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ThomaStudios
ThomaStudios
Participant
May 8, 2024
Answered

Adding user interactive text blocks for eBook

  • May 8, 2024
  • 3 replies
  • 553 views

I have two instruction books that I have done in InDesign and both have many assignments that would require the user to enter answers in the eBook.  Right now I have the layout with just an underscore __ showing where to enter the answers.  But I need to be able to allow the user of the eBook to enter text and or numbers at these points.  How exactly would I do that with ID so the exported epub book has that capability?  I assume it's very obvious but I'm not finding any info for this in the Help or tutorials.

 

Thanks very much.

 

J D Thomas
ThomaStudios

 

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer James Gifford—NitroPress

    I'm not sure any standard e-book format supports such a feature. There are some interactive features for EPUB, but they're tricky to implement and export, and then completely dependent on the reader used (no two EPUB readers being quite the same).

     

    I don't think what you're attempting can be done outside of an interactive web page (or a custom lesson/learning app).

    3 replies

    Echris7733130
    Echris7733130
    Participating Frequently
    May 9, 2024

    Did something similar with an epub starting out in indesign, exported as FXL as that supports more of the enhanced elements you mention. Then after that everything was customized manually. It was primarily used with readium as that was open and what the client wanted. Had the ability to choose items from dropdown, submit it and get a green for correct and red for not. But it was a lot of customization, audio, video, submitting, dropdown menus, drag and drop and more, it was meant as an interactive textbook. Again though, everything was tested and created for the readium platform. So you are limited with the platforms that would support it. Apple ibooks does support some other interactivity as well, touch and get a sound to play, animations, etc, but again a fixed layout version, locked to an orientation that best suits the content is best. 

    ThomaStudios
    ThomaStudiosAuthor
    Participant
    May 9, 2024

    Thanks for the suggestion.  What is FXL?  I don't see that option for exporting from ID.

    BobLevine
    Community Expert
    BobLevineCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 9, 2024
    EPUB, Fixed Layout.
      BobLevine
      Community Expert
      BobLevineCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      May 8, 2024
      I'm happy to be proven wrong but there's no way I know of to do this with EPUB.

      What you need is an app or a custom website.
      James Gifford—NitroPress
      James Gifford—NitroPressCorrect answer
      Legend
      May 8, 2024

      I'm not sure any standard e-book format supports such a feature. There are some interactive features for EPUB, but they're tricky to implement and export, and then completely dependent on the reader used (no two EPUB readers being quite the same).

       

      I don't think what you're attempting can be done outside of an interactive web page (or a custom lesson/learning app).

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