Blank field layer when Freeform Text entry field in blank

You don't need any special coding or triggers. 

When you insert a text-entry field, the program automatically includes "type your text here" in the field. You can edit that instruction text in the Storyline file. 

The image below shows two text-entry fields. The first has the default instruction. The second has the edited instruction.

After someone enters text, the program updates the variable that stores the text. That is known as the variable's value. When the text-entry variable is given a value, the program will no longer show the instruction text. 

Here's the User Guide article about data-entry (text-entry and numeric-entry) fields: Data-Entry Fields in Storyline 360 - E-Learning Heroes (articulate.com) 

Hi Judy,

Thanks for your very quick response, the link is very useful for future projects. 

Sorry for not making the post very clear.  I have already edited the text field to say please complete.

I meant if a learner leaves a blank text field, then how do I add a trigger, to show the text field is blank and the learner must complete this, before then can continue.

EG.

when you register for a new on-line account, and try to go to the next page without fully completing a form-  you will get a message in red stating this field is blank and must be completed.

Sorry for the confusion.

I'm sorry I misunderstood your original post. Thanks for clarifying that you want to show a warning if the user tries to continue without completing the field.

You can use a trigger condition to check whether the Text Entry variable is blank or not. That allows you to control what the user can do before and after they enter something in the field. 

The trigger shown below provides an example. It's the standard trigger for the Next button, but with a condition and an else statement. 

• The Condition checks whether the user entered something in the field, that is, if the TextEntry variable ≠ (blank).
  • If the variable ≠ (blank), then the trigger jumps to the next slide.
  • Otherwise (else), the trigger shows a layer with a warning that the field has to be completed.

Note that this trigger variation accomplishes the same thing:

For reference, here is the User Guide information about conditions and variables: 

• https://community.articulate.com/series/articulate-storyline-360/articles/articulate-storyline-360-user-guide-how-to-work-with-triggers#conditions
• https://community.articulate.com/series/articulate-storyline-360/articles/articulate-storyline-360-user-guide-how-to-work-with-variables 

Hi Judy,

This worked perfectly, thanks for all your help.

I don't suppose you know how to enter a minimum character limit for the text entry field.

Thanks,

Saeed

Hi Judy,

I too don't know how to create Javascript, so I will leave it as it is.

You've been a great help, thanks for all your support.