Adobe Captivate Review: Comprehensive Guide, AI Features, and Feature Tutorials

AI & Media Capabilities

Layout & Asset Management

Enterprise Collaboration & LMS Deployment

Disclaimer: Pricing structures and feature allotments reflect subscription rates and may vary based on promotional updates or regional currency rates. Always check the official website for current pricing details and enterprise quotes.

Platform Feature Comparison Matrix

• ✓
  Choose Adobe Captivate if:

  You need a comprehensive authoring platform with advanced software simulation capabilities, built-in AI voice features, and seamless responsive design.

• ✓
  Choose Vyond if:

  Your priority is creating character-driven 2D animated scenarios, rapid script-to-video drafts, and whiteboard explainers.

• ✓
  Choose Animaker if:

  You require a lightweight web-based tool for creating quick visual presentation assets and social media clips.

• ✓
  Choose Articulate Storyline 360 if:

  You rely heavily on traditional slide-based trigger logic, precise custom variable scripting, and extensive community templates.

1. AI Voice Narration: Fast, Natural, Multilingual Audio

Adobe Captivate 2025 enables authors to convert closed captions into human-like audio using smart AI voice models. Creators can select specific accents, languages, genders, and vocal tones to match their target audience.

Bulk Selection & Sync: Assign specific voice agents to individual captions or apply a single agent globally across the timeline. Voice narration automatically re-synthesizes whenever captions or script blocks are updated.

Localization Efficiency: Reduces the need for external voice talent during rapid prototyping and multilingual course rollouts.

2. Accessibility Enhancements: Inclusive Design Frameworks

Adobe Captivate 2025 introduces systemic accessibility updates to simplify Section 508 and WCAG compliance.

Global Speech Agent Settings: Set a single default speech agent language across the entire project, or override it on individual slides that need localized or bilingual narration. New components automatically inherit the project-wide setting unless a manual override is applied.

Screen Reader & Structural Hierarchy Controls: Assign custom alt-text to embedded web objects and external frames, and toggle semantic H1 (Title) and H2 (Subtitle) tags directly from the Visual Properties panel. Screen readers automatically follow a top-down, left-to-right reading order, completing each column's title, subtitle, and body before moving to the next.

3. Custom Design Systems and Workflow Productivity

4. Interactive Widgets and Embedded Media

Adobe Captivate 2025 expands its interactive widget library and media embedding options, giving authors more ways to structure content and bring in outside resources without leaving the slide canvas.

Accordion Widget: Add up to 20 collapsible accordion sections, each with its own custom title, body text, and SVG icon for brand consistency. Hover, visited, and disabled states automatically apply their own styling as learners interact with the widget.

Web Objects: Embed external web pages, live charts, or PDF documents directly on a slide using a URL or embed code. Trigger buttons and custom captions automatically keep learners inside the module environment instead of redirecting to an external browser tab.

5. Software Simulations and Screen Capture Upgrades

6. Publishing and LMS Integration

Tutorial 1: Generating AI Voice Narration from Captions

Convert closed captions into high-quality, synchronized audio narrations automatically.

1. 01

   Open the Target Slide

   Open your project file in Adobe Captivate and navigate to the target slide.

2. 02

   Select the Caption

   Select the text caption or closed caption element on the timeline or canvas.

3. 03

   Generate AI Voice

   Navigate to the Audio Inspector panel on the right sidebar and select Generate AI Voice.

4. 04

   Choose Voice Profile

   Choose your target language, select an AI voice profile (adjusting gender, accent, and tone), and click Generate.

5. 05

   Preview & Apply Sync

   Preview the synthesized speech against slide timeline events and click Apply to lock sync parameters.

Tutorial 2: Creating Interactive Videos with Overlay Slides

Embed interactive overlays, bookmarks, and knowledge check points into video timelines.

1. 01

   Insert the Video

   Insert your video file onto the canvas timeline or link an external media source.

2. 02

   Add a Bookmark

   Drag the video timeline playhead to the desired interaction timestamp and click Add Bookmark.

3. 03

   Insert the Overlay

   In the right-hand Action Panel, select Add Overlay and choose the slide you wish to display.

4. 04

   Configure the Button

   Configure the interactive button on the overlay slide by setting its click action to Resume Timeline upon completion.

5. 05

   Preview the Module

   Preview the video module to verify that playback pauses at the bookmark and resumes once the user interacts.

Tutorial 3: Bulk Importing Quiz Questions via CSV File

Accelerate assessment creation by importing multiple question types from formatted text files.

1. 01

   Prepare the CSV

   Prepare a CSV spreadsheet containing columns for Question Type, Points, Question Stem, and Option choices.

2. 02

   Mark Correct Answers

   Mark correct answer choices by placing an asterisk (*) directly before the option text.

3. 03

   Open Import CSV

   In Adobe Captivate, navigate to File > Import > Import CSV Format File.

4. 04

   Browse & Open

   Browse to your saved CSV document and click Open.

5. 05

   Verify the Import

   Verify that Captivate automatically populates the question pool and builds the quiz slides in the project outline.

Tutorial 4: Configuring Responsive Layouts with Accordion Widgets

Build multi-section collapsible content widgets optimized for desktop and mobile devices.

1. 01

   Open the Widgets Tab

   Open the project canvas and click the Widgets tab on the main toolbar.

2. 02

   Insert the Accordion

   Select Accordion from the layout gallery to insert it onto the current slide.

3. 03

   Define Sections

   In the Widget Properties panel, define the number of expandable sections (up to 20 sections).

4. 04

   Customize Content

   Customize section headers, edit body text blocks, and adjust color schemes to align with brand guidelines.

5. 05

   Check Breakpoints

   Switch breakpoint views (Desktop, Tablet, Mobile) to verify proper auto-scaling and text wrapping.

Tutorial 5: Converting PowerPoint Presentations into Interactive Modules

Transform static slide decks into interactive responsive learning content.

1. 01

   Start a New Project

   Launch Captivate and click New Project > From PowerPoint (or Slides > PowerPoint).

2. 02

   Select the File

   Browse to your local directory, select the PowerPoint file (.pptx), and click Open.

3. 03

   Pick the Slides

   In the slide selection window, check the specific slides you wish to import and adjust resolution parameters.

4. 04

   Import into Workspace

   Click OK to bring the slides into the Captivate workspace as responsive slide objects.

5. 05

   Add Interactions

   Add interactive buttons, knowledge checks, and custom widgets over the imported slides before publishing.

Tutorial 6: Exporting and Importing Captions for Translation

Streamline localization by exporting project copy for external translation.

1. 01

   Open Export Menu

   Open your completed project file and go to File > Export > Project Captions and Closed Captions.

2. 02

   Save the Word File

   Save the generated Microsoft Word (.doc) file to your computer.

3. 03

   Send for Translation

   Provide the file to your translator, ensuring they add translations strictly in the Updated Text Caption Data column.

4. 04

   Import Translations

   Return to Captivate and select File > Import > Project Captions and Closed Captions.

5. 05

   Verify the Update

   Select the translated document to automatically update all project text and captions while maintaining object formatting.

Tutorial 7: How to Stop or Pause Audio on Slide Revisit – Adobe Captivate 2019

Prevent slide audio narration from replaying when learners revisit previously viewed slides using variables and shared advanced actions.

1. 01

   Open Variables Panel

   Navigate to the Project menu and select Variables from the dropdown menu.

2. 02

   Add a New Variable

   Click the Add New button to create a new tracking variable.

3. 03

   Name & Save It

   Assign a unique name (e.g., Slide1_Audio, Slide2_Audio) and set the value field to 0, then click Save.

4. 04

   Open Advanced Actions

   Go back to the Project menu and select Advanced Actions.

5. 05

   Configure the Increment

   Define an action name (e.g., Audiostop) and configure the variable increment step: Increment – Audio – 1.

6. 06

   Set Conditional Logic

   In the Conditional tab, configure the following logic rules:

   • Variable: Audio
   • Comparison Operator: less than
   • Literal Value: 2
   • Actions: Select Play Audio and pick the corresponding audio file from your local machine.
7. 07

   Save the Action

   Click Save As Action.

8. 08

   Save as Shared Action

   To reuse this logic across multiple slides, click Save As Shared Actions....

9. 09

   Name the Parameters

   Provide a unique name for the shared action, enter parameter descriptions for clarity, and click Save.

10. 10

    Set the On Enter Event

    Navigate to subsequent slides, open the slide properties, and set the On Enter event to Shared Actions.

11. 11

    Assign Slide Parameters

    Assign the appropriate slide parameter values:

    • Select the target slide variable (e.g., Slide2_Audio, Slide3_Audio).
    • Select the matching audio file for the designated slide from your local drive.
12. 12

    Lock In the Settings

    Click Save to lock in the revisit settings.

