Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Find quick answers about DrawSplat and SplatWorks. Each answer links to a guide when you need more detail. Use Search the wiki to find a topic across all guides.

Getting started

What is DrawSplat?

DrawSplat is a browser-based whiteboard for teaching and creating. Draw, write, add images, organize pages, and record explanations. See whiteboard features.

Is DrawSplat free?

Yes. The software has no per-student or per-seat charge. Running a school server may have costs, and paid setup or training is optional. See pricing. To support DrawSplat development, you can buy the developer a coffee. This is optional.

Do I need an account?

No account is needed for a browser-only board. School classrooms and private online saving need a configured service and a sign-in. Start with the Teacher Quick Start.

Where do I open the whiteboard?

Use your school’s link, or choose Apps → Whiteboard on this site. You can also open the whiteboard directly.

Which browser or device should I use?

Use an up-to-date browser and test it on the devices your class will use. A larger screen makes editing easier. Media recording needs browser permission; school device policies may block it. Check accessibility and known limits.

Why does my board start with a white background?

A new board starts plain white so you can choose what your lesson needs. Add a grid, graph paper, or a template when useful. See templates and backgrounds.

Saving and sharing

Does DrawSplat save my work automatically?

Browser autosave keeps a draft in the current browser. It does not upload the board to a school account. For online storage, use File → Save online after signing in to your configured service. See saving and exporting.

How do I keep a backup of my board?

Use Save File to download a .drawsplat.json board. Keep it somewhere you can find again, then use Load File to reopen it. PNG and PDF exports are useful for sharing, but keep a board file for later editing.

Can I open my board on another device?

Yes. Move a saved board file to that device, or use your school’s online Save/Open service. Browser autosave alone does not move between devices. See online saving.

Why is my work missing on a shared device?

The device may use a different browser profile or clear browser data when you sign out. Private browsing also uses temporary storage. Check your saved files and online boards; ask the school for help before clearing anything else. See browser-only setup.

How do I share work or turn in an assignment?

Follow your teacher’s directions. You may export a file, turn in a district assignment, or use a configured Apps Script room. These are separate sharing paths. See collaboration and turn-ins.

Are audio and video notes included in an online board?

Yes, when you add the finished recording to the board and save it online. A recording draft stays local until added and saved. The district service’s default board limit is 20 MB, so long recordings may be too large. See what gets saved.

What should I do if another device saved a newer version?

Save your current work to a local board file first. Then reopen the online copy and decide which changes to keep. Do not discard a draft before you have a backup. See saving and exporting.

School accounts and classrooms

How does a teacher get started at a self-hosted school?

Open the school’s whiteboard and choose Options → Get Started with Your School. Use the school sign-in method shown there. Teachers do not need the separate Teacher Admin settings password to begin on a configured district setup. See Teacher Quick Start.

Can teachers and students sign in with Google?

Yes, after the district sets up Google sign-in, allowed school domains, and roster-linked accounts. Google identifies the user; MariaDB or MySQL stores the district work. See classrooms and rosters.

Does a roster CSV create Google accounts or passwords?

No. The district administrator imports school email addresses and class information. Google accounts must already exist, and Google sign-in must be configured. Preview the import before applying it. See the roster guide.

Who adds teachers and creates classrooms?

The district administrator manages teachers and rosters through district roster administration. Teachers use their assigned classrooms for lessons, turn-ins, and feedback. See school setup and operations.

Is the district administrator password the same as the Teacher Admin password?

No. The district administrator account manages the school service and rosters. The Teacher Admin lock protects local advanced settings. Neither is a shared classroom login. See the account types.

Does Google sign-in give DrawSplat access to my Google Drive?

School sign-in and Drive access are separate. Optional Google-backed saving has its own setup and permissions. Review Google OAuth permissions before connecting a service.

Installation and maintenance

Can a district host the whole suite?

Yes. Download the complete district package, extract it, and open start-here.html. The checklist includes the whiteboard, SplatWorks, tools, widgets, and games. Components start checked; uncheck anything you do not need. See district Quick Start.

Do I have to use Docker?

No. Docker is the preferred path, but you can also install without it. Choose Docker or Native at the start of the installation checklist. The next two answers explain each path’s requirements and ports.

What does Docker hosting need, and which ports does it use?

Install Docker with Compose and use the district launcher. It runs Node.js, the saving API, Caddy, and the bundled database in containers. You do not need separate host installations of those tools.

• 8080: local website and setup page, at http://localhost:8080/setup.
• 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS): gateway ports for a district domain with HTTPS. Allow incoming web traffic when setting up that domain.
• 8787: saving API inside Docker’s private network; it is not published to the host.
• 3306: bundled MariaDB or MySQL inside Docker’s private network; it is not published to the host.

The default local gateway binds to 127.0.0.1. Follow Docker setup and domain settings before making the service available to your school.

What does native hosting need, and which ports does it use?

Install Node.js 22+, Caddy 2, and MariaDB or MySQL on the host. The native launcher runs the API and gateway; the database runs as a system service.

