Filters

Filters can transform simple text into different often more complex forms. The potential for a filter is set at the site level and then it can be applied or removed as needed in site on a context level. HTML hyperlinking, or a text link that automatically calls up a sound player are examples of text filters.

There are many applications for filters. You could turn on the LaTeX filter just for courses in the Maths and Physics categories so users could create math formula notations with text based short cuts. Here the LaTeX filter would need to be enabled for the site and you would need permission in the context of those course categories to edit the filter settings. A teacher could turn off glossary linking in a course exam, or in the entire course.

Filters are one of the general categories that can be selected for a course backup or as part of the course import process.

Standard filters

Filters in Moodle include:

• Activity names auto-linking - This scans text for activity titles that exist in the same course and creates a link
• Algebra notation - This filter will convert algebra code into GIF images
• Convert URLs into links - This filter converts URLs in selected formats, such as Moodle auto-format, to click-able links
• Database auto-linking - As the name suggests, this filter enables automatic linking of Database module entries
• Display emoticons as images - This converts emoticon (smiley) characters into images
• Email protection - This obfuscates email address links to make them more difficult for spammers to harvest
• Glossary auto-linking
• Multimedia plugins - This finds a link in text that points to a multimedia resource and replaces the link with an appropriate multimedia player code which can play the resource
• Multi-language content - This filter enables resources to be created in multiple languages
• TeX notation
• Word censorship - This filter "blacks out" words found on a list.