#01-019

Using Templates as the basis for new pages

How do I define a template in WebExpress 3.0?

I have a page whose format (color, table sizes, cell sizes, etc.) I want to replicate. How can I save that formatting as a template (other than “normal.wbt”) and how can I use it as a basis for other pages?

Go to File > Save As and choose Web Page Template from the Save as type pulldown menu.

Discussion: WebExpress 3.0 adds a new feature known as “templates.” You can now set background sound file, background image, background color, text color, link color, viewed link color, and active link color for all the pages in your site using a template. In the web page properties window there is a field labeled, “Based on Template:” This defaults to “normal.wbt.” You can easily make changes throughout the site by loading “normal.wbt” file and changing the properties of this page. This file is located in \mvtemp which will be a subdirectory of your site’s root directory. For existing sites, however, you must load in each page and set the “Based on Template:” field. Once set, you will be able to make changes throughout the site by changing the template file and using the “Update Web Pages” button.

Note: If you have a web site open, when you create a new web page the program will look in the site’s mvtemp folder for templates. If you have no site open, then it will look in the default mvtemp folder (c:\program files\mvapps\websites\mvtemp).

Limitations

You can only use templates to change background image, background color, text/link/vlink/alink color, and other options in the Web Page Properties dialog box.

If you check the Link web pages to template by default option in preferences (Edit > Preferences), then each new page will have the “Based on Template” field set. (It won’t set every page to the template, but will set new pages.)

The template is not uploaded to the server, so you must make changes to the template on your local drive, and then hit the “Update web pages” button (or choose Edit > Update Web Pages) when you’re in the Website Manager.

Templates can be used as a basic set up for a new web page, or to change existing pages. However, the only changes that can be made to existing pages involve the Web Page properties (background color, background image, text color, link color, etc.). Other elements such as tables, images, etc., will only work as a setup for new web pages, and will not affect existing pages.