In the September update, we want to draw your attention to the following Blackboard enhancements:
- New Content Editor for Blackboard Documents
- Restrict accepted file types for assignment submissions
- Updated Blackboard Gradebook
Note: The September update was delayed by Blackboard to allow more time for testing.
New Content Editor for Blackboard Documents
Blackboard has introduced a new content editor for Documents, giving staff a more modern and streamlined way to create content. The new editor offers a simpler editing experience, improved formatting tools and better accessibility. The key features are:
- Simplified menus and a cleaner toolbar make editing easier.
- Enhanced list and table formatting provides greater flexibility.
- Improved keyboard navigation and accessibility features support a wider range of users.
The editor remains in beta stage until November and will continue receiving updates until then.
Instructors
Staff can currently choose between the new and classic editor. The classic editor will remain available until December.
Image 1: The new Content Editor appears alongside the classic editor when adding Document blocks.
Image 2: The new Content Editor has a redesigned toolbar and menu structure.
A Content Editor Comparison Table is available if you would like to see the differences between the two editors side by side.
Since the new editor became available for institutions to switch-on in August, Blackboard has already released several usability, accessibility, and functionality improvements based on feedback from early adopters. These can be seen below:
Paragraph indentation
New indentation controls allow first-line or full-paragraph indentation directly within the editor, providing greater formatting flexibility.
Image 1: Instructors select Increase indent or Decrease indent.
Responsive toolbar
The toolbar now stays on a single row regardless of screen size. Less-used buttons are hidden on smaller screens, but all tools remain available through the menus.
Image 2: On small screens, less frequently used toolbar buttons are hidden.
Keyboard shortcuts and navigation
The Edit and Insert menus now display more keyboard shortcuts next to common actions, making them easier to discover for keyboard users and anyone learning the editor.
Image 3: The Edit menu displays keyboard shortcuts next to actions.
A new Keyboard Shortcuts button, located at the end of the toolbar, opens a centralised reference covering navigation between the Menu Bar, Toolbar, Inline Toolbar, and editor, as well as keyboard-based image resizing
Image 4: A list of keyboard shortcuts appears when the keyboard shortcuts button on the toolbar is selected.
Together, these updates make the editor’s full functionality easier to discover and use without a mouse.
Toolbar tooltips
Tooltips now appear below toolbar buttons, preventing them from obscuring menu options.
Image 5: The tooltip appears below the button.
Refreshed look and feel
The editor has also received a visual refresh, bringing it more in line with Blackboard’s wider design style.
Image from URL
Images added from a web address are now copied into the course rather than linked externally. This ensures images remain available even if the original source changes or is removed.
Restrict accepted file types for assignment submissions
Instructors can now specify which file types they will accept for file submissions on assignments. Students are informed of any restrictions before submitting and receive a warning message if they attempt to upload a file type that is not permitted.
Instructors
When configuring an assignment with file submission enabled, instructors can restrict accepted file types in two ways:
- Select from a list of common permitted file types, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and ZIP formats.
- Enter custom file extensions manually. For the moment, to restrict according to PDF you will need to type in .pdf in the filter or add a custom extension box.
Instructors can modify file type restrictions after students have started submitting. Existing submissions remain gradable, and students with drafts in progress can still submit.
Image 1: In the Permitted file types dropdown list, instructors can specify one or more file types allowed.
Students
The expected file types for an assignment are displayed in the Details & Actions section before submission. If a student attempts to upload a file type that is not permitted, a warning message should inform them that the file type is not accepted.
Updated Blackboard Gradebook
In the August update, we drew your attention to the restructured Gradebook grid view that has been rolled out by Blackboard. This is a reminder to take a look at our separate Update to Blackboard Gradebook August 2026 blogpost so that you can familiarise yourself with this new layout.