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Articulate Storyline 360: The Essentials & Beyond (2026 Edition)

You’ve been tasked with building eLearning that actually works—but knowing where to start (or how to level up) isn’t always clear.

This hands-on guide to Articulate® Storyline® 360 gives you a clear, proven path. Developed by veteran trainers and experienced eLearning developers, it walks you step-by-step through the skills you need to create polished, interactive courses—without the guesswork.

With more than 100 hands-on activities, challenge exercises, and downloadable project files, you won’t just read—you’ll build. In just a few days, you’ll go from uncertain to confident, creating real-world eLearning that looks great and delivers results.

Bring your curiosity. Use the Storyline trial if needed. Open the book—and start building.

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Overview

Articulate® Storyline® 360: The Essentials & Beyond [2026 Edition]

A Hands-On, Project-Based Classroom in a Book for Building Engaging eLearning

Learn how to create interactive eLearning with Articulate Storyline 360® using a hands-on, project-based classroom in a book.

This fully updated 2026 Edition walks you through the features and workflows you need to build professional courses from the ground up. With more than 100 guided activities, Confidence Checks, and hundreds of detailed screenshots optimized for black-and-white printing, you will learn by doing—not just by reading.

In this book, you will learn how to:

Build complete eLearning projects from the ground up
Design slides, scenes, and polished layouts
Add images, characters, animations, audio, and video
Create interactivity with buttons, triggers, hotspots, and text entry fields
Use variables and conditional logic to personalize the learner experience
Leverage built-in AI features to accelerate development and generate ideas
Record and edit software simulations and demonstrations
Add quizzes to measure learner performance
Develop immersive VR learning experiences
Ensure accessibility using Section 508 best practices and the Accessibility Checker
Publish content for the web, Review 360, Word handouts, and SCORM-compliant learning management systems

You will create slides, scenes, interactions, quizzes, software simulations, and accessible learning experiences. You will also explore AI-powered features, the Accessibility Checker, variables, triggers, conditional logic, VR projects, and publishing for the web, Review 360, and SCORM-compliant learning management systems.

Whether you are brand new to Storyline or ready to expand your skills, this book gives you the structure, practice, and confidence to start building right away. And if you do not yet own the software, you can get started using the free trial of Articulate 360®.

Create complex motion paths.

Enhance the learner experience by recording, importing, and editing audio.

Gauge the effectiveness of your eLearning by adding quizzes.

Learn how to create accessible eLearning by adding accessibility text, closed captions, and keyboard shortcuts.

Create immersive Virtual Reality eLearning.

Articulate Storyline: 360 degree images

Publish Storyline projects for the web, Review 360, output Word handouts, and create SCORM-compliant content packages appropriate for use in any Learning Management System.

Learn to record and edit incredible software simulations and software demonstrations.

Recording the Screen with Storyline

There are even lessons on Action Fine Tuning.

See the Content tab for module-by-module details.

Note: ARTICULATE and STORYLINE are registered trademarks of Articulate Global, LLC in the United States and elsewhere. This website and book are not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Articulate Global, LLC.

Content

Rank Your Skills

Rank Your Before and After Skills, ii

About This Book

The Authors, xii
IconLogic, xii
Book Conventions, xiii
Confidence Checks, xiii
Book and Storyline System Requirements, xiii
Storyline Projects and Assets (Data Files), xvi
Software Updates and Version Differences, xvii
Contacting Us, xvii

Preface

Articulate 360, 2
Planning eLearning Projects, 3
Estimating Development Time, 5
eLearning Development Process, 7
Design Tips for More Effective Storyline Slides, 10

Module 1: Exploring Storyline

The Storyline 360 Interface
- Guided Activity 1: Explore a Finished Storyline Project, 14
- Guided Activity 2: Explore Slides and Windows, 17
  - Scenes Confidence Check, 18
- Guided Activity 3: Zoom and Magnify, 19
Windows
- Guided Activity 4: Explore Windows, 21
  - Windows Confidence Check, 22
Indexing
- Guided Activity 5: Renumber Scenes, 23
Previewing
- Guided Activity 6: Preview the Entire Project, 25
  - Previewing and Storyline Options Confidence Check, 27

