Blackboard users who are accustomed to desktop publishing software may become frustrated with the lack of text formatting options from within the standard WYSIWYG text editor. When including large blocks of text within a course, users may desire to adjust leading (A.K.A. line spacing) and/or paragraph/bullet point spacing. Properly adjusted leading can improve readability and aesthetics, reducing the “cramped” look that can result from lengthy, single spaced paragraphs.

Adjust Line Spacing

First, edit your content item.
Select all of the text you would like to adjust.
Click the Edit CSS Style button:

Screenshot of the Blackboard text editor

To change line spacing, adjust the “Line Height” value:

Click on the first dropdown to the right of Line Height and select (Value).
Enter a different value here, such as 1.5. You can further customize the unit of measurement in the adjacent dropdown, or simply leave it blank.
Click Update.

Screenshot of the Blackboard Edit CSS Style window

Adjust Paragraph Spacing

One final trick is adjusting space-after, or paragraph spacing, using the HTML editor. When bulleting multiple lines of text, it can become messy looking, as it becomes difficult to see where each bullet is separated:

Adding a margin to the bullets resolves this issue. After you bullet-out your text, select all, and open the HTML editor. You will see <li> before each bullet’s text. Change this to <li style=”margin-bottom: Xpx;”> where X is your value (I used 10 in the following picture):

Screenshot of the Blackboard HTML code view

QILT is here to help you!

Meet With Us or Submit a Request

If you need help with Canvas, remember there are 24/7/365 phone and chat support options in the Canvas Help menu.

Additional Resources

View full knowledgebase →

View all teaching and learning resources →

Blackboard: Copying a Blackboard Course for a New Semester

Migration: Where can I see how Canvas compares to our current version of Blackboard? (For Faculty & Staff)

Course Management: When will my courses be removed from Blackboard? (For Faculty & Staff)

Quizzes: Troubleshooting Missing Images in Tests Imported from Blackboard to Canvas

Course Management: Exporting Course Content from Blackboard to Canvas

Course Management: Migrating Tests and Pools from Blackboard Original to Canvas

VoiceThread: Creating Student Groups in VoiceThread in Blackboard Learn

Blackboard: Creating a Discussion Forum in Blackboard Learn

VoiceThread: Setting Up Group Presentations with VoiceThread in Blackboard Learn

Migration: Blackboard and Canvas: What’s Different?

VoiceThread: Grade Not Appearing in Blackboard Grade Center

Blackboard: Adding Images in the Rich Content Editor

Blackboard: Adding a Tool to the Course Sidebar

Blackboard: Creating a File Upload Assignment

Blackboard: Adding Content Areas to the Course Sidebar

Blackboard: Blackboard Basics - Setting Up for Success!

Enhancing Student Success through Effective Grading and Feedback in the LMS

VoiceThread: Adding a VoiceThread to Your Blackboard Learn Classic Course

Blackboard: Replying to a Video Discussion Board in Blackboard Learn Classic with YuJa Video

Blackboard: Creating a Video Discussion Board in Blackboard Learn Classic with YuJa Video

Blackboard: Adjusting Line and Paragraph Spacing in Blackboard Learn

Blackboard: Adding a Course Banner or Course Card Photo in Blackboard Learn

Blackboard: Optimizing Web Links in Your Courses