Tutorial 8: Configuring Publish Settings in Adobe Captivate 2019

Configure and export eLearning courses across multiple output formats, mobile applications, and LMS platforms using Adobe Captivate 2019.

1. 01

   Open Publish

   Open your project in Adobe Captivate 2019 and select Publish from the main menu toolbar.

2. 02

   Choose the Output Path

   Choose your primary output path from the four available deployment targets:

   • Publish to Computer (Local files, LMS packages, standalone media)
   • Publish to Devices (App) (iOS, Android, Windows 8 applications)
   • Publish to Adobe Connect (Direct host server upload)
   • Publish to Adobe Captivate Prime (Direct cloud LMS upload)

Option 1: Publishing to Computer (Local/LMS)

1. 01

   Choose Output Format

   Select Publish to Computer and choose your preferred output format (HTML5 / SWF, Video, or Executable).

2. 02

   Set Core Parameters

   Configure core project parameters in the dialog box:

   • Enter the Project Title and set the target output directory in the Location field.
   • Check Zip Files if generating a single archive for LMS upload.
   • Toggle optional settings such as Fullscreen, Export PDF, Force re-publish on all slides, or Scalable HTML content.
3. 03

   Set Quality & Accessibility

   Adjust quality and accessibility preferences under Size and Quality and Accessibility (Section 508 compliance).

4. 04

   Enable LMS Reporting

   If publishing for LMS integration, check Enable Reporting:

   • Select your LMS standard from the dropdown (SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004, AICC, or xAPI).
   • Click Manifest and define the Course Identifier, Title, and Description (ensure no spaces exist in the Identifier).
   • Set Status Representation (e.g., Incomplete -> Complete or Incomplete -> Passed/Failed).
   • Define Success/Completion Criteria based on Slide Views (e.g., 100% viewed) or Quiz Attempt/Pass conditions.
5. 05

   Publish the Output

   Choose your Output Format (HTML5 for web/mobile browsers, SWF for legacy desktop web, or both) and click Publish.

Option 2: Publishing to Devices as a Mobile App

1. 01

   Select Device Publishing

   Select Publish to Devices (App).

2. 02

   Pick the Platform

   Select your target platform (iOS, Android, or Windows 8).

3. 03

   Log In or Register

   Log in using your developer credentials (or click Register to set up a new account).

4. 04

   Create the Certificate

   For Windows 8 deployments requiring security validation, click Create Certificate.

5. 05

   Confirm & Publish

   Confirm application build parameters and click Publish.

Option 3: Publishing Directly to Adobe Connect

1. 01

   Select Adobe Connect

   Select Publish to Adobe Connect from the toolbar.

2. 02

   Add the Server

   Click the Folder icon in the dialog box, then click Add to input your Adobe Connect Server Name and URL.

3. 03

   Select Assets to Upload

   Select the assets to include in the upload package:

   • Publish Project Files (*.cptx)
   • Zip Project File
   • Publish Video Files (*.flv)
   • SWF / HTML5 Output
4. 04

   Log Into Adobe Connect

   Click Publish and enter your Adobe Connect login credentials when prompted.

5. 05

   Choose a Folder

   Select an existing server folder or click New Folder, then click Publish To This Folder.

6. 06

   Finish the Details

   Enter the project Title, set a Custom URL if needed, add meta tags/descriptions, and click Finish.

Option 4: Publishing Directly to Adobe Captivate Prime LMS

1. 01

   Select Captivate Prime

   Select Publish to Adobe Captivate Prime.

2. 02

   Choose or Register Account

   Select your existing account from the Account dropdown (or choose Setup/Retrieve Captivate Prime Account to register a new tenant).

3. 03

   Confirm Completion Rules

   Confirm module title and course completion parameters.

4. 04

   Upload to Prime

   Click Publish to upload the module directly to your Captivate Prime instance for immediate learner assignment and tracking.

Tutorial 9: Converting PowerPoint Presentations to Interactive eLearning using Adobe Captivate

Transform static PowerPoint slide decks into interactive, tracking-enabled eLearning modules using Adobe Captivate 2017.

1. 01

   Clean Up the Deck

   Open your target PowerPoint presentation and remove any obsolete or unwanted slides before importing.

2. 02

   Choose From PowerPoint

   Launch Adobe Captivate 2017, choose FROM POWERPOINT from the start screen options, and click CREATE.

