SMPH KB Features Template
This page is a template page showing general features available for format of the KB pages and the structure that should be followed when creating new pages.
The format of this page follows basic accessibility standards and allows for a uniform layout between all SMPH Informatics KB pages.
Basic Contents Menu - No Icons
The Basic Menu is a generic menu. It is meant as a single row of items using an unordered list of links. This menu will adapt to sizing of the screen but it is best to avoid putting more than 6-8 items in a single row to avoid page overflow. If more options are needed it is possible to add a new row to the menu by adding a new menu list below the first. Keep menu item titles short but clear. To open links in a new tab include target="_blank"
in the <a> parameters.
Basic Menu Code:
<ul class="kbmenu">
<li><a href="#ref1">Title 1</a></li>
<li><a href="#ref2">Title 2</a></li>
<li><a href="#ref3">Title 3</a></li>
<li><a href="https://link.wisc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Link Title</a></li>
</ul>
Vertical Contents Menu - No Icons
The Vertical Contents Menu is a generic left hand panel menu. It is meant as a single column of items using an unordered list of links. There is no limit to the number of items that can be added to the list of links.
Paragraph content will be displayed alongside the vertical menu to the right of the page. Any headers used will automatically be snapped to the bottom of the menu and displayed underneath.
Vertical Menu Code:
<ul class="kbvertmenu">
<li><a href="#ref1">Title 1</a></li>
<li><a href="#ref2">Title 2</a></li>
<li><a href="#ref3">Title 3</a></li>
</ul>
Icon Contents Menu
![]() Page Structure |
![]() Video Embedding |
![]() Images & Buttons |
![]() Table Layouts |
![]() Accessibility |
![]() External Link |
---|
The Icon Contents Menu is a modified table to display clickable icons with links. This table can be useful for illustrating processes or guides for users and/or giving visual feedback for the purpose of the link. This table will adjust size to fit on a KB page, but it is also recommended to use no more than 6-8 items in the menu row.
A folder of different icons is included in the Shared Document Folder for all SMPH Informatics KB pages. Other Icons can be included by uploading the icon image file into the KB Documents attachment folder.
Icon Contents Menu Code:
<table class="iconmenu"><caption>Caption Text</caption>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th scope="col"><a href="#id1"><img src="/filelocation/img1.png" role="presentation"><br>Title1</a></th>
<td scope="col"><a href="#id2"><img src="/filelocation/img2.png" role="presentation"><br>Title2</a></td>
<td scope="col"><a href="#id3"><img src="/filelocation/img3.png" role="presentation"><br>Title3</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Sections and Styling
If the page is for a user guide, the first paragraph should include a brief overview and introduction of the topic.
Headings in HTML are titles or subtitles that you want to display on a webpage. They provide the overall organization of your website and its content. Assistive technologies, browsers, and plug-ins rely on proper heading structures to accurately relay information to users.
If a KB page's topic is very broad, it is worth breaking the topic into sub-topics that can be covered in more depth in a clear structure. Heading formats should always follow numerical order from broadest coverage of the topic to most detailed sub-headings.
Example:
H2: Recipes
H3: My Favorite Recipes
H4: Quick and Easy Recipes
H5: Spaghetti
Recipe for how you make spaghetti.
H5: Hamburgers
Recipe for how you make a hamburger.
H5: Tacos
- Beef Tacos
- Chicken Tacos
- Fish Tacos
Bullet Points
Numerical Bullet Points (ordered list)
- Top bullet example
- Tier 2 bullet example
- Tier 3 bullet example
- Tier 2 bullet example
Circular Bullet Points (unordered list)
- Top bullet example
- Tier 2 bullet example
- Tier 3 bullet example
- Tier 2 bullet example
Bullet points numbering or icons can be changed using the bullet point drop downs in the editor menu if a different format is desired.
Bold Font
Use bold when emphasizing a single word or specific name of a feature within a sentence.
For navigation pathway steps, bold the title of the folder for each of the steps.
For example, Regulatory folder > Study Conduct folder > Study Supplies folder (the folder names as they appear within eBinders are in bold).
Highlighting
When using highlighting on text, use highlighter color = yellow. Other highlighter colors may be used if they denote different features in a passage and it is clearly denoted the meaning of each additional color.
Ensure the color of the highlighter still meets accessibility standards and the text is easily able to be seen through the color.
Links and Attachments
Links to other external pages outside of UW pages or other internal KB pages should be set to open in a new tab.
- External links - new tab
- Internal, temp links - new tab
- Internal to internal - current window
<p>Check out <a href="https://kb.wisc.edu/smph/informatics/96709 target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">UW KB Pages</a>.</p>
Linking in Attachments
In lists, format links to attachments and/or surveys like this: [Title of Document] ([Type of Document])
- Type of Document: DOC, PDF, XLS, VSD, REDCap
- Examples: Florence Monitor Access Request Form (REDCap); Time Tracker (XLS)
Linking to External Resources
Naming convention for links to external resources in a list form (not paragraph form): [Website owning entity name]: [Document/resource/website name]
Examples:
- UW Health: Cloudfax for Consent Forms in Health Link
- Advarra: Institutional Review Board (IRB)
- UWCCC: Data & Safety Monitoring Committee Membership
Footer
At the end of the KB document include a footer with contact information for SMPH support relavent to the topic. This should provide resources to users if they still need guidance for questions not found within the KB pages.
Document Linking
If KB page is developed for topic that is related to additional KB pages, the document should be linked to the other relavent pages. At the bottom of the KB page editor there is an option to insert the document numbers (e.g. 122913) for related documents. Documents linked will display links at the bottom of the KB page for users to click on and travel to the next page.

