The course content editor lets System Admins and Course Owners create a structured learning experience from the Contents tab of an on-demand or blended course. You can arrange lessons into sections, combine different types of content, control when each lesson becomes available and check the saved learner view before publishing.
Who can use this?
System Admins and Course Owners can create and edit course content. Facilitators cannot open the course editor. The Contents tab is available for on-demand and blended courses.
Open the course content editor
Go to admin.cademy.io.
Select Courses.
Open your on-demand or blended course.
Select Edit Course, then select Contents.
The Course Content screen shows your sections and lessons in learner order. Each lesson card can show its icon, description, content-type hints, schedule and Draft status.
Create and organise sections and lessons
Add a section
Select New Section. A section named New Section is added to the end of the course.
Select the section name, or open the section's actions and select Rename.
Enter the new name, then press Enter or select outside the name field.
Add lessons with Add Lesson, or move existing lessons into the section.
Select Save at the top of the page.
You can drag sections to reorder them. Open a section's actions to use Rename, Move Up, Move Down or Delete Section.
Deleting a section does not delete its lessons.
If other sections are available, its lessons move to a nearby section. You cannot delete the only section while it still contains lessons.
Add a lesson
Select New Lesson at the top of the Course Content screen, or select Add Lesson inside a section. The button shows progress while the lesson is being created and prevents repeated additions. The new lesson then opens in the editor. If the course has no section yet, the first lesson is added to Section 1.
Move, duplicate or delete a lesson
Drag a lesson to reorder it or move it between sections.
Open the lesson's actions and select Move To to choose a section.
Select Duplicate to create a Draft copy directly after the original. The copy has its own quiz and SCORM content, so later changes do not affect the original. Links created with Link to Lesson still point to their original target lesson, so review internal lesson links in the copy before publishing it.
Select Delete, then confirm with Delete Lesson. This removes the lesson for you and your learners. If you delete the lesson that is open, Cademy returns you to the Course Content overview so you can choose another lesson.
Adding, duplicating and deleting lessons takes effect immediately. For section names, section order and lessons you drag or move, select the main Save button before leaving the course editor.
Edit a lesson
Select a lesson to open it. On a wider screen, the lesson list stays available on the left, where you can open another lesson, drag lessons into a new order or use New to add a lesson or section. You can resize or hide this list when you need more editing space. On a smaller screen, use the menu button to open the lesson list as a drawer.
Set the lesson details
Published makes the lesson available to eligible learners, subject to its schedule.
Draft hides the lesson from learners.
Schedule controls when the lesson is released and whether it has a due date.
Icon adds a recognisable icon to the lesson list.
Cover adds a wide image at the top of the learner's lesson page.
The title names the lesson. The description gives learners a short summary before they open it.
Choose an icon and cover
Select Icon, then choose the Emoji or Icon tab. The Icon tab lets you search and select an optional colour. Use Clear to remove the current icon.
Select Cover, then choose an image from the media picker or upload a new one.
After adding a cover, use Change Cover to choose another image or Remove to remove it.
Recommended cover image size
Recommended starting format: 2400 × 600 px with a 4:1 ratio. This is practical support guidance to reduce unexpected cropping, not a required upload size. Other image sizes can work.
Cover images are automatically cropped from the centre to fit different screen sizes. For a 2400 × 600 px image, use this safe-area guidance to reduce the chance of important details being cut off:
Keep text, logos, faces and important details inside the central 1320 × 330 px safe area.
Leave at least 540 px on the left and right.
Leave at least 135 px at the top and bottom.
Use the area outside the safe zone for background imagery only.
Lesson status and course visibility are separate.
A lesson must be Published for learners to see it, but the course must also be shared with the correct audience. Use the course's Share settings to control who can find or access the course.
Add and format content
Select the empty content area and start typing. Press / on an empty line to open the block menu, or use one of the suggested blocks shown in a new lesson. You can search the menu by typing the block name.
To continue writing after the final block, select the blank space directly below it. The editor adds or focuses an empty text line where you can type or press /. Repeated clicks do not add a stack of empty lines.
Rich Text
Text, Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3, Bulleted list, Numbered list, Checklist, Quote, Code Block, Toggle, Callout, Divider, Button Link and Table. Use these for written content, headings, lists, highlighted information, expandable sections, links and structured data.
Media
Image, Media & Text, Video, Audio, File, PDF and Embed. Use these for images, recordings, downloads, inline PDF documents and external content.
Layout
2 Columns and 3 Columns. Use these to place compatible content side by side.
Lesson Blocks
Quiz, SCORM and Gallery. Use these for assessments, interactive SCORM packages and image collections.
Format text
Select text to open the formatting toolbar. You can change the block with Turn Into, then apply bold, italic, underline, strikethrough, inline code, a link, alignment, font size, text colour or highlight colour.
You can also type these shortcuts at the start of an empty line:
#,##or###for Heading 1, Heading 2 or Heading 3.-for a bulleted list and1.for a numbered list.[]for a checklist.|for a quote and>for a toggle.```for a code block.---for a divider.
Use headings to structure longer lessons
When a saved lesson contains at least two non-empty Heading 1, Heading 2 or Heading 3 blocks, the learner lesson page shows a slim set of heading indicators beside the content on wider screens. Each heading level uses a different line length. Moving the pointer over an indicator shows the heading text, and selecting it takes the learner directly to that heading.
The indicators are hidden on smaller screens and when there is not enough space beside the lesson. Learners can still move through the lesson normally.
Move, duplicate or delete a block
Move your pointer to the left of a block. Select the plus button to add a new block below it. Use the drag handle to move the block or open its menu, then select Duplicate or Delete. You can also select several blocks on the canvas and move or remove them together.
Useful block details
Button Link: at the main lesson level, link to another published lesson with Link to Lesson, or enter an external Button URL. Draft lessons are not available in the lesson picker.
Embed: paste a secure web link or iframe embed code. Some services, including YouTube, are recognised automatically.
Image, Video and Audio: choose an item from the media picker or upload a new one. Select an added item to change it. Images can also be resized.
Media & Text: combine an image and written content. You can swap sides, align the image to the top, centre or bottom, resize it, replace it or delete the block.
File: add a file as an attachment for learners to download. If the uploaded file is a PDF, select Show as Embed to display it inside the page instead.
PDF: embed a PDF inside the lesson. Select Show as Card if you want it to appear as a downloadable attachment instead.
Gallery: select several images from the media picker. You can add or remove images, then use the arrows or thumbnails to preview them. In the learner lesson, selecting the main image opens a larger view.
Quote: highlight a quotation in a separate block with a vertical line.
Code Block: present code in a separate styled container.
Table: use the plus controls around the table to add rows or columns. Keep table cells to supported text content. File and Embed blocks placed inside table cells can be removed when the lesson is saved.
Callout: select its leading emoji to choose another one. The block menu also includes Color.
Toggle: place supporting content inside a section that learners can open and close.
Checklist: create a list learners can tick and untick. Choices are stored only in that browser for each checklist item. They are not tied to the learner account and do not count towards lesson or course completion.
Choose how learners see a PDF
After uploading a PDF, you can present it in either of these ways:
As an attachment: add it with the File block, or select Show as Card on an embedded PDF. Learners see a file card they can download.
As an embed: add it with the PDF block, or select Show as Embed on a PDF file card. Learners can read the document inside the lesson.
Allow Download is on by default for an embedded PDF. Turn it off to hide the viewer's Download button. The embedded learner viewer includes the file name, page count, zoom and full-screen controls.
You can also add a PDF to the course description.
Go to Courses > [course] > Edit Course > Description, type / and select PDF. A course description can appear on the public course page, depending on the course's sharing settings, so only add documents intended for that audience.
Add a quiz
The Quiz block is a compact summary. It shows the quiz title, question count, the first two questions, pass mark, whether retakes are allowed and whether passing is required to complete the lesson. If Automatic Where Possible is selected and the quiz contains Long Text or File Upload questions, the summary explains which answer types are accepted automatically, for example Long text and file upload answers are auto-accepted. If Manual is selected, the summary shows Manual marking.
On an empty line, type
/and select Quiz.Select Edit Quiz on the quiz card.
Enter a quiz title.
Select Add Question, then choose a question type.
Add the question, answer options and any feedback. Use the drag handle to reorder questions.
Open Quiz Settings to set grading, attempts, completion and notifications.
Select the main Save button. This saves the quiz and the lesson containing it.
Question types
Multiple Choice
Add answer options. In Question Settings, turn on Allow multiple answers if needed, then use Answer Is Correct When to require All Correct Options Selected or Any Correct Option Selected.
Short Answer
Add the correct answer. In Question Settings, use Answer must match exactly when capitalisation and surrounding spaces should matter.
Number
Add the correct number, then set an allowed Tolerance in Question Settings.
Long Text
Set Minimum Word Count, Maximum Word Count and an optional Answer Placeholder. Choose manual marking when you need to assess the answer itself.
File Upload
Add Upload Instructions, then set the minimum and maximum number of files and Maximum File Size (MB). Choose manual marking when you need to assess the uploaded files.
Every question can have a Description or Upload Instructions and an Internal Note. Internal notes are only visible to the people marking the quiz. Multiple Choice, Short Answer and Number questions can also include Feedback When Correct and Feedback When Incorrect. Use Delete Question inside Question Settings to remove a question.
