Configure features
  • 20 Aug 2024
  • 14 minutes to read

Configure features


Article summary

Configure features contains several features that may be enabled/disabled globally by the Site Administrator. You can access it from Quick-access menu > Configure features.

Shared service settings

When navigating to Configure features you will arrive on this page. In this section, you can configure the Totara settings that are available regardless of which products you have installed.

SettingDescriptionNotes

Enable comments

Enable comments on course activities or learning plans. Note that you cannot disable comments on user-generated resources or playlists.

By default, users can see comments from other users. The comments interface uses AJAX so that comments are added instantly without needing a page refresh.

Comments displayed per page

Set the number of comments that will be displayed per page if Enable comments are turned on.

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Enable tags functionality

Tags are keywords that can be used to categorise courses and other content to help users find them during a search.

Please see What are tags? for more information.

Enable notes

The notes feature is a way to attach information about a user by another user. Notes are only available to use through Totara Learn as they are specific to courses. 

A note can be added in the following contexts:

  • Personal: A note can be added that only you can see
  • Course: A note can be added that anyone with course editing access can see
  • Site: A note can be added that will be attached to the user in all their courses (and viewable by all those with editing access in those courses). 

Users must have permission to View notes and Manage notes to use this feature in any context. Thus learners might be allowed to view or even manage notes within a course.

Requires Totara Learn to access courses.

Note that the Navigation block must be enabled in order to access users' notes in courses.

Enable statistics

If statistics are enabled for the site, graphs and tables of user activity may be generated.

Please see the Server page for more information.

Enable RSS feeds

When enabled, RSS feeds will be generated by various features across the site, such as blogs, forums, database activities and glossaries.

RSS feeds also need to be enabled for the specific activity modules you want to use them with.

Enable badges

Badges are a form of digital credential, awarded to users for the achievement or demonstration of certain skills, knowledge or behaviours. Enabling this allows the creation and award of badges on the site.

Please see What are open badges? for more information.

Enable report restrictions

Global user report restrictions are designed to restrict the content visible in reports. Turning this feature on allows for fine-grained control over what records are visible to users viewing a report but can have a significant impact on performance.

Please see What are global report restrictions? for more information.

Enable audience-based visibility

Enabling this setting allows you to control the visibility of content based on audience membership. The visibility of each course, program or certification can be set to:

  • Visible to all users
  • Visible to enrolled users
  • Visible to enrolled users and members of the selected audiences

Enabling this setting will change the visibility of courses, programs, and certifications across the whole site. This means the existing visibility settings and the viewhiddencourses capability will no longer apply. Any courses, programs, and certifications that are currently hidden may become visible.

Please see What is an audience? for more information.

Enable Totara Connect server

Totara Connect implements a single-sign-on and user identity solution for multiple Totara servers.

Please see What is Totara Connect? for more information.

Display hierarchy shortnames

When enabled, hierarchies will include a short name field in the framework, item and type forms.

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Enable Totara dashboard

Dashboards allow Site Administrators to design multiple interface options for a user to access upon logging into Totara.

Please see What is a dashboard? for more information.

Enable report builder graphs

This allows data from reports to be aggregated and displayed as a graph.

Please see Create a report graph for more information.

Enable positions hierarchies

When enabled, all features related to position hierarchies will be visible and accessible.

Please see What are positions? for more information.

Allow multiple job assignments

When enabled, users can have more than one job assignment.

Please see What are job assignments? for more information.

Enable site policies

When enabled, you will be able to create and manage multiple site policies. 

Please see What are site policies? for more information.

Note that if a current site policy exists, it will be lost when you enable this setting.

Catalogue default view

Choose which catalogue display type to use.

Please see What is the catalogue? for more information.

Enable multitenancy support

Enable if you want to create separate self-contained tenant instances. Please note that some system features may not be available to tenant users. Report Builder caching is not compatible with multitenancy.

Tenant data separation is not guaranteed, see What is multitenancy? for more information on intended use cases.

Enable competencies

Competencies are a way to validate and develop skills within your organisation. Competencies are available in both Totara Learn and Totara Perform.

Please see What are competencies? for more information.

Enable team

This allows managers to see information regarding their staff under the Team menu item. 

Please see Team for more information.

Enable evidence

This setting will enable all features related to evidence. This allows you to create evidence items (such as external certificates or photographic evidence) to associate with other functionality, such as learning plans in Totara Learn.

Please see What is evidence? for more information. 

Enable APIEnable this setting to allow external systems to connect to your Totara site.-

Enable legacy web services

Web services enable other systems to log in to Totara and perform operations.

Please see What are web services? for more information.

Enable legacy blogs

Blogs in Totara are user-based, each user has a blog. Users can also register their external blogs, such as Blogger or WordPress so that entries are automatically included in their Totara blog.

Please see Blogs for more information.

Networking (deprecated)

The Totara network feature allows a Totara administrator to establish a link with another Totara site and share some resources with the users of that Totara.

Note that this feature has been deprecated in Totara 13.

You can also use Totara Connect.