The formatting on this page is using a standardized SMPH Informatics KB CSS Stylesheet. New documents when created do not use the SMPH Informatics stylesheet by default. To include the style, either copy a document that has the style (such as this template) or add the style in the Additional Fields section of the KB editor by inserting <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/images/group461/shared/css/smph_kb_settings.css">
into the JavaScript/CSS field.

Much of the CSS formatting will not display within the KB Editor. To see how the display will look to users, you can select "Preview" at the bottom of the editor window and change the preview from "KB Admin View" to "Internal" or "External" view.
Items using Javascript will not function in the preview (such as accordion buttons). Check that accordion buttons are working by either internally publishing the page to view in the SMPH KB or saving the draft and viewing the preview of the page in the KB Admin tools prior to clicking into the editor.
Additional notes on section formatting:
- Heading 2 should not be used in the body of this page. This heading is used for the page title only.
- Within these headings other visual or detail elements can be included such as Figures, Screenshots, Bullet lists and Tables.
- A "To the top" button can be included to send a user back to the top of the page where they will be able to see the navigation menu again. If a particular page is long, it is highly recommended to include the button within each section for user friendliness.
To the Top button: <a class="top" href="#">To the top</a>
- End each section with a horizontal ruler <hr> tag.
- A summary is required in the KB editor. If a summary is not needed add a space ' ' to the summary box to remove the warning
Video Embedding
Videos are useful tools for displaying and walking through content to a user. Custom mp4 videos, webpage videos, and even webpages themselves can be embedded into the KB page to be viewed.
Transcripts should be provided when possible for video content that requires important audio information that is not otherwise noted or described on the page. A transcript can be added by uploading a document to the KB attachment folder and placing the link near the video it transcribes. When this link is clicked a copy of the file will be downloaded to the user's device. Some content, like YouTube videos, create their own auto-generated captions to allow users to read as the video plays but these are not always completely accurate. For custom videos, applications like Adobe Premiere can generate transcription documents that can be reviewed and edited for accuracy as needed.
Internal video example using mp4 file and <video>
Used for displaying video files using .mp4 or .ogg formatting. Video files are uploaded to the document attachment folder then linked to the video player. File size limit for uploaded files is 125mb.
Download Example Video Transcript
Internal Video File Code:
<p><video class="kbvideo" controls="controls">
<source src="/images/group461/122913/ExampleDemonstrationVideo.mp4" type="video/mp4" />
Transcript Code:
<a class="transcript" href="/images/group461/122913/Documents/TranscriptDocumentPlaceholder.docx">Link Description Here</a>
External video example using <iframe> with a youtube link
Used for linked a video that is hosted on an external site such as YouTube. Video URL is linked and displayed within KB page. Player controls will use controls of linked video which includes any captions, playback speed, and other settings that the external player offers.
External Video Link Code:
<p><iframe class="kbvideo" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RjpvOqZigao" title="YouTube video player" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
Embedded Website Page
Used for inserting a functional webpage viewer inside of the KB document. In the example below, it is used to display a request form within the page rather than redirecting by link. If the linked page has an auto active element (i.e. a search bar that you can type into without clicking into the box upon loading the page) then the KB page will snap down to the viewer upon load.
Page embedding will not work for all webpages and should be throughly tested before use.
Webpage Embedding Code:
<p><iframe class="kbvideo" src="https://it.med.wisc.edu/documents/general-it-support-request/" title="Webpage" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
Images and Buttons
Images
Below is an example of adding an image to the KB page. Images should be added as "figures" with a figure caption added beneath the image. Organize added images into sub-folders in the document's attachment folder to sort content and images into easily found groups. Create brief but descriptive image titles.