• 8080: local website and setup page, at http://localhost:8080/setup.
• 8787: saving API on localhost, behind the gateway; keep it private.
• 3306: the usual MariaDB or MySQL port; keep database access private.
• 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS): gateway ports for a district domain with HTTPS. Allow incoming web traffic when setting up that domain.

If a local port is already in use, choose an alternative on the first launch. See native installation and port settings.

Where are the Docker installation instructions?

The district installation guide includes Docker preparation and links to official installation steps. The supplied Debian helper can check the host, prepare Docker, and verify it. Review the steps for your operating system before running them.

Does DrawSplat work with both MariaDB and MySQL?

Yes. Both use the same saving API. The district package supports bundled MariaDB or MySQL, as well as your own database. Choose the engine before the first launch. See MySQL / MariaDB setup.

Which email and password do I use during first-time setup?

Use the private setup key printed by the launcher to open setup. Choose a district administrator email and password. The starter email is [email protected]; the starter password is unique to the installation and hidden by default. There is no universal password. See first-time setup.

Do I need to enter database credentials for the bundled Docker database?

No. Keep Bundled database selected. The server uses its generated connection and ignores form overrides. Choose My own database only for a native or external database. See the database guide.

What if the database is healthy but the connection test fails?

A running database may still reject the API’s login. Follow the diagnostic message and check the selected database mode, credentials, and connection settings. Do not delete database volumes to fix a normal login error. See connection setup.

Can I rerun setup or change the installed components?

You can rerun the checklist and launchers with an updated plan. They preserve existing settings and data. Changing database engines or moving between Docker and native hosting needs a planned migration; a checkbox does not move the data. See rerunning Quick Start.

What should the school back up?

Back up the database and private configuration, including the password pepper used by the service. Protect the copies and test a restore in a separate installation. Local student project files need their own backup plan. See backup and recovery.

Privacy, access, and licensing

Where is student work stored?

It depends on the saving path. Browser drafts stay in that browser; district online boards go to the school’s database; configured Apps Script workflows use Google services. Ask the school which path it uses. See data handling.

Does signing out erase work from a shared device?

Signing out of the online account ends that session but leaves local device copies. Follow the school’s cleanup process after saving important work. See saving and exporting.

How can a parent ask to view or delete a child’s records?

Contact the school and follow its published request process. Family Access Tools works only with a configured Apps Script family service; it does not manage every district installation. Start with Parents and students.

Does installing DrawSplat make a school legally compliant?

No. The school still needs to review its setup, policies, access controls, and agreements. The Wiki provides review documents and lists known gaps. See Compliance and district review and the NDPA / DPA packet.

Does the Apps Script Compliance Console manage MariaDB classrooms?

No. It manages its own Google-backed workflows. District database records need the district’s own access, retention, export, and deletion procedures. See the Compliance Console guide.

Can we modify and self-host DrawSplat?

Yes, under the applicable open-source licenses. DrawSplat generally uses AGPL; some components, including SplatWorks apps, have their own notices. Keep those notices and meet the source-sharing duties that apply. See licensing.

Who owns the work I create?

Work belongs to its respective authors. Images, music, templates, and other media may have separate license rules. Check permission and attribution needs before sharing. See licensing and content ownership.

SplatWorks

What is included in SplatWorks?

WriteSplat is for writing, ShowSplat for slides, GridSplat for spreadsheets, and ListSplat for structured records. The suite overview helps you choose.

Do SplatWorks apps need a database or an account?

You can use them as browser apps without either. Hosting them with the district suite does not automatically connect every project file to whiteboard account-based saving. Save project backups regularly. See the suite guide.

What happens if I open a file in the wrong SplatWorks app?

SplatWorks opens a new tab in the matching app and carries the file over. Word documents go to WriteSplat, presentations to ShowSplat, and spreadsheets to GridSplat. Native SplatWorks project files also open in their matching app. Allow popups if your browser asks. The matching app must be installed at the same website.

Your existing saved projects stay in place. Save the imported project before closing its new tab. Transfers stay in your browser; the file is not uploaded. Older DOC, XLS, and PPT files need to be saved in a supported modern format first.

Can I exchange files with other office apps?

Yes. Use these formats to move work between SplatWorks and Microsoft Office or LibreOffice:

Keep an original and check the converted file. GridSplat reads the first worksheet and supports common values, formulas, basic formatting, and merged cells. ListSplat’s CSV files transfer records, not database forms, queries, or relationships. Complex layouts, charts, media, and macros may not carry over. See the app guides.

Learning and support

How can I support multilingual learners?

Use a short prompt, a model, and a choice of response formats. Students can combine drawings, text, and recorded explanations. Home-language labels can support new vocabulary. See teaching tools and lesson ideas.

Where can I check accessibility support?

Read the accessibility statement for support and known limits. Test the planned task with the learner’s devices and access tools, and ask the school about accommodations.

Who should I contact for help?

For school accounts, assignments, or records, start with the teacher or school help desk. For an app bug or service inquiry, use Contact and support. Include the app, browser, and steps to repeat the issue; leave out passwords and student records.