Building Media Templates

The templates builder section of the Media Manger is provided as a sandbox area to construct media pages for the purpose of converting them into templates. These templates can then be used to create identical, consistent media pages for display to the public.

The process of creating a media page template is nearly identical to the process of creating a media page from scratch with the exception of the last few steps. However, please take note of these additional considerations.

Building media page templates

Before you begin the process of building a media page or media page template, confirm that you have all the required categories and meta information prepared. If you haven't yet created the options you need pause now and add them to the tool.

Step 1: Create a template builder subfolder

You can't create template media pages directly in the templates builder folder. You will need to first create a sub-folder to store your media pages. If you already have a subfolder you can skip this step.

To create a templates builder subfolder, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Media Manager node in the content tree and open it
2. Open the 'Templates Builder' node. A list of existing subfolders will expand
3. Right click the "Templates Builder" node to open the node options menu
4. Select 'Create'
5. Select the 'Media Pages Subfolder' document type
6. Enter the subfolder name in the 'Enter a name...' field. Examples might include Bylaw Templates, Policy Templates, or Real Estate Templates.
7. Switch to the advanced tab and disable delete, if necessary. This prevents the template subfolder from being deleted by non-administrator back office users
8. Select 'Save and publish...' to complete the process

Step 2: Create a media page template

Once you have your subfolder, categories, and meta information prepared, you can begin creating your media page template.

To create a media page template, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Media Manager node in the content tree and open it
2. Open the 'Templates Builder' node. A list of existing subfolders will expand
3. Right click the target subfolder node to open the node options menu
4. Select 'Create'
5. Select the 'Media Page' document type
6. Choose an existing template as your starting point or select 'Blank' to build a template from scratch. For these instructions, we'll assume we're using the blank option
7. Enter the media page name in the 'Enter a name...' field
8. Select the 'Add' button next to 'File' field to add a document to the media page. The 'Select media' dialogue will open. Choose a file from your media section or upload a new option using the button at the upper right. Note that documents added to templates are place holders only and will be replaced when creating individual media pages
9. In the 'Categories' field select 'Add'. Choose all that apply from the list provided. Once again these will be placeholders for the purpose of the template
10. Next we'll add the meta information for the media page. Each meta information field is data that will appear with your document on the media page.
11. In the 'Meta information field, select 'Add content'. The 'Add content' dialogue will open
12. Select the type of meta information to add. This will create a new field in the 'Meta information' section of the page
13. Select the 'Add' button next to 'Meta information' in the new field. This will open the 'Select content dialogue'. Choose the meta information from the options available.
14. Enter a 'Value' for the meta information field. This value can be left blank on the template or you can add placeholder text
15. Repeat steps 10 to 13 for each meta information field you would like in your template
16. Move to the 'Content' tab at the top of your page and specify a layout and headings for your template if required
17. If you would like to add additional text to the top of your media page template you can do so using the 'Text' field in 'Summary' tab. This text will appear just below the list of categories and above the details table
18. Select 'Save and publish...' to complete the initial page setup. To be able to use your page as a template you will need to complete one more process

Step 3: Convert the media page template

The media page template you've created will appear only in the 'Templates Builder' section of the media manager. To be available as a template when creating new pages in the 'Media Pages' section, you'll need to use your page to create a system template.

To create a system template from your media page template, you'll need to follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Media Manager node in the content tree and open it
2. Open the 'Templates Builder' node
3. Open the target subfolder and select your media page template. The page will open for editing.
4. Select 'Actions' at the upper right of the page and choose the 'Create Content Template...' option
5. In the 'Create Content Template' dialogue enter a name for your template. You may want to include a version number. System templates cannot be updated so the only option if updating will be a new version.
6. Select 'Create'

Your template will now be available in the 'Create' dropdown in the 'Media Pages' section of the media manager and can be used as a starting point for future entries.

Pro tip

These templates are starting points only. They are not connected to the documents created from them. Updating your media page template will not alter or update the pages created from them. If edits are required, you will have to make updates on a page by page basis.

What's next?

With your templates complete you can begin creating media pages to display your documents on your website.