Training module (SI): The Editor view

In this module, you will learn the basics of the Editor view, including the layout and the basic features you can use to draft effectively.

Tutorial

The Editor view is where you will draft your documents.

See the annotated screenshot below.

A screenshot of the Lawmaker Editor view, annotated to point out the Structure view - in which users can navigate the document and select and move provisions - the toolbar and the Save and Undo and Redo buttons in the toolbar, the tags menu, the breadcrumb, and the right hand panel - where users can see document information and tabs to review and validate their document.

Note the following:

Structure View - this shows the structure of your document. It is like a table of contents, updated ‘live’ as you draft the document. It can be used to select and move provisions.
Toolbar - as in a word processor like MS Word, this contains a range of options to work on your document, including Save and the Undo / Redo buttons.
Right-hand panel - this contains a range of tabs in which you can edit Document information and review / validate your document.
Breadcrumb - This shows you the position of your cursor within the structure of the document. So in the screenshot, the cursor is within a Text element, within Opening words, within a Paragraph, etc. The breadcrumb allows you to select elements, which is useful for copy-pasting or deleting them.
Close editor - this will close the Editor view. If you have unsaved changes, you will be prompted to Save or Discard them. You should always exit the document through close editor.

You should manually save your document frequently, as this locks in changes you have made and creates a record of snapshot versions you can access (see Training module (SI): The Editor view).

Lawmaker does have an 'autosave' but this is only a backup (e.g., if your browser crashes).

By exiting your document through Close Editor, you will ensure that you don’t have unsaved changes left over (as you’ll be prompted to save them or discard them).

Video

Watch The Editor View portion of the video below (starting 0:05).

Also watch Using tags (starting 6:21).

The other sections of the video will be covered in other modules.

https://youtu.be/al0gLERH0u4?t=6

Further information

For more detail on the above, see:

Additionally, see Folding provisions. This is a useful function when you are working with a longer document.

Exercises

Getting started

Before you start the exercises, you will need a document ready and open in the Editor.

If you already have a document ready, you can move on to the exercises below.

If you don’t have a document ready, follow the steps below.

How to create a new project

Log in to the Lawmaker Training environment (link here).
From the Dashboard, create a new project. (See Creating a new project for details.)
Select the document type that you are most likely to work with. For Sub-type, select Regulations (for convenience).
Give it a memorable title such as[Your name] - Training project.
From the Project tab for your new document, select Document Actions > Import from legislation.gov.uk. (See Import legislation from www.legislation.gov.uk for details.)
Give the document a clear Version Description, e.g., the name of this Training module.
Import one of the following documents, depending on your document type:
- Northern Ireland Statutory Rules: The Horticulture Pilot Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025
- Welsh Statutory Instruments: The Healthy Eating in Schools (Nutritional Standards and Requirements) (Maintained Primary Schools) (Wales) Regulations 2025
- Scottish Statutory Instruments: The Sheep Carcase (Classification and Price Reporting) (Scotland) Regulations 2025
- (UK) Statutory Instruments: The Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2025
Open the new document in the Editor.

Exercise 1 - Select a provision using the Structure view

Use the Structure view to show lower-level provisions and select each of the following, in turn:

A Regulation
A (1) Paragraph
A (a) Paragraph
A Table
A Schedule
Multiple neighbouring provisions (hint: hold Ctrl whilst clicking)

See the provisions being highlighted in the Editor.

(If your document doesn’t contain one of the above provisions you can skip it.)

Instructions to use the Structure view

Click the downwards arrow next to the title of the Structure view, to toggle ‘Show lower levels'.
Find the relevant provision in the Structure view.
Click the provision to highlight. Repeat for each of the above-listed provisions.
To highlight multiple provisions, hold Ctrl, then click a provision, then a second provision.

Exercise 2 - Select provisions using the breadcrumb

Place your cursor within a provision in the Editor, then go to the breadcrumb and select each ‘level’ in turn, from right to left.

See the provisions being highlighted in the Editor.

If you have time, repeat for another provision.

Instructions to use the breadcrumb

Place your cursor in a provision.
Find the breadcrumb (by default, at the bottom of the screen, though it can be moved to just below the toolbar using the arrows to the right).
Select the right-most text in the breadcrumb (‘Text’ in the screenshot at the top of this exercise). See it highlighted in the Editor.
Click the text immediately to the left and see that highlighted. Repeat, until you get to the left-most text (which will select the entire document).

Exercise 3 - Use undo and redo

Make a small change in your document, then undo it, then redo it.

Instructions to use undo and redo

Make a small change, such as placing your cursor in a provision and typing some words.
Find the undo button in the toolbar and click it (alternatively, press Ctrl + Z).
Find the redo button (next to undo), and click it (alternatively, press Ctrl + Y).

Exercise 4 - Save your document

Save the change you made in Exercise 3.

Instructions to save

Find the Save button (the floppy disk) in the toolbar and click it (alternatively, press Ctrl + S).

Exercise 5 - Exit the Editor view

Make another small change and exit the Editor view.

Instructions to exit the Editor view

Make a small change, such as placing your cursor in a provision and typing some words.
Click the blue Close Editor button in the top left.
In the menu, select either Save changes or Discard changes. Your choice!

Exercise 6 (optional) - Folding and unfolding provisions

Attempt if you have read Folding provisions.

Reopen your working version. Then, fold all provisions (except the one you have your cursor in), then unfold some other provisions, then unfold all provisions.

Instructions to fold and unfold provisions

From the Project tab, reopen your working version by pressing the Edit button next to the relevant tile.
To fold all provisions, find the ‘Fold all the elements’ button on the toolbar. It looks like this:
Click it. Scroll through your document and see that all Regulations are folded, i.e. hidden except their titles.
Find a folded Regulation and click the little triangle to the left of the title to unfold. (Alternatively, click where it says (Folded) to unfold.) Repeat for a few Regulations.
To unfold all provisions, find the ‘Unfold all elements’ button on the toolbar. It looks like this: