Basic Block

A Basic Block is a block for formatted text and images content. With a basic block, you may add a title, text and an image (similar to how you would create a basic page). 

On this page:

 

Content

This section describes the steps to manage basic block content.

 

Creating a Basic Block

  1. Go to Manage > Structure > Custom Block Library
  2. Click Add Custom Block
  3. Choose Basic Block
  4. Provide a Title
  5. Provide a Body
  6. Save

 

Editing a Basic Block

  1. Go to Manage > Structure > Custom Block Library
  2. Find the Basic Block you want to edit 
    • Tip: Use the filter to refine the list and make your search easier by setting the Block type to Basic Block and/or adding a keyword from the title.
  3. Once you find the block you wish to edit, click Edit 
  4. You will be taken to the block edit screen where you can make your desired changes
    • Changes made to the contents of the block will be reflected in all instances of the block except where they are overridden.
  5. Save

 

Deleting a Basic Block

Please note that deleting content is permanent and irreversible.

  1. Go to Manage > Structure > Custom Block Library
  2. Find the Basic Block you want to delete 
    • Tip: Use the filter to refine the list and make your search easier by setting the Block type to Basic Block and/or adding a keyword from the title.
  3. Once you find the block you wish to edit, click the arrow down button next to edit and click Delete
  4. You will be taken to a confirmation page. Click Delete to confirm.
    • Warning: As with all deletions in Drupal, deleting pages is permanent and cannot be undone.
  5. Save

Deleting a block does not automatically unplace / remove it from the page it was placed in. The block will not be visible to public view. Editors will see a warning for a missing block when they edit the layout and should remove it to clean up.

 

Placement

This section describes the steps to place and configure an instance of a basic block. Placing and unplacing a Basic Block in basic pages is the same process as any block.

 

Placing a Basic Block

  1. Visit the page you wish to place the Basic Block in
  2. If you are logged in and able to edit, you should see the local task tabs and be able to click Layout
  3. In the area you want the block to appear, click Add Block
  4. The list of available blocks will then appear at the right hand side of the page. Search for the Basic Block you want to place
  5. Optional: Configure the block
    • With your block placed, click the contextual edit button (Pencil Icon) for the block and select configure.
    • Make your desired configurations
      • See Configurations below to see available configurations for basic blocks.
      • These configurations are for the specific instance of the block. Overrides created here will remain even if the original content has been changed in the library.
    • Click Update
  6. Click Save Layout

 

Configuring a placed Basic Block

  1. Visit the page the Basic Block you wish to configure is in
  2. If you are logged in and able to edit, you should see the local task tabs and be able to click Layout
  3. Hover over the block you wish to configure and click the contextual edit button (Pencil Icon) and click Configure
  4. Make your desired configurations
    • See Configurations below to see available configurations for basic blocks.
    • These configurations are for the specific instance of the block. Overrides created here will remain even if the original content has been changed in the library.
  5. Click Update
  6. Click Save Layout

 

Unplacing / Removing a placed basic Block

  1. Visit the page you the Basic Block you wish to remove is in
  2. If you are logged in and able to edit, you should see the local task tabs and be able to click Layout
  3. Hover over the block you wish to remove and click the contextual edit button (Pencil Icon) and click Remove Block
    • It will simply remove the block from the page
  4. You will be prompted to confirm. Click Remove to confirm
  5. Click Save Layout

 

Inline Basic Block

Please refer to Blocks > Custom Block (Global vs Inline) for information on the differences. The steps in this section essentially describes the content creation and placement of a block in tandem.

 

Creating & Placing an Inline Basic Block

  1. Visit the page you wish to place the Inline Basic Block in
  2. If you are logged in and able to edit, you should see the local task tabs and be able to click Layout
  3. In the area you want the block to appear, click Add Block
  4. Click Create custom block
  5. Choose Basic Block
  6. Fill in the fields and configure as desired
  7. Click Add Block
  8. Click Save Layout

 

Editing & Configuring an Inline Basic Block

  1. Visit the page you the Inline Basic Block you wish to edit and configure is in
  2. If you are logged in and able to edit, you should see the local task tabs and be able to click Layout
  3. Hover over the block you wish to configure and click the contextual edit button (Pencil Icon) and click Configure
  4. Make your desired content edit configurations
  5. Click Update
  6. Click Save Layout

 

Deleting an Inline Basic Block

Please note that deleting content is permanent and irreversible.

  1. Visit the page you the Inline Basic Block you wish to delete is in
  2. If you are logged in and able to edit, you should see the local task tabs and be able to click Layout
  3. Hover over the block you wish to remove and click the contextual edit button (Pencil Icon) and click Remove Block
    • Warning: This will remove the block from the page and delete its contents. As with all deletions in Drupal, this is permanent and can't be undone.
  4. You will be prompted to confirm. Click Remove to confirm
  5. Click Save Layout

 

Specifications

 

Fields

  • Block Description
    • Plain Text
    • This field dictates the block's default title 
  • Body
    • Uses the Rich Text Editor. See Rich Text Editor for details.
    • This field dictates the block's content 

 

Configuration

Configurations and overrides for a specific block instance. Overrides set here will remain even if the actual block's content has been changed in the library. 

  • Title
    • The block's default description can be overridden here to serve as a title. If overridden, it will remain even if the block's description is changed in the library.
  • Display Title
    • Toggles the display of the title on / off

 

Best Practices

  • Use basic blocks to split content in different areas of the page
  • If the content in the the block is only meant to appear in a specific page and not reused, use inline blocks so you can edit it within the same page.
  • If the same basic block is meant to appear on multiple pages, use global blocks.