WMS: Create and configure a Global block


OVERVIEW

Target audience: Site Administrators, Site Managers

This article demonstrates the steps to create Global blocks which are used to display content on multiple pages. If you want to create a block on just one page please see Layout builder for instructions on creating layout blocks.

For more information on the difference between Layout blocks and Global Blocks. See WMS Global vs Layout Blocks.

In this article:

announcement

NOTE: this article refers to a process to be used on sites that have already migrated to the New WMS.

If your site has not yet migrated see the Index of documentation for the McGill Web Management System.

Create a Global block

To create a basic page:

  1. Click Content.
  2. Click Blocks.
  3. Click Add Content block.
  4. Select the style of block. 
  5. Fill in the required fields and optional content fields.
  6. Click Save and Configure to go directly to the configuration screen, or Save to save your block and configure later.

Configure your Global block to one or more page(s)

Once you have created your block, you will need to configure it to one or more page(s) and select the region or regions in which it will display.

  1. Click Manage.
  2. Click Structure.
  3. Click Block Layout. 
    This screen displays the blocks that are currently configured to regions and pages.
  4. In the region you choose to configure your block, Click place block.
  5. Choose the block from the list and click place block. 
    The block configuration screen will be displayed.
  6. Complete relevant fields in each section. 
    1. Select the view mode.
    2. The Pages tab allows you to add the node(s) for the pages you would like the block to appear on. If no pages are added, the block will appear on all pages.
    3. The region for the block can be set or changed.
  7. Click Save.
  8. Click Save Blocks.

Select a view mode and region for a Global block

View Mode: Blocks are set to third, half or full width size. These are proportionate to the page content width, apart from the Hero block. 

Additional options "Default" and "Enhanced" appear on Call-to-Action blocks placed in the Highlighted region, which will place a CTA block in a prominent position in the right sidebar.

To set the view mode:

Set the view mode on a new block: 

  1. Create a new block, complete required fields and click Save and Configure. 
  2. On the configuration screen select the view mode.  
  3. Click Save.

To change the view mode on an existing block:  

  1. Navigate to the block administration screen and click Configure. 
  2. On the configuration screen select the view mode. 
  3. Click Save.

Regions:  

Blocks are placed in Regions which will indicate where they appear in relation to your page.   

  • Highlighted: Select block types including hero blocks (full width of site), and Enhanced call-to-action blocks (right site sidebar, floats upon scroll). 
  • Top of page: Blocks appear above page title.
  • Top of content: Blocks appear below page title. 
  • Bottom of content: Blocks appear below content.
  • Bottom of page: Blocks will align to the page. If there is a vertical navigation, the row of blocks will be wider than the content area.
  • Right sidebar: Blocks appear on the right.

references

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES: