New DesignPLUS Sidebar
- Rob Caldwell
The new DesignPLUS Sidebar is easier to use out of the box (especially for new and basic users), more intuitive to customize, and contains many new features. A lot has changed, so we recommend looking through the training materials provided on this page.
If you used the tools previously, you may need to use the following guide to get the tools to appear again in your Canvas.
Currently, DesignPLUS defaults to using the new and improved sidebar.
To ease the transition, you'll be able to switch between the new editor and the legacy version until December 31, 2024. After this date, only the new sidebar will be available.
Getting Started with the new DesignPLUS Sidebar
Opening the DesignPLUS Sidebar in Canvas
To open the DesignPLUS sidebar in Canvas, use the keyboard shortcut Alt-Shift-D (Windows) or Option-Shift-D (Mac) any time you are editing content in canvas to open the tools.
You must be editing content in Canvas for the keyboard shortcuts to work. If neither of these shortcuts work, you can also try Ctrl-1.
Automatically show launch button
Once the Sidebar opens, we recommend changing your user settings to always show the launch button. Then, you will be able to click on the launch button to launch the DesignPLUS sidebar and will not need to use the keyboard shortcut.
To do this:
Use the kebab menu to go to “User Settings”
And check the box next to Show Launch Button.
Switching to the Legacy Sidebar (optional)
NCSSM is set up to default to the new sidebar, but anyone can switch between using the new sidebar and the legacy sidebar at any time. You can switch between versions using the Keyboard Shortcuts (Alt/Option-Shift-V)
If you wish to switch back to using the legacy sidebar on pages that have not been upgraded, you can also do the following:
In the new sidebar, click the kebab menu to open the more options menu. Select User Settings.
Choose to Switch to the legacy sidebar
While editing with the legacy sidebar, if you ever attempt to edit content that has already been upgraded to work with the new sidebar, you will be prompted to switch to the new sidebar to edit the content.
Switching back to the New Sidebar from the legacy sidebar
NCSSM is set up to default to the new sidebar, but anyone can switch between using the new sidebar and the legacy sidebar at any time. You can switch between versions using the Keyboard Shortcuts (Alt/Option-Shift-V)
If you are using the legacy sidebar and wish to switch to the new sidebar:
To switch from the legacy sidebar:
Click the gear icon in the legacy sidebar
Select Try New Version. The page will reload with the option to load the new sidebar.
We recommend enabling the “Show Launch Button” in the new sidebar the first time you open it. To do this:
Click on the kebab menu in the new sidebar. This will open the “more” menu. Select User Settings.
Select “Show Launch Button”
The first time you use the new sidebar to edit a page, you will be prompted to update the content on the page to work with the new sidebar.
Select Go to the Upgrade Tool and upgrade all elements on the page.
Once you upgrade page elements, you will only be able to use the new sidebar to edit the page. You cannot revert back to editing with the legacy sidebar once page elements are upgraded.
User Guide
New DesignPLUS User Guide - the user guide includes general information, tool specific guides, screenshots, and release notes.
Training Resources
Getting Started Video
Additional Tutorial Videos
Getting Started with DesignPLUS Email Training Series
Filling out this DesignPLUS training form will launch a series of five emails, each with a different one-hour video training designed to help you learn how to use DesignPLUS effectively. Feel free to watch as many of them as suits your individual needs!
For additional one-on-one help getting started with DesignPLUS, or to schedule a training session for small groups, contact TLC.
Helpful Guides
Building a Basic Page - This document has a quick start for building basic page content with a suggested workflow.
Building a Homepage - This document has a quick start for building basic front page components.
Styling Plain Content - Instructions and screenshots for styling basic content such as headings, page title, images, links, and tables.
Styling Legacy Content - If you've been using the legacy sidebar for a while and have lots of pages with legacy content, this guide will help you see how to upgrade a page so that it is compatible with the new Sidebar.
Integrating DesignPLUS Content into Existing Content - How can you immediately start integrating DesignPLUS content into existing pages? See how the new Sidebar can insert content anywhere; you don't have to start with a blank page.