Module 2: Creating Projects

Scenes
- Guided Activity 7: Create a New Storyline Project, 32
  - Scenes Confidence Check, 36
Themes
- Guided Activity 8: Apply a Theme, 37
Master Slides
- Guided Activity 9: Apply a Content Master Slide, 38
  - Master Slides Confidence Check, 40
Content Master Slides
- Guided Activity 10: Insert Slides and Assign a Content Master, 41
- Guided Activity 11: Create a New Content Master Slide, 43
- Guided Activity 12: Apply a Content Slide Layout to a Slide, 45
  - Content Confidence Check, 46

Module 3: Adding Content

PowerPoint Integration
- Guided Activity 13: Import Content From PowerPoint, 48
  - PowerPoint Confidence Check, 50
Images
- Guided Activity 14: Insert and Format Images, 51
  - Images Confidence Check, 53
Text Boxes
- Guided Activity 15: Create and Format a Text Box, 54
  - Text Boxes Confidence Check, 55
- Guided Activity 16: Format a Bulleted List, 56
  - Text Formatting Confidence Check, 58
The Content Library
- Guided Activity 17: Add an Image from the Content Library, 59
  - Cropping and Resizing Confidence Check, 62
AI Images
- Guided Activity 18: Use the AI Assistant to Generate an Image, 64
  - AI Image Editing Confidence Check, 66
Captions
- Guided Activity 19: Insert a Caption, 67

Module 4: Buttons, Triggers, and Hotspots

Buttons and Triggers
- Guided Activity 20: Add Button to a Slide, 70
- Guided Activity 21: Add a Trigger to a Button, 73
  - Text Button Confidence Check, 75
- Guided Activity 22: Use an Image as a Button, 76
  - Image Trigger Confidence Check, 77
- Guided Activity 23: Edit a Trigger, 78
  - Editing Triggers Confidence Check, 79
- Guided Activity 24: Remove Default Player Buttons, 81
- Guided Activity 25: Enable Automatic Slide Advance, 84
Hotspots
- Guided Activity 26: Insert a Hotspot, 86

Module 5: States, Layers, and Variables

States
- Guided Activity 27: Change Button States, 90
  - States Confidence Check, 95
Layers
- Guided Activity 28: Create Layers, 96
  - Layers Confidence Check, 101
- Guided Activity 29: Create a Trigger to Show a Layer, 102
  - Triggers and Layers Confidence Check, 104
Text Entry Fields
- Guided Activity 30: Insert a Text Entry Field, 106
Variables
- Guided Activity 31: Work with a Text Variable, 109
- Guided Activity 32: Reference a Text Variable, 111
Conditional Triggers
- Guided Activity 33: Add a Condition to a Button, 113
  - Layers and Conditional Triggers Confidence Check, 115

Module 6: Tables and Number Variables

Tables
- Guided Activity 34: Insert a Table, 118
  - Tables Confidence Check, 120
Calculation Variables
- Guided Activity 35: Create Variables that Calculate, 121
  - Variables Confidence Check, 124
- Guided Activity 36: Adjust a Variable with a Trigger, 125
  - Calculation Variables Confidence Check, 129

Module 7: Audio, Animation, and Video

Audio and eLearning
- Guided Activity 37: Insert Slide Audio, 135
- Guided Activity 38: Use Text-to-Speech to Create Audio, 136
- Guided Activity 39: Edit Audio, 138
- Guided Activity 40: Replace Audio, 140
  - Inserting Audio Confidence Check, 140
Recording Audio
- Guided Activity 41: Record Voiceover Audio, 141
AI Audio
- Guided Activity 42: Replace Slide Audio with AI Audio, 145
Adding Animation
- Guided Activity 43: Animate an Object, 147
- Guided Activity 44: Animate Text, 149
  - Timing Animations Confidence Check, 151
- Guided Activity 45: Animate an Image, 152
- Guided Activity 46: Create an Animation Completes Trigger, 153
Motion Paths
- Guided Activity 47: Create a Simple Motion Path, 155
Videos and eLearning
- Guided Activity 48: Insert a Video onto a Slide, 158
- Guided Activity 49: Embed an External Video, 159
  - Embedding Videos Confidence Check, 163

