Cards (also called Text Cards) are individual content units within your 7taps courses. Learners swipe through cards sequentially, with most courses containing 5-15 cards. Cards serve as your primary tool for delivering information while maintaining the focused, scannable nature of microlearning.
Table of Contents
What are Cards?
Cards serve as the foundation for your microlearning content, allowing you to present information with visual impact through text, images, and GIFs.
Primary Uses
Delivering key information and concepts
Creating visual impact with images or GIFs
Building navigational pathways with branching
Establishing context before interactive elements
Key Capabilities
Text formatting: Bold, italics, lists, and bullet points
Visual elements: Upload images, add GIFs, or use fullscreen backgrounds
Linking & Branching: Connect text to other cards, courses, or external web pages
Responsive design: Font sizes automatically adjust for optimal reading on any device
Card Limitations & Technical Specifications
Understanding these constraints helps you create cards that perform well across all devices:
Content Constraints
Text length: No character limit, but brevity is strongly encouraged
If your content requires scrolling, consider splitting into multiple cards
The goal of microlearning is keeping content micro and focused
Image Specifications
Maximum file size: 10MB per image
Supported formats: JPG, PNG, GIF, and other standard image formats
GIF guidelines: Same 10MB limit applies; optimize for mobile performance
Recommended resolutions:
Fullscreen backgrounds: 720px × 1280px (9:16 aspect ratio)
Standard placement: 720px × 420px
📖 For detailed image guidance: See our comprehensive Adding an Image article
Font Customization
Available sizes: Two preset options (Headline and Body)
Cannot be customized: Font sizes are fixed to ensure readability across devices
Custom fonts: Available through account-level setup
📖 For font size details: See Text Card Font Sizes
Adding Images to Your Cards
7taps adapts to every screen to deliver the best possible experience to your course viewers. However, different devices display images differently because screens have different aspect ratios.
⚠️ Critical Image Guidelines
Make sure your content looks stunning on any device:
✅ DO: Upload background images without text, then use 7taps to add text on top
This ensures text remains crisp and readable on all screen sizes
Text overlays automatically adjust for different devices
❌ AVOID: Images with tiny or hard-to-read text like conventional PowerPoint slides
Embedded text often appears blurry, distorted, or clipped on mobile devices
Make sure any essential text uses 7taps formatting tools instead
Exception: For decorative headlines or short phrases where visual design is paramount, embedded text may be acceptable but test thoroughly on mobile devices first.
Image Resolution Guidelines
Fullscreen Background Images
Recommended resolution: 720px × 1280px (9:16 aspect ratio)
How to use: Once you've added an image, click the image icon again and select 'Fullscreen' to turn it into a background
Best for: Creating immersive visual experiences with text overlays
Optimizing Text Readability on Backgrounds
When using fullscreen background images, 7taps provides tools to ensure your text remains readable:
Overlay (Default):
Adds a semi-transparent dark layer over your image
Makes text stand out against busy or light backgrounds
Toggle off if your image already has good contrast
White Text:
Changes all text on the card to white
Use with dark backgrounds for maximum readability
Works well with the overlay for extra contrast
💡 Pro Tips:
Test both overlay on/off to see which looks better with your image
Dark images often work well without overlay if you use white text
Light images typically need the overlay to make text readable
Preview on mobile to ensure text is legible on smaller screens
Top or Bottom Placement Images
Recommended resolution: 720px × 420px
Result: Image takes up approximately ⅓ of the card, leaving room for text
Best for: Supporting visuals that complement your text content
Resizing Images
Once you upload an image or pick one from the built-in libraries, you can slightly resize it by dragging the border up or down.
📖 Need more image guidance? See our comprehensive Adding an Image article for detailed specifications and best practices.
Text Formatting and Font Sizes
Available Font Sizes
7taps offers two preset font sizes that ensure consistent readability across all devices and screen sizes:
Headline font (large) - For titles and key points
Body font (standard) - For detailed explanations and longer text
How to Change Font Sizes
To adjust the font size of your text:
Select the text you want to modify
Look for the font size controls at the bottom of the card
Click the 'A' button to enable/disable headline (large) font
Click the 'a' button to enable/disable body (standard) font
Note: Font sizes are preset and cannot be customized beyond these two options. This ensures optimal readability across all devices without manual adjustments.
📖 Getting questions about font sizes? See Text Card Font Sizes for a detailed explanation of why we use preset sizes.
Text Formatting Options
Customize your body text by highlighting it and selecting formatting options:
Bold text for emphasis (B icon)
Italics for subtle emphasis (I icon)
Bulleted lists (bullet icon)
Numbered lists (numbered icon)
Various combinations of the above
⚠️ Important: Text formatting and lists only work on body text (the smaller 'a' font size). Headline text cannot be formatted with bold, italics, or converted to lists.
Linking & Branching Feature
The Linking & Branching feature enables you to connect your text to other cards, mini-courses, or external web pages, creating interactive learning pathways.
How It Works
Highlight the body text you want to link
Click 'Linking & Branching' from the formatting menu
Choose your destination:
Card: Another card in the same course
Course: A different mini-course (opens from the beginning)
Webpage: An external web page, document, or resource
What Happens When Learners Click
When learners click linked text:
Card links: Navigate to the specified card within the current course
Course links: Open the linked course in a new tab
Webpage links: Open external URLs in a new tab
Special links: You can also use
mailto:links (to initiate emails) ortel:links (to call phone numbers)
Strategic Use Cases for Branching
Personalized Learning Paths
Create different experiences based on learner choices
Example: "Are you new to this topic?" → Link to foundational course
Example: "Already familiar?" → Link to advanced course
Multi-Language Support
Offer the same course in multiple languages
Let learners select their preferred language on the first card
Each language option links to the translated course version
Resource Libraries
Link to additional reading without cluttering main content
Connect to supplementary videos or documents
Provide "deep dive" options for interested learners
Scenario-Based Training
Build decision trees with multiple outcomes
Guide learners through complex processes
Create "choose your own adventure" style training
⚠️ Important: Place external webpage links at the very end of your course to avoid affecting completion rates. Links that navigate away from 7taps may prevent learners from completing the course.
