Arrange an introduction with Layout

Layout helps you arrange an introduction and the course objectives display on a single content page or the cover. Nothing on the page changes until you choose Use layout. One Undo reverses the whole layout.

Open Layout

1. Open a content page or the cover in the studio (not a chapter or quiz page).
2. Open the toolbar AI control or the inspector AI Assist tab.
3. Choose Layout (next to Assist).
4. Confirm the page title shown under Layout.

Choose insert or rearrange

Under Intent, choose whether to add an introduction or rearrange blocks already on the page.

Add an introduction layout

1. Choose Add an introduction layout.
2. Use Insert at to choose Start of page or a position After an existing block. On a cover with a leading title, the default keeps that title above the new introduction.
3. Enter Introduction text, or choose Draft an introduction. Review the draft, then choose Use this text or Discard. If you already entered text, Use this text asks Replace your introduction? before replacing it.
4. If the page already shows course objectives, choose Don’t add another objectives display to insert only the introduction. To work with the existing display instead, choose Rearrange the existing objectives display and select its blocks. Your introduction text is kept if you switch back.
5. Review the Request, then choose Generate layout options.

If drafting fails, you see Couldn’t draft an introduction. Write one yourself or try again. You can continue with your own text. Drafting and generating options do not change the saved page; the layout applies only when you choose Use layout.

Layout setup showing Insert at, Introduction text, and the request before generating options. Full-resolution PNG

Rearrange existing blocks

1. Choose Rearrange existing blocks.
2. Set First block and Last block to choose a contiguous range of top-level blocks.
3. Review the suggested Slot for each block: Introduction text, Course objectives display, Next step callout, or Orientation tabs. Adjust a slot when needed. Unsupported blocks and invalid combinations show an explanation; revise the range or assignments before continuing.
4. Review the Request, then choose Generate layout options.

Both choices include a Request field. Its default is “Help me put together the objectives and course introduction on this page.” Edit it to describe what you want; the field accepts up to 2,000 characters.

Layout setup showing First block, Last block, and slot assignments for the introduction and course objectives. Full-resolution PNG

Review options

For an introduction longer than 800 characters, Layout shows a note recommending a reading layout. This is advice, not a restriction: you can still choose columns. Compare the phone preview and check whether a shorter objectives column leaves distracting empty space beside the introduction.

You will see one to three Layout options as a radio group, for example:

• Clear introduction
• Side by side
• Outcomes first

Use Desktop, Tablet, and Phone under Native preview to check reading order at different widths. The preview is isolated; your saved page does not change until Use layout. It does not load private media or uploaded fonts. Use the course’s Preview after applying the layout to check its full appearance and interactions.

The Changes summary lists reused blocks, moved blocks, new wrappers, new text blocks, and new blocks and containers, and confirms Objective catalog unchanged. Under Bound slots, each region slot shows a readable block label (for example text block 2). Required slots must be resolved before Use layout is enabled.

If you edit the page while options are open, the panel shows This page changed. Generate fresh options and disables Use layout until you regenerate against a clean snapshot.

Apply and undo

1. Select the layout you want.
2. Choose Use layout.
3. Wait for Saved. Saving… or Applied locally. Saving… means the server has not yet confirmed the save.
4. Press Undo or Ctrl/Cmd+Z once to restore the previous block order and IDs.

If saving fails or another version conflicts with yours, follow the displayed message and the saving and recovery guidance. An applied local layout is not proof of a confirmed server save.

Before you choose Use layout, Cancel or Esc closes comparison without applying the proposal. Your introduction, request, and insertion choices stay in the form so you can revise them and generate fresh options. Focus returns to Generate layout options, or to the visible Layout or toolbar AI control if the form is no longer available. Regenerate refreshes the options inside comparison. Opening another page starts a new layout request.

Limits

• Content pages and cover — one page or the course cover, one region; chapter and quiz pages are not supported.
• One region — contiguous top-level blocks only; nested columns and unsupported block types are refused with an explanation.
• No new objectives — Layout reuses approved course objectives; it does not draft, approve, or retire objective records. If you need approved objectives, open Learning Design and use Goals & objectives (or Results with backward design on), then return to Layout and generate fresh options.
• Course-wide objectives display — the objectives block shows the approved course catalog, not a page-only subset.

For text and block edits on the same page, continue to use Assist in the same AI Assist panel.