---
title: "Lesson Display and Content Settings"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/software/learndash/lesson-display-content/"
description: "The Display and Content settings in LearnDash Lessons help enhance student engagement. Course creators can include supplemental materials, enable video requirem…"
vertical: "Software"
area: "LearnDash"
date: "2019-04-13"
last_modified: "2026-07-02"
---

# Lesson Display and Content Settings

The **Display and Content** settings in LearnDash Lessons help enhance student engagement. Course creators can include supplemental materials, enable video requirements, allow assignment uploads, or use a lesson timer to guide student progress.

## Before You Begin

To access the Display and Content settings for a Lesson:

1. Navigate to **LearnDash LMS > Lessons** in the WordPress Dashboard.
2. Click on the Lesson to edit.
3. Click the **Settings** tab.
4. Scroll to the **Display and Content Options** section.

Only **one** of the following features can be enabled per Lesson:

- Video Progression
- Assignment Uploads
- Forced Lesson Timer

Enabling one will disable the others.

![LearnDash lesson display & content settings](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/learndash-lesson-display-content-settings.jpg)## Adding Lesson Materials

Lesson materials are optional resources that support the Lesson content. These might include:

- PDFs or downloadable files
- Images or audio files
- Links to external websites

To add Lesson Materials:

1. Toggle on the **Lesson Materials** option.
2. Enter your content in the provided field (HTML is supported).

**Tip:** Lesson materials appear in a separate tab next to the main Lesson content.

![LearnDash lesson materials frontend example](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/learndash-lesson-materials-frontend-example.jpg)**NOTE**: Between video progression, assignment uploads and lesson timer, only one of the three can be enabled at a time. Enabling one of these options will make the other two inaccessible.

## Setting Up Video Progression

The Video Progression feature ensures students watch the entire video before completing the lesson. Check out the [full guide on Video Progression](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/learndash/video-progression/) for detailed instructions.

**Video Progression** ensures Students watch the entire video before completing the Lesson.

- Toggle on **Video Progression** to enable this feature.
- For detailed setup, see [Using Video Progression with Lessons](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/learndash/video-progression/).

**Note:** Enabling Video Progression will disable Assignment Uploads and the Forced Lesson Timer.

## **Enabling Assignment Uploads**

![LearnDash upload assignment frontend example](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/learndash-upload-assignment-frontend-example.jpg)To allow users to upload assignments to the lesson, enable the Assignment Uploads option. You’ll be presented with a few additional options:

### File extensions

Allow students to upload files as part of their Lesson submission.

To enable Assignment Uploads:

1. Toggle on the **Assignment Uploads** option.
2. Configure the following options:

### File Extensions

- Enter allowed file types (e.g., `doc, pdf, jpg`) — without the period.
- Separate multiple types with commas.
- Leave blank to allow all file types.

Example: `doc, docx, xls, xlsx, ppt, pptx`

[Here’s a list of common file extensions](https://fileinfo.com/filetypes/common)

### File size limit

Enter a value like `5M` to limit uploads to 5 megabytes.

The lower value between your setting and your hosting limit will be used.

**NOTE**: If file uploads are failing, check your [host’s](https://learndash.com/support/docs/getting-started/hosting/) upload limit.

### Points

- Toggle on **Points** to award points for submissions.
- Enter the number of points students should earn.

### Grading Type

Choose how assignments are approved:

- **Auto-approve** (default): Files are accepted instantly, and points awarded automatically.
- **Manually approve**: Admin or Group Leader must approve before the Lesson can be marked complete.

If using manual approval, two additional options appear:

- **Limit Number of Uploads**: Set a maximum number of files per student. Leave blank for unlimited.
- **Allow File Deletion**: Let students delete uploaded files before approval.

**Note:** Assignment Uploads are not available if Video Progression or a Lesson Timer is enabled.

## Adding a Forced Lesson Timer

The **Forced Lesson Timer** requires students to stay on the Lesson page for a set time before marking it complete.

To enable:

1. Toggle on **Forced Lesson Timer**.
2. Enter the required time in this format: `HH:MM:SS` (e.g., `00:15:00` for 15 minutes).

The timer will display below the **Mark Complete** button. This setting cannot be used with Video Progression or Assignment Uploads

![LearnDash forced lesson timer example](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/learndash-forced-lesson-timer-example-animation.gif)**Note**: A lesson can only use one of these features at a time: **Video Progression**, [**Assignment**](https://learndash.com/support/glossary/assignment/) **Uploads**, or **Forced** [**Lesson**](https://learndash.com/support/glossary/lesson/) **Timer**. Choose the one that aligns best with the [Lesson](https://learndash.com/support/glossary/lesson/)’s objectives.

## Next Steps

Depending on how each Lesson is structured, choose the feature that best supports learning goals:

- Use **Video Progression** to ensure content is fully viewed
- Enable **Assignment Uploads** for student-submitted work
- Apply a **Lesson Timer** to pace learning

For more customization options, see [Lesson Settings](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/learndash/lesson-settings/).