3. 03

   Browse & Open

   Browse to your saved PowerPoint file (.pptx) and click Open.

4. 04

   Set Conversion Options

   In the Convert Microsoft PowerPoint Presentations dialog box:

   • Enter a project name in the Project Title field.
   • Define the canvas dimensions under Project Properties.
   • Select the specific slides to import (or choose Select All) and click OK.
5. 05

   Add Interactions

   Once imported into the workspace, add interactive elements between slides:

   • Click Slides in the top-left menu and select Blank Slide where new interactions are needed.
   • Open the Interactions menu and insert components such as BUTTON, CLICK BOX, DRAG AND DROP, or LEARNING INTERACTIONS.
   • Customize text labels, colors, and button styling as required.
6. 06

   Insert a Question Slide

   To add assessments, select Question Slide from the Slides dropdown menu.

7. 07

   Populate the Question

   Choose your desired question format (e.g., Multiple Choice, True/False, Matching) and populate the question stems and answer choices.

8. 08

   Open Publish

   Go to File > Publish (or click Publish on the main toolbar).

9. 09

   Enable Reporting

   In the Publish settings window, check Enable reporting for this project to configure LMS tracking preferences (SCORM, AICC, or xAPI).

10. 10

    Generate the Package

    Click Publish to generate the final interactive eLearning package.

Tutorial 10: Exporting and Importing Captions for Multilingual Translation in Adobe Captivate 2017

Streamline course localization by exporting text captions to Microsoft Word, applying translations, and re-importing the localized file back into Adobe Captivate 2017.

Part 1: Exporting Project Captions for Translation

1. 01

   Open the Source Project

   Open your source project file in Adobe Captivate 2017.

2. 02

   Open the File Menu

   Select File from the top left menu bar.

3. 03

   Hover Over Export

   Hover over Export in the dropdown list.

4. 04

   Select the Captions

   Select Project Captions and Closed Captions.

5. 05

   Save the File

   Choose a destination folder, enter a descriptive file name (e.g., Captivate_Template_Captions.doc), and click Save.

6. 06

   Back Up the File

   Locate the exported .doc file and create a backup copy before making any translation edits.

Part 2: Translating the Exported Document

1. 01

   Open the Word File

   Open the .doc file in Microsoft Word.

2. 02

   Locate the Data Columns

   Locate the table layout containing five data columns:

   • Original Text Caption Data: Contains the source language text (e.g., English).
   • Updated Text Caption Data: Input the translated target language text here.
3. 03

   Enter the Translation

   Enter all localized text strictly within the Updated Text Caption Data column.

4. 04

   Preserve the ID Columns

   Do not alter or delete the Slide ID, Item ID, or Slide columns, as these identifiers are required for correct system mapping during re-import.

Part 3: Importing the Translated Document

1. 01

   Reopen the Project

   Re-open the target Adobe Captivate project file.

2. 02

   Navigate to Import

   Navigate to File > Import.

3. 03

   Select the Captions

   Select Project Captions and Closed Captions.

4. 04

   Browse & Open

   Browse to your translated Word document, select the file, and click Open.

5. 05

   Wait for the Import

   Wait for the import progress bar to complete. Captivate will automatically replace the on-slide captions and closed captions with the new translated text while maintaining formatting.

Tutorial 11: Fixing High-Density Screen Recording Errors in Adobe Captivate

Resolve the “Capture is disallowed since High-density displaying was detected” alert and enable screen recording on high-DPI monitors.

Part 1: Adjusting Display Scaling

1. 01

   Open Display Settings

   Right-click anywhere on your desktop and select Display Settings.

2. 02

   Reset Scaling to 100%

   Locate Scale and layout and set Change the size of text, apps, and other items to 100% (even if marked as not recommended).

3. 03

   Re-check Recording

   Close the Display Settings window and launch Adobe Captivate to check if recording is enabled.

Part 2: Configuring High DPI Compatibility Settings

1. 01

   Find the Install Folder

   If the error persists, navigate to your Adobe Captivate installation folder (e.g., C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Captivate 2019).

2. 02

   Open Properties

   Right-click the Captivate.exe file and select Properties.

3. 03

   Change High DPI Settings

   Open the Compatibility tab and click Change high DPI settings.

4. 04

   Check the Override Box

   Check the Override high DPI scaling behavior box.

5. 05

   Set Scaling to Application

   Set the Scaling performed by dropdown menu to Application.