Quiz settings
Pass Mark: enter a value from 0% to 100%.
Marking: choose Automatic Where Possible or Manual. With automatic marking, valid Long Text and File Upload answers that meet the question requirements are accepted as correct when submitted. The quiz summary names every affected answer type, for example Long text and file upload answers are auto-accepted. Choose Manual if you need to review their content; the quiz summary then shows Manual marking.
Allow Retakes: allow failed learners to try again, either Unlimited or up to 1, 2, 3, 5 or 10 retakes.
Required to Complete the Lesson: prevent learners from completing the lesson and moving on until they pass.
Notify Me When a Student Fails: email the course facilitators after a failed attempt.
If you choose Manual, the submission must be reviewed. System Admins, Course Owners and Facilitators can open Inbox to work through quiz submissions, or open a learner's registration and use Lesson Progress > Quiz Submission. They can view uploaded files and mark each answer before saving the result.
There are no per-question points or question shuffle settings.
Each question contributes one result to the quiz score. The available settings control the pass mark, marking method, retakes, lesson completion and failure notifications.
Removing a quiz is permanent after you save the lesson.
When you remove a Quiz block and select Save, Cademy asks you to confirm with Delete Quiz & Save. If you removed several Quiz blocks, it uses Delete Quizzes & Save. The quizzes and their questions are deleted, but learner responses already submitted are kept.
Add a SCORM package
SCORM requires a plan that includes it. The editor supports SCORM 1.2 packages supplied as a .zip file. SCORM 2004 is not supported.
On an empty line, type
/and select SCORM.Select Upload File to upload a SCORM 1.2
.zip, or select Media Library to reuse a package already in your library.Wait while the package is processed.
Under Presentation, choose Inline or Full Screen.
Turn on Students must complete this package to finish the lesson if SCORM completion should be required.
Select Save.
Inline is the default. It shows the package at its normal size within the lesson content. On supported browsers and devices, learners can select Full Screen to expand the same running package over the page, then select Exit Full Screen to return to the lesson. On a desktop keyboard, Escape also closes the expanded player.
Full Screen presentation makes the package fill the lesson viewer below the top bar as soon as the learner opens it. Use this when the package should be the only content in that lesson. The separate learner Full Screen button is not shown because the package already fills the viewer.
After adding a package, select Replace if you need to use a different file. When completion is required, learners cannot complete the lesson until the package reports completion. For a registered learner, Cademy records the completion status and resume information reported by the SCORM package.
Use a test learner to test tracked SCORM activity.
Preview as Student can launch the package in a temporary preview session, but it does not save learner progress, completion or resume information. To test tracked launch, progress, resume and completion, register a test learner on the course and open the lesson from that learner's account. If a package does not upload or launch correctly, see Troubleshooting SCORM Courses.
Host the course on another platform
Use Host Externally when the course content is delivered on another website or learning platform instead of inside Cademy. This is available for on-demand and blended courses.
Open the course and select Edit Course.
Select Settings, then open Advanced Settings.
Turn on Host Externally.
Add the link, login steps or other learner instructions under Content Access Details.
Save the course.
Approved learners see these instructions in the Course Access area of their booking or order. The details can also be included in their order confirmation email. Make sure the instructions contain everything a learner needs to open the external course.
Content Access Details are for externally hosted courses.
For a course delivered inside Cademy, use Course Welcome Content for information learners should receive after booking.
Schedule a lesson and set a due date
Open the lesson and select Schedule.
Under Scheduling Options, choose Immediate access or Schedule a release date.
For a scheduled release, choose Specific Date & Time and enter the Release Date, or choose Relative to entering the course and enter the Days after enrollment.
Under Due Date Options, choose No due date or Set a due date.
If you set a due date, choose a specific date and time or a time relative to entering the course.
Select Done, then select the lesson's main Save button.
A due date tells the learner when the lesson should be completed. It does not hide the lesson or stop access after that date.
Save your work
Do not rely on autosave. Before leaving the editor, select Save, or press Cmd+S on a Mac or Ctrl+S on Windows. When the current screen has unsaved work, the top bar shows Unsaved changes. Saving stores the open lesson or quiz together with any pending section and ordering changes. It does not change any other lesson.
If you try to leave a changed lesson, Cademy asks whether to Cancel, Discard Changes or Save Lesson. If you are editing a quiz, the save option is shown as Save Quiz or Save Changes, depending on where you are going next.
Avoid editing the same lesson in two browser tabs or at the same time as another person.
If two saved versions compete, the most recent save replaces the earlier version.
Preview the learner experience
Save a new course at least once. Preview as Student is not shown until the course has been saved.
