The custom strings feature allows you to customize every aspect of the online application. This feature also allows you to define multiple language support and customize each language as necessary to fit your District's needs.
From the MySchoolApps homepage, click on Manage Custom Strings/Languages or click Setup at the top of the site window and select Custom Strings/Languages. From the District window, you may also select a activate a new language and edit strings.
Editing Strings In Currently Active Languages
In order to edit/view the strings for a language, just click on the language on the main custom string and language page. Once you do this, you will see a dynamic tree that can be browsed to view and edit each string. The strings are arranged hierarchically for ease of use.
In order to navigate the strings and associate them with the page they modify you can follow a few simple guidelines.
- Most strings are organized exactly as they appear in the online application. For example, to modify the string for the page 'Terms Of Use' in the online application navigate to the string at the location 'Application | Terms Of Use' in the custom strings tree.
- Some strings are shared across pages. Examples of these strings are the text on buttons (such as the 'Continue'/'Go Back'), Labels on form input screens (such as the 'name', 'gender' labels on the 'Add Student' page). The location of these shared strings is the 'Misc' top level custom string node.
In many situations you can use the URL that appears in the browser during the application process as a guide in locating the string in the custom string tree view. For instance, strings related to the pages for Student (URL: /StudentInfo/) are located in the 'StudentInfo' node in the custom string tree
Use 2 Different Web Browsers When Setting Up Strings
A recommendation that can assist in setting up strings involves using 2 web browsers on the same computer. Use 1 browser to modify the string in the admin interface and use the other browser to see the results of the string on the online application itself. In order to use this technique you must use 2 different browsers - you cannot use the same browser with multiple tabs/windows.
Reserved Or Read-Only Custom Strings
Almost any part of the website can be customized by the district except for a very small handful of strings. These read-only strings cannot be modified because they contain information that should never be changed by the district. An example of this is the 'Website Terms And Agreement' string. This string defines the user agreement between HSS and the end user.
Examples of Viewing/Modifying Custom Strings
An example showing how to browse the 'PrivacyAct' custom string - by clicking on the underlined string you can modify its content as needed.
Modifying the 'PrivacyAct Header' string. You can insert predefined custom fields and highlight/bold text as needed using the tools provided.
Activating and Customizing New Languages
By default, we provide content for English and Spanish. You can add additional languages by activating a new language and making customizations as needed to the new language.
Take Care When Activating New Languages
When you enable a new language, ALL of the default strings are in English. It is the District's responsibility to translate all strings in this language appropriately before activating your application for a new school year. Also, please take note that when you activate a new language it is live immediately. Due to this behavior, HSS recommends only activating new languages at the start of the new year and while still in Test Mode (see the New School Year Setup And Test Mode section for more information).
The main custom string and language maintenance screen displaying the currently activate languages for this district. You can activate new languages by clicking the 'Activate another language' button and deactivate currently active languages by clicking the appropriate 'Deactivate' button.
By clicking the 'Activate another language' button you are brought to this screen which allows you to activate a new language. Remember, activating a new language is immediate! The new language is immediately live on the website with only the English defaults until your District translates the language strings.