Pressbooks - Overview [UW-Madison]

This document provides information about the content authoring platform Pressbooks, including tips on how to get started using the tool.
. To list all Pressbooks documents from the Learn@UW-Madison Knowledgebase at the bottom of this page, select this link

Pressbooks logo

What is Pressbooks?

Pressbooks is a tool that allows users to create and host rich content (including text, images, embedded video, and other interactive elements) and export that content in formats like PDF and EPUB. 

Please see DoIT’s Pressbooks IT Service Page for a more detailed description of Pressbooks.

Tool Functionality

Basic Functionality

  • Pressbooks is designed to help users author rich content, especially books. Once a user has a Pressbooks account, they can create a book and begin to author content. This content can then be embedded into Canvas or shared as a link.
  • Each Pressbook is given its own unique URL, and content is typically organized into Front Matter, Main Body, and Back Matter.
  • In addition to text, users can add images, embedded video, links, Hypothes.is annotations, and interactive H5P activities to supplement their text. Users can also modify their book’s metadata including contributors, licenses, and more.

Advanced Functionality

  • Pressbooks users can create an embed H5P activities directly into their content, and that Pressbooks content can also be embedded directly into Canvas as module items.
  • Users interested in using Pressbooks are encouraged to request a consultation with the Learn@UW-Madison team.

Getting Started

For training information and how to get started with Pressbooks, see Pressbooks - Getting Started

Additional Resources