is still recommended to be cleaned first.

The easiest way to clean your content, is to paste the content into Notepad, and from Notepad into the Article Content box.

For Mac users, you are able to use TextEdit for this.

If you have cleaned your content you can then begin to format your content using the toolbar included within the Schoolzine Control Centre.

PLEASE NOTE: When viewed in different areas, not all features of the toolbar will be available.

Please click on the relevant tab below for more information:

Edit Menu

Through this tab, you’ll be able to Undo (Ctrl+Z) and Redo changes (Ctrl+Y), Select All (Ctrl+A), and Find and replace text (Ctrl+F).

You will be able to access options such as Cut, Copy & Paste via the common keyboard shortcuts:

  1. Cut (Ctrl+X) or (CMD+X for Mac)
  2. Copy (Ctrl+C) or (CMD+C for Mac)
  3. Paste (Ctrl+V) or (CMD + V for Mac)

Insert Menu

Screenshot 2024-10-30 094133

Images

After selecting the Images option, you will either be able to Select From System to choose an existing image from the system, or Upload New to add a new image from your files.

Please note: It is Important that you have reSZized images prior to uploading them into the Schoolzine System.

Select From System

  1. Select the browse button to the right of the Source box.
  2. Click the image you wish to add or use the search bar to filter.
  3. You can alter the image size by changing the values in the ‘Dimensions’
    Note: To maintain good image quality, we recommend that you don’t upscale your images.
  4. For images that have a white or transparent background we advise the use of no styling. Simply change the Image Style to No Styling.
  5. Click Ok to add the image to the article.

Upload New

  1. Select the Choose File icon on right of the Source box.
  2. Navigate to where the file is saved on your computer.
  3. Double click the file or click Open to add it to the article.

Click on the video below for a run through of this process:

Gallery

After selecting the Gallery option, you will either be able to search and then Insert to choose an existing gallery folder from the system, or Create New to add a new gallery from your files.

Please note: It is Important that you have reSZized images prior to uploading them into the Schoolzine System.

Select From System

If your gallery has already been uploaded into the Media Downloads section of your Control Centre then you will be able to use this popup to browse for the folder.

  1. Select the browse button to the right of the Gallery Id box. Please note: There are only two file types that you'll be able to use: JPGs and PNGs.
  2. Use the drop down box to select the folder.
  3. Click Select.
  4. Click Insert to add the gallery to your article.

Create New

If you have not yet uploaded the gallery, you can do so now by selecting the Create New button.

  1. Add the Folder Name.
  2. Drag and Drop your files into the drag and drop box.
    As an alternative, you can also browse for the files by clicking Choose Files, navigating to where the files are saved on your computer, highlighting all images within the folder, and clicking Open.
    Note: you can repeat this process as many times as necessary.
  3. When all file names are displaying, click the Create Gallery
  4. Once the gallery has finished uploading, the system will supply you with an Id. Click Insert to add it to the article.

Video

After selecting the Video option, you will either be able to use the prompt window to insert a Youtube/Vimeo video, or pick the Embed Code tab to insert content from another source.

Screenshot 2024-10-30 095159

Youtube/Vimeo

The following steps can be used to insert a Youtube or Vimeo video:

  1. Copy the video URL (web address) or ID from the source of Youtube or Vimeo and place it into the Video URL or Id section.
  2. Adjust the size of the video if you would like the video to appear smaller (550 can be left as the default size for most content).
  3. You can adjust any of the the other options in the content window if required, or just leave them as default, and then select OK to insert the video into your content.

Embed Code

If you have been given an embed code for a video, such as a WISTIA video, this can be added into the content area through the Embed Code tab, and then selecting the OK button. It is also recommended if you are able to customise the sizing of your content that it matches around the 550px width in order to maintain correct size and ratios for your Schoolzine Content.

NOTE: Some videos that are embedded from other sources such as Facebook or Panopto, will not render correctly in your PDF print version so may need to be hidden from your content. For more information on hiding elements of content from your print version, see the PDF Formatting Options section of this Knowledge Base Article.

For an overview of inserting a video, see the video below:

PDF Flyer

This option is used to add a PDF file to your newsletter.