6. 06

   Restart Captivate

   Click OK on both dialog boxes to apply changes and restart Adobe Captivate to begin high-density screen recording.

Tutorial 12: Creating a Custom Play/Pause Button Using Advanced Actions in Adobe Captivate 2019

Toggle slide media playback using custom button icons and global advanced actions assigned across all project slides.

1. 01

   Insert the Icon Graphics

   Insert two custom icon graphics onto the canvas to represent the Play and Pause button states.

2. 02

   Name the Targets

   In the Properties panel, assign unique target names to each graphic (e.g., Play_Btn and Pause_Btn).

3. 03

   Set Default Visibility

   Set the default initial visibility on the first slide: set Pause_Btn to visible (eye icon open) and Play_Btn to hidden (eye icon closed).

4. 04

   Configure Display Timing

   Select both button objects, open the Timing Inspector, and configure display parameters:

   • Select Rest of Project from the Display For dropdown menu.
   • Check Place Object on Top to prevent canvas assets on subsequent slides from layering over the controls.
5. 05

   Build the Toggle Scripts

   Navigate to Project > Advanced Actions and build the playback toggle scripts:

   Play Button Action:

   • Hide: Play_Btn
   • Show: Pause_Btn
   • Continue

   Pause Button Action:

   • Hide: Pause_Btn
   • Show: Play_Btn
   • Pause
6. 06

   Assign the Click Events

   Assign the Play Button Action to the Play_Btn click event and the Pause Button Action to the Pause_Btn click event.

7. 07

   Build the Reset Action

   Create a global On-Enter conditional advanced action to reset control states when transitioning slides:

   • Show: Pause_Btn
   • Hide: Play_Btn
8. 08

   Apply Sitewide

   Apply this global On-Enter action to the On Enter slide event across all project slides.

Tutorial 13: Smart Video Recording with Chroma Key Backgrounds in Adobe Captivate 2019

Record webcam video and screen capture simultaneously while applying automatic chroma key background replacement or transparency in Adobe Captivate 2019.

1. 01

   Start a Video Demo

   Launch Adobe Captivate 2019 and select Video Demo from the welcome screen.

2. 02

   Set Recording Properties

   In the Video Capture dialog box, configure your recording properties on the left panel:

   • Select your target Screen Area dimensions.
   • Enable both Microphone and System Audio as needed.
   • Toggle Automatic Panning if required.
3. 03

   Change the Background

   On the right panel previewing your webcam feed, click Change Background to initiate the automatic chroma key workflow.

4. 04

   Take the Snapshot

   Click Take my snapshot.

5. 05

   Draw the Selection Lines

   To remove the current background, draw a vertical line from your head to the bottom of the screen, followed by a horizontal line across your shoulders.

   • Best Practices: Ensure solid wall colors, high contrast between your shirt/skin and the backdrop, and clean hair outline selection.
6. 06

   Confirm the Selection

   Click I am fully selected on the image preview.

7. 07

   Verify the Keying

   Verify the keying accuracy in the preview screen and click My preview looks good.

8. 08

   Choose a Background

   Select a replacement background from the preset library, import a custom background graphic, or choose the Checker pattern to create a fully transparent background overlay.

9. 09

   Start Recording

   Click Record to begin simultaneous screen capture and webcam recording.

10. 10

    Stop the Recording

    Press End (or Option + Command + T / Ctrl + Alt + N) to stop recording.

11. 11

    Trim & Review

    In the editor window, review, trim, or edit your dual-stream recording.

12. 12

    Publish the Video

    Click Publish > Publish to Computer (or publish directly to YouTube) and enter your target video output settings in the Publish Video Demo window.

Tutorial 14: Creating Responsive eLearning Courses Using Fluid Boxes in Adobe Captivate 2019

Design multi-device eLearning layouts using automatic content flow, wrapping, alignment properties, and static or optional Fluid Boxes.

1. 01

   Start a Responsive Project

   Launch Adobe Captivate 2019 and choose Responsive Project from the start screen.

2. 02

   Choose Container Layout

   Navigate to Fluid Boxes on the top toolbar and select a directional container layout (Horizontal or Vertical).

3. 03

   Set Box Dimensions

   Select individual child or parent Fluid Boxes to customize container dimensions using percentages or explicit pixel values in the Properties panel.

4. 04

   Add Slide Assets

   Add slide assets (text, media, logos, navigation) into designated Fluid Boxes.

