Purpose Statement
Adding a document to a custom online course allows training administrators to provide reference materials, handouts, policies, procedures, or other supporting content directly within a First Due online course.
Documents can be configured as required course content when attendees must review them to receive credit, or they can be included as optional reference material.
Background Information
Documents are one of the content types that can be added while building a custom online course in the Training module.
To add a document, the course must either be in Draft Status or Published so long as it has not been assigned to another user. Adding content is one of the next steps in creating an online course. Each available content type is optional and can be added based on the needs of the course.
Document files can be uploaded by browsing files on your device or by dragging and dropping the file into the upload area.
The maximum supported file size is 50 MB.
Important Note: This is part of a series of steps to create a custom online course. While each content type is not required to create an online course, they are presented in order here for efficient presentation.
Step 1: Course Builder - Overview
Step 2: Adding an mp4
Step 3: Adding a Document (This Step)
Step 4: Adding an Audio File
Step 5: Adding a Quiz
Step 6: Adding a SCORM file
Step 7: Adding an External Link
Required Permissions
Users must have access to the Training module and sufficient role permissions to create or edit courses within the Course Library.
Because permission configurations may vary by agency, contact your First Due administrator if you can access Training but cannot edit a draft course or add course content.
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Step-by-Step Guide
Navigate to the Course Library
From the First Due navigation menu, select Training, then select Course Library.
Open a Draft Course
Locate and open the custom online course you want to continue building.
The course must be in Draft status to add or modify course content.
Open the Add Content Menu
Navigate to the Course Content area of the course.
Select Add Content.
Select Document
From the available content types, select Document.
Enter the Content Name
Enter a Content Name that clearly identifies the document for course attendees.
Choose Whether the Document Is Required
Enable the Required toggle if attendees must complete this document content to receive credit for the course.
Leave the toggle turned off if the document should be included in the course but is not required for completion.
Optional documents are useful for reference materials or supplemental information that attendees may need to access without affecting course completion.
Upload the Document
Upload the document using either of the available methods:
- Select the upload area to browse for the file on your device.
- Drag and drop a supported document file into the upload area.
The maximum file size is 50 MB.
Review the Uploaded Document
After the document has been imported, select the View icon to preview the uploaded item.
To remove the uploaded document, select the X.
- Save the Content - Select Save Content in the Course Content List
Save or Publish the Course
Select Preview to preview the entire course content
Select Save Draft at the top of the course if you plan to continue working on it later.
Select Publish if the course is complete and ready for attendee enrollment.
Best Practices
- Use a clear and descriptive Content Name so attendees understand what the document contains before opening it.
- Enable Required only when reviewing the document is necessary for course completion or credit.
- Leave reference-only materials optional when they do not need to affect an attendee's completion status.
- Preview the uploaded document using the View icon before publishing the course.
- Verify that the correct document was uploaded before making the course available for enrollment.
- Keep uploaded files at or below the 50 MB maximum file size.
- Use Save Draft when additional course content or configuration is still needed.
- Review all course content before selecting Publish.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Why can't I add a document to the course?
The option to edit the course is no longer available. Courses in Draft status and those in published but have yet to be assigned are the only statuses that allow further editing. If the course has already been used, a new version must be created.
What is the maximum document file size?
The maximum file size for an uploaded document is 50 MB.
Does a document have to be required?
No. Leave the Required toggle off when the document is intended only as supplemental or reference material.
What happens when I make the document required?
The document becomes part of the required course content that attendees must complete to receive credit for the course.
How can I verify that I uploaded the correct file?
After the document is imported, select the View icon to review it.
How do I remove an uploaded document?
Select the X next to the uploaded document to remove it.
Should I select Save Draft or Publish?
Select Save Draft if you are still building or reviewing the course. Select Publish when the course is complete and ready for attendee enrollment.