1 Getting Started and What You Can Do with Pressbooks

Last update: September 13, 2024

Pressbooks is online software that enables you to design and format any kind of book, and share it in multiple formats, including:

  • PDF: for reading on a digital device or printing
  • EPUB: for Apple iBooks, Nook, Kobo, Kindle and most other ebook platforms
  • Webbook: for reading on a digital device in your browser

Pressbooks is used by independent authors, small and medium-sized publishers, and educational institutions around the world. All book formats are produced using templates that are optimized to look great in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. File exports produced with Pressbooks can be exported and downloaded from Pressbooks and distributed or shared however you like. The advantages of Pressbooks include:

  • A simple, familiar interface
  • Professionally-designed book files, without complex software
  • Unlimited ability to edit, update, and (re)export books
  • Ability to collaborate with other authors and editors
  • A variety of book formats
  • Complete control over your own content

What is a “webbook”?

Pressbooks webbooks are website versions of your book that can be distributed for free to the public. Many use Pressbooks webbooks to produce and distribute open educational resources (OER). Unlike PDFs and ebooks, webbooks are a live version of your book that doesn’t need to be exported or downloaded.

Pressbooks produces a web version of every book. You can view yours at any time by clicking the Visit Book link underneath the title of your book in the top menu. However, your Pressbooks webbook is Private until you change the Global Privacy Setting to Public.

How to access OpenPress/Pressbooks

Wheaton College faculty and Staff

The Wallace Library Research and Instruction Department supports a self-serve and openly licensed instance of Pressbooks: Wheaton College OpenPress.

To sign in to OpenPress for the first time

  1. Go to “Sign In” from the header navigation menu
  2. Sign in using your Wheaton College email address
  3. You will receive a DUO push
  4. Fill out the form
  5. You will now have access to your Pressbooks/OpenPress Dashboard.

Please contact librarians_research@wheatoncollege.edu for account set-up assistance.

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Wheaton College Open Press Guide Copyright © Original Copyright Years 2016-2022 by Cary Gouldin and Jenny Castel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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