5. 05

   Configure Wrap Behavior

   In the Properties panel, configure Wrap properties to define layout behavior on smaller screens:

   • Wrap to next row: Moves overflowing objects sequentially to the next row.
   • Squeeze in a row: Compresses objects to keep them in a single line.
   • One Row/Column: Collapses the entire layout from a row into a single column.
   • Symmetrical: Wraps objects in balanced groups to keep row counts equal.
6. 06

   Set Alignment

   Set Alignment preferences by unchecking Stretch to Match:

   • Horizontal: Align content to Left, Right, Center, Space in between, or Space around.
   • Vertical: Align content to Top, Middle, or Bottom.
7. 07

   Create a Static Fluid Box

   To overlay elements directly on top of each other, select a Fluid Box and convert it to a Static Fluid Box.

8. 08

   Mark Elements Optional

   Select secondary graphics or decorative elements and mark them as Optional so they automatically hide on small mobile screens to save space.

Tutorial 15: Creating a Custom Mute/Unmute Audio Button Using Advanced Actions and Variables in Adobe Captivate 2019

Control global project audio playback with custom sound icons, user variables, and conditional On-Enter actions across all slides.

1. 01

   Insert the Icon Graphics

   Insert two custom graphics onto the canvas to represent the Mute and Unmute states.

2. 02

   Name the Targets

   In the Properties panel, assign unique target names to each graphic (e.g., Mute_Btn and Unmute_Btn).

3. 03

   Create the Variable

   Open Project > Variables from the top menu, click Add New, enter a name (e.g., v_Audio), set the initial value to 1, and click Save.

4. 04

   Build the Actions

   Navigate to Project > Advanced Actions to create the interaction logic:

   Unmute Button Action:

   • Assign: v_Audio = 1
   • Execute Command: Unmute
   • Hide: Unmute_Btn
   • Show: Mute_Btn

   Mute Button Action:

   • Assign: v_Audio = 0
   • Execute Command: Mute
   • Hide: Mute_Btn
   • Show: Unmute_Btn
5. 05

   Attach the Click Events

   Attach the Unmute Button Action to the Unmute_Btn click event, and the Mute Button Action to the Mute_Btn click event.

6. 06

   Build the Reset Condition

   Create a global conditional On-Enter action to preserve the learner's audio selection when navigating between slides:

   • IF: v_Audio is equal to 1 – THEN: Show: Mute_Btn, Hide: Unmute_Btn
   • ELSE: Show: Unmute_Btn, Hide: Mute_Btn
7. 07

   Apply Sitewide

   Apply this conditional On-Enter action to the On Enter slide event across all project slides.

Tutorial 16: Creating Immersive Courses Using Virtual Reality Projects in Adobe Captivate 2019

Build 360° interactive VR learning experiences with hotspots, guided or exploratory navigation, and specialized HTML5 publishing in Adobe Captivate 2019.

1. 01

   Open a VR Workspace

   Launch Adobe Captivate 2019 and open a VR workspace via File > New Project > Virtual Reality Project (or New > Virtual Reality Project).

2. 02

   Import the 360° Asset

   Click the + icon on the stage, browse your local drive, and import a 360° image or video asset.

3. 03

   Add Interactive Hotspots

   Add interactive elements to the 360° environment:

   • Select Hotspots from the top menu bar and choose a hotspot icon.
   • Double-click the inserted hotspot to open the Properties Inspector.
   • Under the On Click dropdown menu, assign a target action (e.g., Display Text, audio playback, or slide navigation).
4. 04

   Label the Interaction

   Label your interaction by selecting Text > Label from the menu bar and entering descriptive caption text in the Properties panel.

5. 05

   Set the Navigation Mode

   In the Properties panel, set the project navigation mode:

   • Guided: Automatically rotates the screen view sequentially from one hotspot to the next during playback.
   • Exploratory: Allows learners to freely drag and pan the screen to discover hotspots independently.
6. 06

   Set the Display Duration

   Adjust the Display Duration slider to set how long overlay text remains visible when triggered.

7. 07

   Publish for VR

   Click Publish > Publish for Virtual Reality Devices.

8. 08

   Confirm the Output

   Specify your project title, select a destination folder, and verify Publish project as HTML5 is selected.

9. 09

   Upload to a Server

   Publish the package and upload the generated asset folders (vr, dr, assets, index.html, etc.) to a web server for VR headset or web browser playback.