Added in html source code by creating a <figcaption></figcaption> within a <figure> block.
Most full-size images should be inserted within a <figure>
element. The shared CSS settings have styling for a figure and figure caption, and also an optional class that embeds a small figure floating on the right of the page.
Image Code:
<figure><img class="fig" src="/images/group461/122913/name.jpg" alt="alt text"><figcaption>"Caption"</figcaption></figure>
Additional notes on embedding images in a figure element:
- If you do not want the drop-shadow included, leave the
class="fig"
out of theimg
tag. - Use the figure caption within a figure element with the tag
<figcaption>
- don't forget to close thefigcaption
tag and thefigure
tag. - Unless an image is strictly decorative, include alt text that describes the image succinctly. This is the text a screen reader will read when it is focused on an image.
- When using screenshot editors like SnagIt, do not include a shadow border on the saved image. Shadows will be handled by the CSS settings with the
class="fig"
class.
Additional notes on styling images:
- Refer to the KB User Guide – Imaging Guidelines (https://kb.wisc.edu/kbGuide/4643)
- What to blur/remove
- If a real person’s full or last name is listed blur/remove entire name
- If a real study number is listed, blur/remove entire number, including letter(s) that precede the number
- Any PHI or other identifying information
- What to replace
- To be consistent, may replace study team member names with mock information
Graphic Key or Legend
Key
■ Item 1 Description
● Item 2 Description
A key or legend for table or graphic information can be included. This key is displayed on the right side of the screen (separated from other content) and any text can be used in the box to clarify the contents of the page graphic. Ensure all colors and descriptors for keys have both visual and descriptive meaning and are clearly readable on the page.
The key can scroll with content. If you would like the key to stay visible for longer content place a <div></div>
block around the area that is applicable to the key.
Key Code:
<div>
<h4>Graphic Key or Legend</h4>
<div class="key">
<h5>Key</h5>
<p><span>List Item 1</span></p>
<p><span>List Item 2</span></p>
<p><span>List Item 3</span></p>
</div>
<p>Content. Key will stop scrolling when it hits final div below</p>
</div>
The key on this page scrolls alongside this section on Keys and the Buttons section below. Any keys should come before the content they are relavent for.
Key scroll ends here.
Buttons
Buttons are useful tools for easy visual redirection to other links or resources. When using the button for a link, the button will open the link in a new tab in the browser.
Button Code:
<button class="kbbutton" type="button" onclick="window.open('http://google.com','_blank')"<Button Text</button>
Accordion Buttons
Accordions are clickable buttons that show and hide content after each click to help condense otherwise long list content.
Accordion panels are added by selecting the +/- button in the editor menu. They will be automatically formatted.
Linked Document
The Multi-Language Management module in REDCap gives you the ability to translate all text within REDCap - for logged-in users and for survey participants. Note that the MLM module does NOT translate any text for you. Multi-Language support is a tool where you can translate any kind of text found within REDCap (navigational buttons, REDCap instructional text, fields and options, emails, etc.)
![]() Basic Setup |
![]() Editing Multi-Language Setup in Production |
![]() Testing with Multiple Languages Enabled |
![]() Multi-Language Specific URLs & Action Tags |
![]() Support and Training for Multiple Languages |
---|
Basic Setup of Multi-Language Management
Adding a New Language
To add a new language into your project, navigate to "Multi-Language Management" on the left-side menu within REDCap. Click the green "+ Add a new langauge" button." A pop-up window will open, where you can provide a display name for the language you are adding. It is recommended to use the ISO code for the language that you are trying to add - you can use this reference of ISO codes for different language character sets.

