OpenStax revises textbooks continuously online using user-submitted errata, with changes from March–October generally applied for the spring semester and changes from November–February applied for the fall semester. Substantial updates trigger annual PDF and print revisions at the end of the academic year to minimize disruption and reduce...

OpenStax books are published under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA) license, which allows sharing, adapting, and translating the material but prohibits commercial use. You must credit OpenStax, include the book title, and link to the free version on every physical page or its digital equivalent. If...

This article explains where to find pre-formatted attributions and citation details for OpenStax books. On any book’s online page, use the Citation/Attribution dropdown at the bottom for pre-formatted attributions, citation information, and a link to a citation generator for MLA, APA, Chicago, and other styles. To access it, go to...

The CC BY-NC-SA license used by OpenStax permits users to access, use, adapt, and remix its books provided they give proper attribution to OpenStax, share any adaptations under the same license, and do not use the materials for commercial purposes. Typical educational activities such as classroom instruction and coursework are generally...

After you submit an errata request through the errata tool, you will receive email updates as it moves through review and your submission will appear in the book’s Errata List where you can view and filter entries by status. All requests are reviewed by subject matter experts and approved changes are applied to the online book as soon as...

You can view highlights and notes on tablet, iPad, and mobile but you cannot create, edit, or delete highlights or notes on those devices. Highlights created on desktop or laptop appear inline on mobile pages; highlights with notes show a triangle marker and can be tapped to open the note. Tap the three-line menu to open My Highlights to...

OpenStax partners with technology providers that offer affordable tools to complement textbooks, including content customization, online homework, engagement tools, and adaptive courseware. Use the OpenStax Technology Partners tool to explore and compare products with Book, Type, Advanced, and Sort filters. Click a partner tile to view...

Log out of OpenStax and any LMS, then log back in. Close OpenStax tabs and reload the book, or refresh the page and clear your browser history. Use an up-to-date browser such as Chrome or Firefox instead of Internet Explorer. If you get a network error, check your router and network settings and, if possible, try a different device or...

This guide helps identify unofficial OpenStax textbook copies and manage returns. OpenStax allows third-party printing under a Creative Commons license, but official editions list OpenStax or Kendall Hunt as the publisher/seller on Amazon. For refunds, contact the seller or follow Amazon’s return policy. If a two-volume set is incomplete,...

OpenStax textbooks are published under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license, which permits users to share and adapt the content for noncommercial purposes, including educational use. Users may share materials in any format, adapt and remix content, and translate materials. Attribution must be provided by...

OpenStax textbooks are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) license. You may freely share, adapt, remix, and translate the material for noncommercial purposes, provided you credit OpenStax, include the book title and a link to the free version, and distribute any adaptations under the...

OpenStax is committed to improving accessibility and follows WCAG 2.0–2.2 AA and Section 508 standards, partnering with Level Access for audits and remediation. The online web view is the most accessible format, offering readable text, alt text, MathML, and detailed descriptions for complex graphics; other formats (PDF, DOCX, ancillary...

OpenStax provides four types of supplemental resources for each textbook: Instructor Resources, Student Resources, Technology Partner Resources, and an OER Commons Hub. Instructors can view and download course materials on the Instructor Resources tab but must request and verify an OpenStax Educator account to access assessment materials....

To get started with OpenStax, visit openstax.org/subjects, select your textbook category, click the book cover to open its details page, and choose a format under "Get the book" to read online or download a PDF. If you prefer a physical copy, select "Order a print copy" on the book page to purchase through OpenStax’s print partner or your...

OpenStax aims to keep textbooks affordable and cannot fund printing or shipping of complimentary review copies, so instructors and departments should purchase review copies through campus bookstores or the distributor Kendall Hunt. The full PDF of each textbook is available free on the book’s Details page on OpenStax.org and is identical...

If you received a "We couldn't verify your account" email after creating an OpenStax Instructor account, contact OpenStax Customer Support at support@openstax.org for help. Verification may have failed with the original form information, but the team accepts additional documentation to confirm your instructor status and contact details....

To suggest a correction, log in at openstax.org/subjects, select the book, go to its Details page, open the Errata section, click Suggest a Correction, complete the form, and submit with optional attachments. The errata tool emails updates and submissions are reviewed by subject experts. Errata submitted March–October are fixed online for...

To access an OpenStax textbook, go to the Subjects page on openstax.org, select the category, click the desired book cover or title, and choose the preferred format under "Get the book" on the book details page. PDF and online formats are available for free. Instructors may link the book details page in syllabi and should encourage...

Import available QTI 2.1 Test Bank files for select OpenStax titles from the book’s Instructor Resources Google Drive after signing into a verified OpenStax Educator account. Download individual chapter QTI .zip files, then in Canvas go to Settings > Import Course Content, choose Content Type “QTI .zip file,” select the file, create a new...

The Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness Tutor course links to Handouts stored in Google Drive. Open the provided link, sign in to a Google account, and choose "Open with Google Docs." In the Doc, select File > Make a copy to save an editable version to your Drive. Alternatively, download the Handout to your computer and edit it in...

OpenStax provides multiple methods to adjust font size when viewing textbooks online. To use the built-in feature, navigate to the OpenStax Subjects page, select your textbook category, choose "View Online" from the Get the book menu, and click the AA icon on the right side of the search bar. A slider will appear that allows you to...

OpenStax creates textbooks by hiring faculty and subject-matter experts from across the country to write and collaborate on content. The drafts undergo an extensive peer review and editorial process before publication. Most OpenStax authors, writers, editors, and reviewers are practicing academics and instructors selected based on their...

OpenStax, a nonprofit organization affiliated with Rice University, uses email addresses solely to send updates about their textbooks and resources. They do not sell email addresses or send third-party marketing communications. Users may opt out of email communications at any time. Instructors receive tailored updates specific to the...

OpenStax textbooks are developed with contributions from dozens of college faculty members representing diverse institution types, research backgrounds, geographic regions, and student audiences to ensure balanced content. In disciplines where political or other bias may be a concern, specific measures are taken to provide balanced...

OpenStax creates textbooks through a structured process that begins with securing funding and assembling a team of faculty authors and reviewers selected for their expertise. A lead author or senior editor reviews the manuscript to ensure consistent voice and pedagogy. The content undergoes multiple review stages, including topic-specific...

OpenStax selects titles to publish with the goal of increasing access to education for students. The organization considers two primary factors when deciding which titles to publish: the number of students taking the course nationwide and the cost of existing textbooks for that course. Expansion into new courses depends on whether a new...

OpenStax has discontinued EPUB format downloads due to low usage, with only approximately 1 percent of readers utilizing this format, and the associated maintenance costs. The platform currently provides textbooks in four formats: online web view, PDF, DOCX, and print. Readers can visit OpenStax.org to determine which formats are...

OpenStax offers various accessibility options, including screen-reader compatibility, alt text for images, and text-to-speech via browser features, extensions, or built-in tools like Apple VoiceOver and Android TalkBack. Some titles are available on Bookshare in DAISY, audio, and braille-compatible formats. Faculty-created audiobooks are...

OpenStax periodically creates new revisions of books between editions to incorporate pedagogical updates and corrections. To verify you have the most current revision, compare the revision number in your copy with the number in the PDF downloaded from the book's Details page on openstax.org, which always contains the most current version....

To access OpenStax Instructor Resources, educators must create a free Educator/Researcher account on openstax.org. The process begins by clicking Log in, selecting Sign up, and choosing Educator/Researcher. Users complete the account setup form with their name, email, and password, with a school-issued email recommended for verification....

OpenStax textbooks and courseware are available through inclusive access programs powered by VitalSource. Supported bookstore partners include Barnes & Noble College, Akademos, eCampus, and stores affiliated with NACS and ICBA, with plans to expand to Follett in 2026. Instructors can adopt OpenStax materials by following their...

OpenStax reviews all user-submitted errata through subject matter experts to maintain editorial standards. Online textbook versions are updated twice annually at semester end. PDF and print formats receive updates over the summer when substantial changes exist. The annual release schedule for print updates prevents page number changes...

OpenStax.org displays only the most recent version of each textbook and does not show previous versions. This policy exists for two primary reasons. First, versioned links created confusion among students and instructors, as students were uncertain whether to use the current or previous version when encountering older links. Second,...

OpenStax provides answers to only some textbook exercises, following a standard approach of offering randomized or every-other-answer sets as recommended by faculty. This gives instructors flexibility in assignments, allowing them to choose questions with available answers for student reference or alternate questions without immediate...

OpenStax textbooks offer highlighting and note-taking features in the Online View that allow users to highlight text in multiple colors, add notes, and create study guides. These features are available on openstax.org and require an account to use. Desktop and laptop users have full functionality, including the ability to create, edit,...

The Blackboard Ultra Course Package contains individual links to each OpenStax textbook section, with additional resources available for download on the Instructor Resources tab. To download and install the package, you must first create an empty course or request one from your administrator. Download the compressed ZIP file from...

Moodle Cartridges are available for three OpenStax textbooks: Introduction to Business, Principles of Management, and Psychology 2e. The cartridges may not be compatible with Moodle versions 4 and above. Each course cartridge includes links to textbook sections, and additional instructor resources are available in various formats that...

OpenStax textbooks are developed through a collaborative process that aligns with the scope and sequence of their respective courses. Each title is created on a course-by-course basis with input from dozens of faculty contributors and peer reviewers. The authors and editors are selected to represent diverse institution types, teaching...

OpenStax partners with OER Commons to provide a free platform for sharing community-created resources that support OpenStax books. To access the subject hub, visit your book's Details page on OpenStax.org, click the Instructor Resources tab, and select the blue "Visit the Hub" link on the OER Commons tile. You must register for an account...

OpenStax provides an errata submission tool linked directly on each book page, allowing instructors and users to report items that may need clarification or correction. Once a submission is received, subject matter experts carefully review it to determine whether a revision is needed and appropriate for the text. This review process...

To highlight and take notes in OpenStax books, you must view the book on openstax.org using a desktop or laptop computer and be logged in with an OpenStax account. To create a highlight, select text by clicking and dragging your mouse over it. A pop-up will appear on the right where you can choose a color by clicking on a color circle. To...

This FAQ answer explains how to manage notes and highlights in the system. To edit a note, click the three dot icon on the note-card, select Edit, make your changes, and click the orange Save button. To delete a highlight without a note, click on the highlight and select the circle with the check mark. To delete a highlight that has a...

To download and install the OpenStax Blackboard Learn Course Package, you must first create or have your administrator create an empty course. Download the Blackboard export file from OpenStax and keep it in compressed zip format. No key is required for import. Within your Control Panel, navigate to Packages and Utilities, then select...

This guide explains how to download and install an OpenStax Canvas course cartridge into your learning management system. Instructors must first log in to their OpenStax Educator Account, navigate to the Subjects page, select their textbook, and access Instructor Resources to download the Canvas Course Cartridge file. After downloading,...

Instructors should provide students with a direct link to their course textbook's Book Details page on OpenStax. The Book Details page displays all available textbook formats under the "Get the book" heading, allowing students to select their preferred format. Online and PDF versions remain free. To locate the unique URL, navigate to the...

OpenStax books are available in affordable print versions for both individual buyers and campus bookstores. Individual customers can purchase softcover textbooks through OpenStax's print partner, Kendall Hunt, by navigating to the OpenStax website, selecting their desired subject category, locating the specific book, and choosing "Order a...

Common issues with logging in to Openstax

Download the D2L cartridge from your verified OpenStax Educator account Instructor Resources, then log into Brightspace/D2L and use Settings > Import/Export/Copy Components to upload the cartridge file. Select Import Components, click Upload, wait for the file to process, then choose Import All Components or Advanced Options to customize....

Instructors can integrate OpenStax materials into an LMS by linking the Online View directly to course pages or syllabi, uploading the book PDF from the book details page (note large file sizes may affect load times), or using OpenStax Assignable to create customized assignments within the LMS. Links to chapters and sections remain stable...

Go to openstax.org and click the Log in link in the top-right or center of the screen. Enter your email and password and click Continue to access your account. If you forget your password, click the Forgot your password? link to reset it following the provided instructions. Thank you for your time.

To find an OpenStax textbook ISBN, open the book’s Details page on openstax.org or check the front matter of the PDF or print edition. On the website, select the subject, click the book cover or title to open the Details page, and scroll down past errata to view the Print ISBN and Digital ISBN (the Digital ISBN covers online and PDF...

This article explains how to manage your OpenStax Account Profile. After logging in, open Account Profile from the menu under your name to add additional email addresses, enable other login methods (Google, Facebook, or password), and reset your password. To add an email, use the add an email link and confirm via the confirmation message...