Tutorial 17: Creating Accessible eLearning Courses in Adobe Captivate

Design Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 compliant eLearning modules using the Accessibility Inspector to manage screen reader order, alt text, and language settings.

1. 01

   Select the Slide

   Open your target course in Adobe Captivate and select the slide you want to configure.

2. 02

   Open the Accessibility Inspector

   Click the Accessibility icon in the right-hand slide properties panel to open the Accessibility Inspector.

3. 03

   Set Slide-Level Text

   In the top section of the Accessibility Inspector:

   • Enter slide-level summary text in the Accessibility Text field.
   • Select the primary spoken Language for the overall slide from the dropdown menu.
4. 04

   Review the Reading Order

   Review the Reading Order section, which lists all slide components in screen reader navigation sequence.

5. 05

   Configure Each Asset

   Select individual assets (e.g., images, text blocks, buttons) from the list:

   • Add descriptive Accessibility Text and set component-specific languages as needed.
   • Check Hide from screen order for decorative graphics, icons, or background elements so screen readers bypass them.
6. 06

   Repeat Sitewide

   Repeat the configuration process for all remaining elements and slides across the project to complete WCAG compliance.

Tutorial 18: Creating Branched Interactions in Adobe Captivate

Design interactive branching scenarios that guide learners down different learning paths, track button completion states, and conditionally unlock navigation buttons.

1. 01

   Build the Main Menu

   Open your Adobe Captivate project and set up a main menu or branching slide with multiple interactive option buttons, plus standard Next and Previous navigation controls.

2. 02

   Disable the Next Button

   Select the branching slide and configure the initial slide state:

   • Click Add an Interaction in the right-hand panel.
   • Set the trigger event to Slide Enter.
   • Select More > Disable, choose the Next navigation button as the target, and click Done.
3. 03

   Customize Button States

   Customize button states if needed by opening the visual state editor, right-clicking the Disable state, and toggling it to Enable.

4. 04

   Assign Slide Routing

   Assign slide routing to each menu button:

   • Select a menu button and click Add an Interaction.
   • Choose Click/tap as the trigger and Go to Slide as the action.
   • Select the target topic slide and click Done.
5. 05

   Route Back to the Menu

   Navigate to the last slide of each branch/topic and set its Next button's click interaction to Go to Slide, pointing back to the main branching screen.

6. 06

   Build the Completion Trigger

   Create the conditional completion trigger on the branching slide to unlock progression:

   • Select the slide, click + Add New Action, choose +, and select Standard state.
   • Define a condition checking that all menu buttons are in the Visited state.
   • Set the action to More > Enable and select the Next button as the target.
7. 07

   Save Your Changes

   Save changes by clicking Done to enforce that learners complete all branched paths before advancing.

Tutorial 19: Converting Videos into Interactive Videos Using Overlay Slides in Adobe Captivate 2019

Enhance MP4 or YouTube videos by embedding interactive overlay slides, knowledge checks, and remediation bookmarks along the video timeline.

1. 01

   Open Interactive Video

   Launch Adobe Captivate 2019 and click the Interactive Video tab on the main ribbon.

2. 02

   Select the Video Source

   In the pop-up window, select your video source:

   • From your Computer: Browse and select a local MP4 file.
   • YouTube: Paste the video URL into the link field and click OK.
3. 03

   Position the Playhead

   Drag the timeline playhead to the exact timestamp where you want to pause playback and show interactive content.

4. 04

   Choose the Slide Type

   From the Slides dropdown menu, select Knowledge Check Slide or Content Slide.

5. 05

   Insert the Questions

   Choose your desired assessment question types from the Insert Questions dialog box and click OK.

6. 06

   Select the Overlay Icon

   Select the Overlay (+) icon directly on the timeline playhead.

7. 07

   Insert the Overlay Slide

   In the overlay selection window, pick the slide you want to display over the video and click Insert.

8. 08

   Verify the Link

   Verify that the slide link appears under the target timeline timestamp. To modify or remove it later, click the Overlay icon on the playhead to Replace or Delink the slide.

9. 09

   Set Up Remediation

   To set up remediation for failed knowledge checks:

   • Drag the playhead to an earlier point in the video where key concepts are explained.
   • Click the + icon under Bookmark above the timeline to create a bookmark.
10. 10

    Jump to the Bookmark

    Open the Actions tab in the Properties Inspector for your overlay interaction, set the failure action to Jump to Bookmark, and select your target bookmark.