Common Questions & Troubleshooting
Q: How do I change the title of the course/module I'm working on?
The title is set on the title card of the course. What appears in the headline text on the title card becomes the course title.
You can also rename a course by clicking the 3-dot menu and choosing "Rename."
Q: Can I change the font color?
Yes, at the course level. You can create a theme with any custom colors by clicking "Theme" in the course editor. This allows you to set brand-consistent colors across your entire course.
Q: Can I customize the font beyond the two preset sizes?
No, the two preset font sizes (Headline and Body) cannot be customized. This design choice ensures:
Consistent readability across devices
Optimal mobile experience
Professional appearance without manual adjustments
The preset sizes are carefully calibrated to work well on screens ranging from smartphones to desktop monitors.
📖 Want to understand the reasoning? Read our detailed explanation in Text Card Font Sizes.
Q: Is there an option to highlight text?
No, 7taps doesn't offer text highlighting or other advanced text styling within the card editor. Our formatting options (bold, italics, font sizes) are intentionally streamlined to maintain readability and ensure mobile optimization.
If you need decorative text effects for headlines or special visual elements, you can create a custom image with styled text, but test thoroughly on mobile devices to ensure readability.
Q: Why does my text look different on various devices?
Font sizes automatically adjust to ensure optimal readability across all devices and screen sizes. This responsive design is intentional and ensures your content remains accessible whether viewed on a phone, tablet, or desktop.
Q: My uploaded image looks blurry or cut off. What should I do?
This usually happens when:
The image resolution doesn't match our recommendations (720×1280px for fullscreen, 720×420px for standard placement)
The image aspect ratio is significantly different from the recommended dimensions
The image file is heavily compressed or low resolution
Solution:
Upload images at the recommended resolutions
Use high-quality source files
Add your text using 7taps formatting tools rather than embedding it in the image
Preview your card on multiple device sizes
Q: Can I link to a specific card in another course?
No, when you link to another course, it always opens from the beginning (the title card). You can only link to specific cards within the current course you're editing.
Q: My content is too long and requires scrolling. What should I do?
Scrolling indicates your card may be too content-heavy for microlearning. Consider:
Splitting the content across multiple cards (recommended)
Using more visual elements and less text
Moving detailed information to a linked resource
Focusing on only the most essential points
Remember: The power of microlearning is in keeping content focused and scannable.
Best Practices for Effective Cards
Content Strategy
One idea per card - Keep content focused and scannable
Lead with key points - Put the most important information at the top
Use visual hierarchy - Combine headline and body fonts strategically
Respect attention spans - If your card requires scrolling, split it into multiple cards
Test the "3-second rule" - Can learners grasp the main point in 3 seconds?
Image Strategy
Upload clean images without text, then overlay text using 7taps tools
Follow resolution guidelines (720×1280px fullscreen, 720×420px standard)
Optimize file sizes - Keep under 10MB, but smaller is better for loading speed
Test on multiple devices to ensure readability and visual impact
Use images purposefully - Every image should support your learning objective
Formatting Strategy
Don't over-format - Use bold and italics sparingly for maximum impact
Create scannable content with lists and bullet points
Maintain consistency across your course
Use white space effectively - Don't cram too much into one card
Mix font sizes within cards to create visual hierarchy
Branching Strategy
Place external links last to avoid disrupting course completion
Test all links before sharing your course
Use clear link text - Make it obvious where the link will take learners
Consider the flow - Does branching enhance or complicate the learning experience?
Provide context - Explain what learners will find when they click
When to Use Cards vs. Other Card Types
Use Cards When You Need To:
Present information or concepts
Provide context before an activity
Create visual impact with images or backgrounds
Build branching pathways to other content
Establish narrative flow in your course
Consider Other Card Types When You Need:
Video Card - For demonstrations or storytelling through video
Audio Card - For listening-based content or narration
Quiz Card - To test understanding or check knowledge
Poll Card - To gather learner opinions or preferences
Form Card - To collect open-ended responses
Role-play Card - For scenario-based learning with dialogue
Button Card - For more prominent navigation options
Getting Started
Create Your First Card
Open your course editor in 7taps
Select "Card" from the menu on the right side
Add your text using the formatting options
Upload an image (optional) and position it as needed
Apply formatting (bold, lists, font sizes)
Add branching by highlighting text and selecting destinations
Preview your card on different device sizes
Typical Card Creation Workflow
Most creators follow this pattern:
Draft your content - Write or paste your text
Format for hierarchy - Use headline font for titles, body font for details
Add visual elements - Upload images and position them
Apply text formatting - Bold key points, create lists
Add branching (if needed) - Link to resources or other cards
Preview and test - Check appearance on multiple device sizes
Refine - Adjust based on preview
Remember: Cards work best when they're focused, visual, and scannable. Keep content concise and use images strategically to support your message.
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Related Articles
Adding an Image - Comprehensive image specifications and best practices
Text Card Font Sizes - Why we use preset sizes and how to work with them
Setting Up Custom Fonts - Brand your courses with custom typography