  1. Select your file by using the Upload or Search buttons.
  2. Create the title for the button.
    EG: ‘Click here to download the Canteen Menu’
  3. If you are wanting the pdf to be embedded in your newsletter, make sure the Show Flyer checkbox is ticked.
  4. If you are wanting to hide the URL (web address) of the file, make sure the Show Download Link checkbox is unticked.

For a video guide on this process see below:

Link Button

Screenshot_2024_10_30_112400.png

This option is used to create an interactive button within your content to link to website pages, or download files.

  1. Place your URL (web address) link in the URL field.
    Please note: You can use this option to also link through to a PDF by using the upload or search buttons to the right of the window.
  2. Select a Name for the button.
    NOTE: We always recommend having a call to action for buttons, EG: ‘Click here to view the School Website’
  3. If you would like to not display the URL (web address), make sure the Hide URL checkbox is checked.
  4. You can select an icon for your button that will be displayed on the right hand side via the Icon drop down box.

Special Elements

Special elements can be inserted into your content to either draw emphasis to certain elements of content, or can also be used to make certain minor formatting adjustments for the printable PDF version of your DIY eNewsletters.

Border Box

A Border Box is used to create a coloured border around your content.

We suggest using these sparingly to draw attention to certain elements of your content you want your viewers to see.

Colour Box

A Color Box is used to create colour filled box around your content.

We suggest using these sparingly to draw attention to certain elements of your content you want your viewers to see.

Line Break

A Line Break is used to create a divider line between content.

PDF Formatting Options

There are a few different ways you can format the printed view of your Newsletter. The options available are outlined below:

PDF Break
PDF Break is used to move all content underneath the Element to the next Column.

PDF Hide
PDF Hide is used to hide a piece of content from the Print view of the newsletter.

PDF Only
PDF Only is used to show a piece of content only in the Print view of the newsletter.

Clear

This option is used to stop content such as floated images or buttons from effecting the content beneath them. They can be placed directly below content to avoid any overlap.

  1. Select the blank line where you would like to insert the clear.
  2. Select Clear and you will see the content becomes spaced out by a red styled rectangle in the content. This will indicate where the content will be pushed down for you.
Insert_Clear

Table Menu

You can add a table to your content by using the Table menu option. Tables are a great way to space out and organise your content (rather than using the 'Tab' key). Please note: it's not recommended to copy and paste tables from somewhere straight into your articles.

  • Select Table from the drop down menu and select how many columns and rows you would like to include. Click with your mouse to add the desired table to your content.
  • Once you have inserted your table, you are able to apply to begin adding in your content. You can also add a colour to either your entire table or specific cells. Simply just select the cell or entire table and navigate to Cell or Table colour.
  • The Style classes option allows you to do things such as remove the table borders and padding.

When you click on your table, a little toolbar pops up which allows you to quickly make changes to your table. E.g. Adding in an additional rows and columns.

table toolbar.JPG

Adjusting Column and Row Widths

You are able to adjust the size of your columns and rows by using Table Properties within Table from the drop down menu.

You are then able to apply the appropriate Width and Height to your table. You can also alter the Cell spacing and padding here.

Applying Table or Cell Background

Simply have your cursor placed within one of the cells, navigate to Table in the menu and then Table colour. Once you have clicked on your chosen colour, it should be applied to your table.

Merging Cells

If you would like to merge multiple cells together:

  1. Select the cells you would like to merge.
  2. Select Cell under the Table Menu option.
  3. Select Merge Cells.

Alternative Table Options

  • If the table you are wanting to create is quite complex and is hard to recreate within your Schoolzine account. We recommend creating the table in a word document, saving it as a PDF and inserting it as a 'PDF Flyer'.
  • The table can also be included as a jpeg or PNG. Once the table has been created in word, take a screenshot using snipping tool and then insert it as an 'Image'. See below image:
table 2

Tools Menu

Spellcheck

By selecting this Tool you will turn on spellcheck for your content, allowing the Schoolzine System to show any spelling errors that may be found within your content.

Paste as Text

If you have copied content that has both text and images, if you have this Tool active it will only paste the text based content.

Show Blocks

Show Blocks will be used to show your content in blocks of formatting such as Headings and Paragraph styles, and can also be used to track down content that is carrying unwanted styles.

Link Icon - from the toolbar

You can use this option to hyperlink text within your content.