Select Preview as Student from the Course Content overview, a lesson or the quiz editor. Previewing from a lesson or quiz opens that lesson directly.
If the lesson has unsaved changes, choose one of these options:
Save & Preview to save first and open the updated learner view.
Preview Without Saving to open the last saved version.
Cancel to stay in the editor.
Review the saved course or lesson in the new tab. The banner says Previewing as admin. Progress is not tracked. You can also preview a Draft lesson, which is marked Unpublished so it cannot be mistaken for content learners can access.
Admin preview does not reproduce every registered learner behaviour.
It does not track progress, submit quiz answers, launch tracked SCORM activity or enforce registration-based lesson locks. Use a test learner registration to test schedules, locks, quiz and SCORM completion, and learner progress.
What learners see
Navigate between lessons
On a wider screen, the course's sections and lessons appear in a sidebar. The current section opens automatically, and Cademy keeps the current lesson easy to find as learners move through the course. Learners can open and close sections, hide or show the sidebar, and drag its edge to make it narrower or wider. Double-clicking the resize control returns it to its standard width.
On a smaller screen, the lesson list opens as a drawer. The header shows the course name and the learner's current Lesson [number] of [total]. The lesson content, scheduled-content messages and other cards fit the screen without sideways page scrolling.
Published lessons they are eligible to access. Draft lessons stay hidden and do not appear in the learner's progress. System Admins and Course Owners can still open them in admin preview, where they are labelled Unpublished.
Sections and lessons in the order saved in the editor. Empty sections are hidden.
Lesson icons, descriptions and up to three small content-type hints in the course outline. Moving the pointer over a hint shows its label, such as Video, Quiz or Interactive.
The cover image and saved content blocks inside each lesson.
Clickable heading indicators beside a lesson with at least two headings when there is enough screen space.
PDFs shown either as downloadable attachments or inside the lesson, according to the option selected by the course provider.
Scheduled lessons when their release conditions have been met.
Quiz or SCORM completion requirements before completing the lesson or moving on.
Checklist items they can tick and untick. Choices are stored only in that browser for each checklist item. They are not tied to the learner account and are separate from lesson progress.
The public course page also shows the richer course outline. It displays the number of sections and lessons, hides empty sections, uses the correct singular or plural wording and does not number the lessons.
Frequently asked questions
Why can I not see the Contents tab?
Check that the course is on-demand or blended. The Contents tab is not used for a class-only course. You must be a System Admin or Course Owner to edit course content; Facilitators cannot open the course editor.
Can I reuse a quiz from another lesson?
There is not currently a quiz library in the course content editor. Duplicating a lesson creates an independent copy of its quiz, which you can then edit without changing the original.
Why can a learner not see a lesson?
Check that the lesson is Published, its release schedule has been reached and the learner has access to the course. Also check the course's sharing and visibility settings.
Can I preview a Draft lesson?
Yes. System Admins and Course Owners can open a Draft lesson with Preview as Student. It is labelled Unpublished in the preview. Learners cannot see it, and it is not included in their lesson progress.
Why does Preview as Student not show my latest changes?
The learner preview only shows saved content. Return to the editor and select Save, or choose Save & Preview when prompted.
Why can I not see Preview as Student?
The course must be saved before the preview button appears. Save the course, then return to its Contents tab.
Why can I not add a SCORM block?
SCORM must be included in your Cademy plan. Check whether your plan includes SCORM or contact Cademy support if the option is unavailable.
Which SCORM version can I upload?
Upload a SCORM 1.2 package as a .zip file. SCORM 2004 packages are not supported.
Why does a SCORM block show Invalid package?
Replace it with a valid SCORM 1.2 .zip package. If the replacement is also rejected or does not launch, follow the checks in Troubleshooting SCORM Courses.
Can I show a PowerPoint presentation inside a lesson?
An uploaded PowerPoint presentation is added as a downloadable file. To display its slides inside the lesson, export it as a PDF and use the PDF block.
Does ticking a checklist complete the lesson?
No. Checklist choices are stored only in that browser for each checklist item. They are not tied to the learner account and are separate from lesson and course completion.
When should I use Host Externally?
Use it when learners complete the course on another website or learning platform. Add the access link and instructions under Content Access Details. For a course delivered inside Cademy, use Course Welcome Content instead.
What should I do if the Course Content screen does not load?
Select Retry. If the error continues, contact Cademy support and include the course name and the time the problem occurred.
Does deleting a quiz delete learners' submitted responses?
No. Saving after removing the Quiz block permanently deletes the quiz and its questions, but responses that learners already submitted are kept.
Do due dates block access after the deadline?
No. A due date communicates when the lesson should be completed. Use the release schedule to control when the lesson first becomes available.