Basic Language Settings
Once you have added multiple languages, you can choose which language you would like to be the Base Language (formerly "Default" language) for your project. SMPH REDCap has an overall base language language of US English. Once you add another language to your REDCap project, if you still want US English display to be an option, you should add that in as a language also (and if desired, set it as the base language.) You can also set a "Fallback" language - if you have not provided a translation for something in the selected language, but there is a translation in the language designated as a fallback, then this translation will display. The main Languages tab also allows you to designate if a language should be read from right-to-left by modifying the "RTL" setting.

Providing Translations for Instruments and Surveys:
Use the "Forms/Surveys" tab to provide translations for the fields in different instruments in your project. Make sure to select the language you want to provide translations for at the top of the page. Once you have selected a language, you can choose which instruments you want to translate. Note that you can choose to provide translations for the instrument as a data entry form, as a survey, or both.

Once you have selected an instrument, use the "Translate" link under "Fields" to provide translations. You can provide translations for all types of fields, and for all options within multiple choice fields.
If you are translating a survey, you can also provide translations for survey settings (e.g. the text that displays after a survey is completed), or for Automated Survey Invitations. If you provide translations for ASIs or Alerts/Notifications, you should also designate a field for storing a participant's language preference under the main Languages setup tab. (You may need to add a new field into the project to store this value.)
Providing Translations for Emails:
You can translate the text in ASIs under the "Forms/Surveys" tab. For alerts, navigate to the "Alerts" tab.
Providing Translations for User Interface Text:
The User Interface tab allows you to edit all other text found within REDCap. The most common settings you might want to translate include:
- Buttons like "Next" or "Submit."
- Text for 'Required' indicator for fields.
- The labels for Yes/No, True/False or date fields.
- Text that displays in pop-up if you have data validation set.
- Other survey-associated text, such as survey queue text, navigational buttons, or informational labels for signature or file upload fields.
Make Sure to Save!
When you are editing the Multi-Language setup, you must save your changes before leaving the MLM module page. If you do not save your changes, the edits you have made will be lost.

Importing Translations from Another Project:
The Forms/Surveys tab displays a download option for each instrument to allow you to export->import the translations for that single instrument in a project that has already translated the forms to another project that has the same instrument with the same fields and variable names.

After exporting from existing project, you can import the downloaded file on the Languages tab to transfer translation settings to a new project.

Appearance on Data Collection Instrument
When you have enabled Multi-Languages on a project, a drop-down menu will appear in the relevant instruments allowing a user/survey respondent to select the language they would like to display:

Adding/Editing Translations for a Project in Production
If your project is in Production, you will need to enter Draft Mode before you can change language settings or provide translations. Once you have entered Draft Mode, the MLM options will become available to you. Make sure to Save Changes in the MLM module AND submit your drafted changes. The changes you make will not go into effect unless you do both of these things.
Important note: REDCap administrators normally review changes to your project to ensure that you aren't making changes that corrupt your data (for example, changing the labels of multiple choice options that already have data saved.) If you make changes to translations, you must ensure you are not corrupting your existing data. REDCap administrators will not be able to verify that the changes you make are not qualitatively impacting existing data.
Testing Multi-Language Setup
The "Settings" tab provides helpful options for you to test and troubleshoot Multi-Langauge setup. You have the option to highlight any untranslated text in both data entry and survey mode. You can also back up your existing translations by creating a translation snapshot.
Multi-Language Support Action Tags & URL Parameters
Action Tags
There are a number of action tags in REDCap that work with Multi-Language Management:
- @LANGUAGE-CURRENT-FORM: Captures the language currently used on a data entry form.
- @LANGUAGE-CURRENT-SURVEY: Captures the language currently used on a survey.
- @LANGUAGE-FORCE: Forces display of an instrument in a specific language.
- @LANGUAGE-FORCE-FORM: forces display of a specific, for a data entry form.
- @LANGUAGE-FORCE-SURVEY: forces display of a specific, for a survey.
- @LANGUAGE-SET: Use this action tag on a drop-down or radio button field to let it control the language display for the rest of the page.
See our REDCap: Action Tags page for more information on using action tags.
URL Parameters
It is now possible to preset the language of a survey by supplying the URL parameter "__lang", which must be set to a valid (active) language id (and is case-sensitive).
Example: https://redcap.vanderbilt.edu/surveys/?s=ABC123&__lang=es.
When used, this will override both a survey respondent's previous choice (stored in a browser cookie) as well as the language preference field. The @LANGUAGE-FORCE action tag will still take precedence.
Support for Multi-Language Setup in REDCap
REDCap administrators are not able to provide support and troubleshooting for translation-related issues. It is your responsibility to ensure that the translations you are providing are accurate and map correctly to the fields and options in your project. For help with translation and interpretation, check with Translation and Interpretation Services
Training Video
If you have a UW-Madison REDCap project and have questions about Multi-Language Management, please send them to REDCap@ictr.wisc.edu
Accordion 2
[Content placeholder inside panel Accordion 2. This content will be shown/hidden as the panel is toggled.]
Accordion 3
[Content placeholder inside panel Accordion 3. This content will be shown/hidden as the panel is toggled.]
Using the +/- button to add accordions will automatically add any necessary references to JS provided by the KB automatically to the additional fields box below.
Table Layouts
There are several table classes that can be used to create different table designs in the CSS styling for this page. Below are examples of each and a description for how they might be used.
Add class to table: <table class="classname">
Basic Table
Table Header 1 | Table Header 2 | Table Header 3 |
---|---|---|
Content 1.1 | Content 2.1 | Content 3.1 |
Content 1.2 | Content 2.2 | Content 3.2 |
Content 1.3 | Content 2.3 | Content 3.3 |
class='basictable'
Basic Table with Row and Column Headers
Column Header 1 | Column Header 2 Link in Table Header |
|
---|---|---|
Row Header 1 | Content 1.1 | Content 2.1 |
Row Header 2 | Content 1.2 | Content 2.2 |
Row Header 3 | Content 1.3 | Content 3.3 |
class='rctable'
Comparison Table
Item 1 | Item 2 | |
---|---|---|
Comparison 1 | ![]() |
![]() |
Comparison 2 | ![]() |
![]() |
Comparison 3 | ![]() |
![]() |
class='comparison'
Decision Tree
Accessibility
Website accessibility standards break down to four basic principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust.
Perceivable - Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive.
This means that users must be able to perceive the information being presented.
- Provide text alternatives for non-text content. (<figcaptions> for figures)
- Provide captions and other alternatives for multimedia. (Accessible transcripts for training or other videos embedded in the page)
- Create content that can be presented in different ways, including by assistive technologies, without losing meaning.
- Make it easier for users to see and hear content.
Operable - User interface components and navigation must be operable.
This means that users must be able to operate the interface (the interface cannot require interaction that a user cannot perform)
- Make all functionality available from a keyboard.
- Give users enough time to read and use content.
- Do not use content that causes seizures.
- Help users navigate and find content.
Understandable - Information and the operation of user interface must be understandable.
This means that users must be able to understand the information as well as the operation of the user interface (the content or operation cannot be beyond their understanding)
- Make text readable and understandable.
- Make content appear and operate in predictable ways.
- Help users avoid and correct mistakes.
Robust - Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.
This means that users must be able to access the content as technologies advance (as technologies and user agents evolve, the content should remain accessible)
- Maximize compatibility with current and future user tools.
Before moving a page to Active status, select "Tools" in the editor menu and run the "Accessibility Checker" for a quick overview on any remaining accessibility issues.