Link to Document

If you are wishing to link your text to a PDF file you will be able to use this option.

  1. Place your URL (web address) link in the URL field.
    Please note: You can use this option to also link through to a PDF by using the upload or search buttons.
  2. Place the text that you are going to link the document to in the Text to display. 
    EG: ‘Click here to download the Canteen Menu’
  3. Select how the link will be opened, either in the Same Window or in a New Window.
  4. Applied Classes: This is an optional field to allow extra styling to be applied to the text. You will be able to leave this.
Link_to_document.png

Link to URL (web address)

If you are wishing to link your text to a URL (web address) you will be able to use this option.

  1. Place the web address in the URL Field.
  2. Place the text you are wanting to hyperlink in the ‘Text to display’
    EG: ‘Click here to view the School’s Website’
  3. Select how the link will be opened, either in the Same Window or in a New Window.
  4. Applied Classes: This is an optional field to allow extra styling to be applied to the text. You will be able to leave this blank.
Link_to_URL.png

Link to Form

If you are wanting to link a Webform that has been created in the Control Centre, you will be able to use this option.

  1. Select the Web Form you are wanting to use by pressing the button on the right of the Form URL.
    If you have the URL (web address) for the webform already, you will be able to place it directly into the Form URL field
  2. Place the text you are wanting to link the Web Form to in the ‘Text to display’ field.
    EG: ‘Click here to complete the Camp Permission form’
  3. Select how the link will be opened, either in the Same Window or in a New Window.
  4. Applied Classes: This is an optional field to allow extra styling to be applied to the text. You will be able to leave this blank.
Link_to_form.png

Link to Email

  1. Populate the ‘Email’ field with an email address.
  2. Place the text you are wanting hyperlink in the ‘Text to display’ field.
  3. Applied Classes: This is an optional field to allow extra styling to be applied to the text. You will be able to leave this blank.
Link_to_email.png

Please note: If you have an email within your content, placing your cursor at the end of the email and pressing the Space Bar will automatically link the text to the email.

Format Menu - from the toolbar

By default the formatting menu will display with the words Paragraph as this is the default style for your content.

Format_paragraph_styles.png

Content Formatting

  • Paragraph Style
    • This Style is the default style applied to the content of your article. Any thing that is not made into a heading should be tagged as ‘Paragraph’ Style. This will be selected by default.
  • Heading 1 - used to indicate any main headings. The Title of your article/event will be styled using this style.
  • Heading 2 - used for sub headings within your content. This is the most common heading style used while building newsletter content.
  • Heading 3 - used for a sub-sub heading, to be used under a Heading 2.
  • Heading 4 - used for even more headings segregation, however is very simmilar to Heading 3.

Please note that you will not need to apply colours to your headings, and this will be automatically added based on your account colours.

Text Based Formatting

Format_text_styles.png

These options allow you to change the styling applied to your text. From left to right these options are:

  • Font Size - increase or decrease the size of the font within your newsletter.
  • Text Colour - change the colour of your font.
  • Bold, Italic, & Underline - This will apply the relevant styles as it would in your word processing program.  
  • Strikethrough - This option will apply a Strikethrough to your content.
  • Clear Formatting - This option will clear any formatting selected. This is used to remove unwanted styling.
  • Alignment - adjust the alignment of your content. The options available are Left, Centre, Right and Justified

It is important to note that the Alignment options are not limited to text based content. They can also be used to adjust the alignment of images to create floated images.

Format_lists.pngLists

    • The left option is used to create a Bulleted list.
    • The right option is used to create a Numbered list.

Wildcard Menu

The Wildcard menu will automatically and quickly populate with details from other areas of your account. If using wildcards, then you update in these other locations, this will automatically update system wide. This is commonly used for populating items like phone numbers, addresses, or even Principal’s names.

Depending on the location in your account, the Wildcard menu will be separated into different sections; Contacts, Campaign, Date, Settings and Account.

When inserting a Wildcard to your content this will show as a value such as %%__ VALUE HERE __%% and will render upon previewing or sending a test email (if placed into an EDM).

It is important to note that certain wildcards will only work in certain sections. For example, the ‘Contact First Name’ will only be populated if you are sending EDM’s and will not populate correctly if someone is viewing an Article.