September 2026 Updates
These are the latest Blackboard updates SaaS release 4001.00, which will be live on our system from 1st October 2026.
Instructional Design
Improvements to the beta Content Editor in Blackboard Documents
As part of the Early Access program for the new Content Editor, we’ve added a set of usability, accessibility, and functionality improvements based on early feedback.
Instructors
Paragraph indentation
Instructors can now apply a variety of indentation styles directly in the editor using the Increase indent and Decrease indent options in the toolbar or Format menu. The editor applies indentation based on cursor position: placing the cursor at the start of a paragraph applies a first-line indent on the first use, repeating the action indents the full paragraph while preserving that first-line offset, and positioning the cursor elsewhere in the paragraph indents the entire paragraph evenly.
Responsive toolbar
The editor toolbar now stays on a single row regardless of screen size or editing area width. As space narrows, the editor hides less frequently used toolbar buttons, though every action remains available from the Edit, Format, and Insert menus.
Keyboard shortcuts and navigation
The Edit and Insert menus now display more keyboard shortcuts next to common 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.
Toolbar tooltips
Toolbar tooltips now appear below each button instead of overlapping the Edit, Format, and Insert menus.
Refreshed look and feel
The editor’s icons and overall styling continue to align with Blackboard LMS’s current design language.
Image from URL
When instructors insert an image from a URL, Blackboard LMS now downloads the image and uploads it directly into the course rather than linking to the external source. Images inserted this way remain available even if the original source changes or is removed, and they support the same alternative text, display, and cropping options as uploaded images. Once a student submits an assessment, the image is fixed in place and can no longer be altered from its external source.
Assignments and Tests
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 an warning message if they attempt to upload a file type that is not permitted.
Note: When configuring accepted file types, review all selected formats before saving to ensure that only the file types required for that assignment are enabled. Do not assume that the displayed selections are appropriate for the current assignment.
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.
Custom file extensions are validated against system-level file upload restrictions set by the administrator. If a custom extension conflicts with a system-level restriction, an inline error message appears and the setting cannot be saved.
Instructors can modify file type restrictions after students have started submitting. Existing submissions remain gradable, and students with drafts in progress can still submit.
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 informs them that the file type is not accepted.