11. 11

    Preview & Publish

    Preview and publish the project to export your HTML5-compliant interactive video course.

Tutorial 20: How to Use the Widget Gallery in Adobe Captivate

Streamline eLearning development by inserting, customizing, and styling interactive widgets—such as Flip Cards and Tabs—using the Widget Gallery.

1. 01

   Select the Target Slide

   Open your Adobe Captivate project and select or create a target slide.

2. 02

   Open the Widget Panel

   Click the Widget icon on the left-side toolbar to open the widget library panel.

3. 03

   Pick a Widget Type

   Browse the available categories and select a widget type that fits your interaction requirements (e.g., Cards / Flip Cards).

4. 04

   Customize the Widget

   Customize widget properties and content:

   • Double-click placeholder text to add custom instructional content.
   • Swap out default graphics and images with your own media assets.
   • Toggle component options (such as enabling or disabling specific interactivity controls) in the settings panel.
   • Increase or decrease the total number of interactive items (e.g., number of cards or tab panels).
5. 05

   Choose a Design Preset

   Open the Design Options section in the right-hand Inspector panel to select pre-built visual presets, color schemes, and layout styles.

6. 06

   Add a Tabs Widget

   To add structured content layouts, select additional widgets such as the Tabs widget:

   • Double-click individual tab headers and content bodies to update text.
   • Access Design Options to adjust tab positioning, spacing, and hover states.
7. 07

   Preview the Widget

   Click the Preview button on the top toolbar to test the interactivity before publishing.

Tutorial 21: Utilizing Interactive Components for Feedback Forms in Adobe Captivate

Gather learner data and survey responses by building a custom feedback form using interactive text input fields, dropdown menus, and LMS reporting.

1. 01

   Add a Blank Slide

   Open your Adobe Captivate project and click the + icon on the left-side panel to add a blank slide at the end of the course.

2. 02

   Rename the Slide

   Double-click the slide header and rename the title to Feedback.

3. 03

   Add Instruction Text

   Select the T (Text) component on the left toolbar to add introduction text or instructions for the learner.

4. 04

   Style the Text

   Customize typography, layout, and colors using the Appearance and Presets options in the right-hand panel.

5. 05

   Open Interactive Components

   Click the Add Interactive Component icon on the left toolbar to view input options.

6. 06

   Insert an Input Field

   Select and insert an Input Field component onto the stage for open-ended learner responses (e.g., name, email, or comments).

7. 07

   Style the Input Field

   Custom-style the input field label, placeholder text, and container background using the Appearance, Presets, and Design settings in the right inspector panel.

8. 08

   Insert a Dropdown

   Click Add Interactive Component again and select Dropdown to insert a multiple-choice selection element.

9. 09

   Edit the Choices

   In the right-hand panel, open Options to add, edit, or reorder selection choices for the dropdown list.

10. 10

    Report to LMS

    Select each interactive component and check the Report to LMS box in the properties inspector to transmit user responses directly to your Learning Management System.

Tutorial 22: Adding Custom Page Numbers in Adobe Captivate 2019

Track and display dynamic slide page numbers across your project using custom variables, text captions, and increment/decrement button actions.

1. 01

   Place Nav Buttons

   Place custom Next and Back navigation buttons on your project slides.

2. 02

   Open Variables

   Go to Project > Variables from the top menu and click Add New.

3. 03

   Create the Counter

   Create the page counter variable:

   • Name: PageNumber
   • Value: 0
   • Click Save.
4. 04

   Insert a Text Caption

   Insert a Text Caption onto the canvas where you want the slide number to display.

5. 05

   Embed the Variable

   In the Text Caption properties panel, click the Insert Variable ([X]) icon:

   • Select PageNumber from the Variable dropdown menu.
   • Click OK to embed $$PageNumber$$ into the text box.
6. 06

   Set the Timing

   Open the Timing panel for the Text Caption:

   • Set Display For to Rest of Project.
   • Check Place Object on Top to keep the counter visible across all slides.
7. 07

   Set the Initial Value

   On the first slide, set an On Enter action: Assign PageNumber = 1.

8. 08

   Configure Nav Actions

   Configure navigation button actions:

   Next Button:

   • Increment: PageNumber by 1
   • Go to Next Slide

   Back Button:

   • Decrement: PageNumber by 1
   • Go to Previous Slide
9. 09

   Apply Across Slides

   Apply these button actions across all subsequent slides to dynamically update the page number as learners navigate.