Messaging and notification settings

Navigate to Quick-access menu > Configure features > Messaging and notification settings to configure a range of settings related to notifications in Totara.

SettingDescriptionNotes

Enable messaging system

This refers to the user-to-user messaging system. Enabling this setting will allow users to send messages to other users in Totara, in a similar format to instant messaging. 

See Instant messaging for more.

Note that the instant messaging functionality is not part of the centralised notifications system.

Hide read notifications

Hide read notifications when viewing messaging history. This setting applies to the list of notifications shown via the bell icon on the top menu bar.

This is disabled by default.

Delete read notifications

Read notifications can be deleted to save space. Set the timeframe for deleting a notification after it has been read.

Options for deletion timeframe are; 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, Never.

Notification email override

Allow users to have notifications sent to an email address that is not the email address in their profile.

If this setting is enabled then users can go to User profile > Preferences > Legacy notification preferences, click Email, then enter an email address to which they want their notification emails delivered. This address will override their account email address for legacy notifications.

This setting does not apply to centralised notifications.

Enable notification logsWhen this setting is enabled you can use the following reports to audit notifications:
  • Notification events
  • Sent notifications
  • Delivery log
Notification logs are only available for centralised notifications. Notifications sent through other notifications functionality will not appear in these logs.

See Auditing centralised notifications for more information.
Days to keep notification logsSet how many days you want to store notification logs if Enable notification logs is checked.The default length of time is 30 days. Storing logs for longer amounts of time may affect site performance.

Note that notification logs are only available for centralised notifications.

Learn settings

Navigate to Quick-access menu > Configure features > Learn settings to configure various features and settings in Totara Learn.

SettingDescriptionNotes

Enable portfolios

Portfolios in Totara make it easy for a learner to export their work to an external portfolio. For example, learner work might include forum posts or assignment submissions that they believe demonstrate their knowledge.

Please see What are portfolios? for more information.

Note that libraries and resources can also be used to compile portfolios of users' work.

Enable completion tracking

Completion tracking is a process that assists course completion and activity completion features. It must be enabled in advanced settings before it can be used anywhere on the site. Select the roles that require tracking (usually learner) under Quick-access menu > Grades > General settings > Graded roles.

Please see Set up course completion conditions for more information.

Default completion tracking

This setting determines the default setting for completion tracking when creating new activities. Choose from:

  • Use activity default
  • Do not indicate activity completion

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Enable restricted access

Restricted access enables trainers to restrict the availability of any activity according to certain conditions such as dates, grades obtained, or activity completion. When it is enabled by the Site Administrator, a Restrict access setting appears in the settings of activities or resources.

Please see Restricting access to course activities for more information.

Enable RPL for courses

When enabled, a course can be marked as completed by assigning the user a Recognition of Prior Learning. It is also possible to enable or disable this for specific course activities and resources.

Please see the What is the record of learning? for more information. 

Enable RPL for modules

Use these tick boxes to configure which modules (activities) you want to enable RPL for.

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Enable plagiarism plugins

This will allow administrators to configure plagiarism plugins (if installed).

Plagiarism is when a learner submits content they have copied and the real author was not given credit for the words. Plagiarism prevention detects when this form of dishonesty has happened.

Note that enabling this setting does not automatically set up plagiarism detection. You will need a plagiarism detection plugin or app to use with your Totara site.

Enable content marketplaces

When this setting is enabled it is possible to access training content from Totara's third-party content marketplaces.

Please see What are content marketplaces? for more information.

Enable program extension requests

When enabled extension requests can be turned on for individual programs. This allows the program assignee to request an extension to the due date for a program. This extension can then be accepted or denied by the assignee's manager.

Please see What are programs? for more information.

Enable learning plans

Learning plans are used to specify the training required by staff and can be reviewed by managers. 

Please see What are learning plans? for more information.

Enable programs

Programs allow you to create learning paths for learners where you can define dependencies and control the order and flow of the competencies and courses your learners complete. These can be Hidden or Disabled across the site.

Please see What are programs? for more information.

Enable certifications

Certifications allow you to create learning paths for learners that need to be repeated after a specified time. You can define dependencies and control the order and flow of the competencies and courses your learners complete. 

Please see What are certifications? for more information.

Enable record of learning

This displays all of the learner's completed and current learning.

Please see What is the record of learning? for more information.

Enable program completion editor

When enabled (checked), the Completion tab will be made available to users with the totara/program:editcompletion capability when editing a program or certification. This will allow them to edit completion records, both historical and current.

Please see Program and certification completion editor for more information.

Enable outcomes

When enabled, grade items may be graded using one or more scales tied to outcome statements.


Please see Using grade outcomes for more information.

Enable legacy program assignment interface

When enabled, this will revert the program assignment interface back to the legacy view. If your site uses large-scale program assignments we recommend using the improved interface.

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Totara Perform

Navigate to Quick-access menu > Configure features > Perform settings to enable various features in Totara Perform.

Here you will also see a range of legacy settings. These settings relate to performance management features in earlier versions of Totara Learn, which will be deprecated in future versions of Totara. For now, legacy features exist to enable organisations currently using them to migrate to Totara Perform features.