Module 8: Quizzing Basics

Quizzes
Question Slides
- Guided Activity 50: Insert a Multiple Choice Slide, 169
- Guided Activity 51: Insert a Matching Drop-down Slide, 173
  - Quiz Confidence Check, 174
- Guided Activity 52: Insert a Freeform Drag and Drop Quiz Slide, 175
- Guided Activity 53: Insert a Quiz Result Slide, 178

Module 9: Player Settings, the Media Library, and Publishing

Player Settings
- Guided Activity 54: Add a Resources Link, 182
- Guided Activity 55: Add a Glossary, 184
- Guided Activity 56: Customize the Player, 186
- Guided Activity 57: Control Slide Navigation, 193
- Guided Activity 58: Enable the Player Seekbar for a Single Slide, 194
The Media Library
- Guided Activity 59: Replace an Image, 195
Publishing
- Guided Activity 60: Publish for the Web, 197
  - Publish Confidence Check, 200
Review 360
- Guided Activity 61: Publish to Review 360, 202
  - Review 360 Confidence Check, 207

Module 10: Themes and Templates

Themes
- Guided Activity 62: Create a Theme, 210
- Guided Activity 63: Format a Master Slide, 213
  - Master Slide Confidence Check, 215
- Guided Activity 64: Create Layouts, 217
  - Custom Layouts Confidence Check, 221
- Guided Activity 65: Save a Theme, 223
- Guided Activity 66: Load a Theme, 224
Templates
- Guided Activity 67: Add Slide Navigation to the Slide Master, 225
  - Navigation Confidence Check, 228
True/False and Number Variables
- Guided Activity 68: Create Variables, 231
  - Variables Confidence Check, 232
Progress Indicators
- Guided Activity 69: Add Triggers for a Progress Indicator, 233
Trigger Order
- Guided Activity 70: Reposition Triggers, 237
  - Reuse Triggers Confidence Check, 240
- Guided Activity 71: Create and Use a Template, 241

Module 11: More Motion Paths

Complex Motion Paths
- Guided Activity 72: Preview Completed Motion Paths, 244
- Guided Activity 73: Create a Motion Path, 245
- Guided Activity 74: Modify a Motion Path, 246
- Guided Activity 75: Change the Duration of a Motion Path, 248
- Guided Activity 76: Add a Second Motion Path to an Object, 249
Motion Path Triggers
- Guided Activity 77: Control “When” a Motion Path Occurs, 252
  - Editing Triggers Confidence Check, 254
Triggers and States
- Guided Activity 78: Add Triggers that Reset Motion Paths, 255
  - Motion Path Resetting Confidence Check, 257
- Guided Activity 79: Add Triggers that Disable an Object, 258
  - Disable States Confidence Check, 259
- Guided Activity 80: Add Triggers that Enable Interactivity, 260
  - Enable States Confidence Check, 261
Triggers and Layers
- Guided Activity 81: Create a “Show Layer” Trigger, 263
  - Show Layers Confidence Check, 266

Module 12: Advanced Quiz Concepts

Question Feedback Timing
- Guided Activity 82: Control Drag and Drop Feedback Timing, 268
Image Feedback
- Guided Activity 83: Add an Image as Question Feedback, 271
Branching
- Guided Activity 84: Set Remediation, 273
Importing Quiz Data
- Guided Activity 85: Import Questions From a File, 278
Question Banks
- Guided Activity 86: Create a Random Quiz, 281
  - Random Quiz Confidence Check, 284
Quiz Result Redirection
- Guided Activity 87: Redirect a Quiz, 285
  - Redirection Confidence Check, 287

Module 13: Engaging eLearning

Games and Learner Engagement
- Guided Activity 88: Preview a Completed Project, 290
- Guided Activity 89: Delete Existing Triggers, 291
Hotspots
- Guided Activity 90: Insert a Hotspot, 292
- Guided Activity 91: Change States, 295
- Guided Activity 92: Make a Trigger Conditional, 297
- Guided Activity 93: Reuse Hotspots and Triggers, 298
  - Reuse Hotspots Confidence Check, 299
Resetting Variables and Slides
- Guided Activity 94: Create a Game Reset Hyperlink, 300
- Guided Activity 95: Reset Slide Properties, 302
Leveraging Variable Values
- Guided Activity 96: Assign a Variable to Another Variable, 304
- Guided Activity 97: Adjust Variable Values, 306
- Guided Activity 98: Reference a Variable, 308
Forced Navigation
- Guided Activity 99: Use a Conditional Trigger to Show a Player Button, 309

Module 14: Advanced Video Controls, Sliders, and Dials

Embedding iFrame Video
- Guided Activity 100: Insert a Website Video, 314
Web Objects
- Guided Activity 101: Insert a Web Object, 317
- Guided Activity 102: Edit Video Parameters, 319
  - Parameters Confidence Check, 320
Cue Points
- Guided Activity 103: Add Cue Points to the Timeline, 321
  - Cue Points Confidence Check, 322
- Guided Activity 104: Add Triggers Based on Cue Points, 323
  - Triggers and Cue Points Confidence Check, 325
- Guided Activity 105: Set a Character’s State Based on Time, 326
Sliders
- Guided Activity 106: Insert and Format a Slider, 328
- Guided Activity 107: Set Slider Values, 331
- Guided Activity 108: Add Triggers to a Slider, 332
  - Sliders Confidence Check, 334
Dials
- Guided Activity 109: Insert a Dial, 335
- Guided Activity 110: Set Dial Values, 337
- Guided Activity 111: Add Triggers to a Dial, 338
  - Dials Confidence Check, 340
- Guided Activity 112: Connect a Dial to a Slider, 341
  - Dials and Sliders Confidence Check, 342

Module 15: Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality
- Guided Activity 113: Add 360-Degree Images, 344
- Guided Activity 114: Add Static Text to a Virtual Reality Slide, 346
- Guided Activity 115: Add a Static Image to a Virtual Reality Slide, 347
  - Adding VR Images Confidence Check, 348
- Guided Activity 116: Set the Initial View for a 360-Degree Image, 349
- Guided Activity 117: Add a 360-Degree Image Marker and Trigger, 351
  - Initial View and Markers Confidence Check, 354
- Guided Activity 118: Add a 360° Hotspot and Trigger, 355

Module 16: Accessibility and Reporting

Accessibility
The Accessibility Checker
- Guided Activity 119: Review the Accessibility Checker, 361
- Guided Activity 120: Make an Image Accessible, 363
  - Image Accessibility Confidence Check, 364
- Guided Activity 121: Label an Image as Decorative, 365
Focus Order
- Guided Activity 122: Modify Focus Order, 366
Keyboard Shortcuts
- Guided Activity 123: Add a Keyboard Shortcut to a Button, 368
Closed Captioning
- Guided Activity 124: Import Captions from an SRT File, 369
- Guided Activity 125: Display Closed Captions Automatically, 372
- Guided Activity 126: Add Captions Manually, 373
  - Manual Closed Captions Confidence Check, 374
Reporting
- Guided Activity 127: Publish a SCORM-Compliant Package, 378

Module 17: Screen Recording for Software Training

Recording Fundamentals
- Guided Activity 128: Rehearse a Recording Script, 383
- Guided Activity 129: Record a Software Simulation, 384
Recording Modes
- Guided Activity 130: Insert an Unused Screen Recording, 389
  - Adding Modes Confidence Check, 391
Branching Scenarios
- Guided Activity 131: Create Jumps Between Scenes, 393
  - Branching Confidence Check, 396
Action Fine Tuning
- Guided Activity 132: Fine Tune a Recording, 398
  - Action Fine Tuning Confidence Check, 400
Microsoft Word Integration
- Guided Activity 133: Use the Translation Feature, 401