SettingDescriptionNotes

Enable performance activities

Enable this setting to allow users to manage and view performance activities.

Please see What are performance activities? for more information.

Close and hide suspended users' performance activitiesTick to automatically close and hide all active performance activity instances (including instances for other participants) for any users who have been suspended.-
Close suspended users' performance activitiesTick to automatically close all active performance activity instances (including instances for other participants) for any users who have been suspended.-
Hide incomplete responses for closed instancesEnable this setting to hide responses for participants who did not provide a response to any questions on a closed instance. This setting removes empty or draft responses from the participants' view in an activity. Individual participants are always able to see their responses, even if that is an empty response. -
Enable role change participant instance creationIf enabled, this creates a new participant instance for existing open activities when a new user enters a relationship for that activity.-
Enable role change participant instance closureIf enabled, this closes existing participant instances for open activities when a user leaves a relationship for that activity. -
Enable goalsSelect which goal system you want to use on your site:
  • Totara goals: Totara goals are integrated into performance activities, and are compatible with other Totara Perform features, the external API, and reporting.
  • Legacy goals: Totara's legacy goal system of company goals and personal goals, which are configured using frameworks and hierarchies.
  • Totara goals transition mode: If you were using legacy goals (personal goals and company goals) in an earlier version of Totara, you can use this option while transitioning to Totara goals. This allows you to use Totara goals on your site, while still being able to view users' old goals.
  • None: Goals functionality will not be available on your site.
Please see What are goals? for more information.
Enable competency assignmentEnable this setting to show the competency assignment feature, which allows you to assign users or groups to competencies.Please see Create competency assignment for more information.

Legacy dynamic appraisals

This setting allows you to specify whether appraisals lock on activation and no longer update assignments and roles, or continue to update after activation.

This is a legacy feature from a previous version of Totara Learn. It will be deprecated in a future version of Totara. 

Legacy dynamic appraisals automatic progression

When legacy dynamic appraisals are enabled, this setting allows you to specify whether appraisals will automatically progress to the next stage if one or more roles are empty (assuming all filled roles are complete and there is at least one role filled). When Dynamic Appraisals is not enabled, appraisals will automatically progress.


This is a legacy feature from a previous version of Totara Learn. It will be deprecated in a future version of Totara.

Enable legacy appraisals

When enabled this allows legacy appraisals to be accessible, but they will not appear under the user's performance activities. When disabled, legacy appraisals will disappear from all menus.

This is a legacy feature from a previous version of Totara Learn. It will be deprecated in a future version of Totara.

Show historic activities

When this setting is enabled historic activities (legacy appraisals and 360 feedback) will be visible to their assigned users in their performance activities.

Note that Legacy appraisals and Legacy 360 feedback must be enabled for the respective activities to be displayed.

This is a legacy feature from a previous version of Totara Learn. It will be deprecated in a future version of Totara.

Enable legacy 360 feedback

This option will let you choose to enable or disable legacy 360 feedback features from users on this site.

  • Disable: Legacy 360 feedback will disappear from any menu on the site and will not be accessible
  • Enable: Legacy 360 feedback will be accessible, but will not appear under the user’s performance activities

This is a legacy feature from a previous version of Totara Learn. It will be deprecated in a future version of Totara.

Make legacy appraisals read-onlySets all legacy appraisals to read-only. You will still be able to view and delete closed and draft appraisals, but you won't be able to edit or activate draft appraisals.This setting is enabled by default and can't be disabled.
Make legacy 360 feedback read-onlySets all legacy 360 feedback to read-only. You will still be able to view and delete closed and draft 360 feedback, but you won't be able to edit or activate draft 360 feedback.This setting is enabled by default and can't be disabled.

Totara Engage

Navigate to Quick-access menu > Configure features > Engage settings to enable various features in Totara.

SettingDescriptionNotes

Library

When enabled, users will be able to view, create and share resources and playlists in their library. If this setting is disabled then users cannot access the library, which will also be hidden from navigation elements.

Please see What are libraries? for more information.

Workspaces

When enabled, users will be able to find, view and create workspaces. If this setting is disabled then users cannot access the library, which will also be hidden from navigation elements.

Please see Workspaces for more information.

Recommendations

When enabled, users will be able to discover recommended user-generated content (such as resources and playlists) via the Recommended learning block. When disabled this block will not be available.

Please see Recommendations for more information.

Microsoft Teams integration

When enabled, users will be able to access user-generated content (e.g. resources, playlists, and surveys) and workspaces through Microsoft Teams. You will need to set up the Microsoft Teams integration first.

Please see Totara application for Microsoft Teams for more information.

The Totara Academy has a course dedicated to using Core plugins and advanced features in Totara. Here you can learn more, see best practice, give it a go yourself.

Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us at documentation@totara.com. Alternatively, book a call to have a chat about your Totara platform with a dedicated Customer Success Manager.

© Copyright 2024 Totara Learning Solutions. All rights reserved. Some content originally obtained via GPLv3 license and continues to be available under GPLv3. All other content is the sole copyright of Totara Learning Solutions. 

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