Text Block

Digest

block Text blocks are basic blocks of content that can be reused throughout a site much like an XHTML block. Text blocks are not as widely used as their XHTML counterpart, because text blocks lack the standard WYSIWYG editor contained inside of XHTML blocks that allow for the creation of rich content with images, links, and standard text formatting options.

The text contained by a text block can be plugged into a page region at three different levels:  the template level, the page configuration level, or the page level. When a block is plugged into a page region at the template level, the block content will appear in any pages using that template. Any blocks assigned at the page configuration level will appear in any pages using that configuration.

Concept

Using a Text Block vs. XHTML Block in Cascade

More often than not, an XHTML block will be the desired solution; however, there are appropriate times to make use of a text block instead of an XHTML block. These less likely circumstances involve blocks of content where an administrator desires the user to enter plain text only, without any formatting or images. In this case, a text block is the appropriate solution for the content region. The administrator can then style the text block with an XSLT stylesheet. Like all blocks, a text block may be attached to a template, configuration set, or page, and may be reused across multiple pages. A single change to the text block will be present across all pages of the site that make use of the block.

Technical

Creating a Text Block

Text Blocks are used when there is a need to reuse plain text content. Because Text blocks lack the WYSIWYG capabilities of XHTML blocks, they can be formatted in a number of ways by adding different XSL stylesheets.

To create a text block:

  1. In the Home area, select New ->  Default ->  Block.

new block

  1. Select the Text Block radio button from the list available and click Submit.

  2. On the Content pane:

            Enter any plain text desired.

  1. On the Metadata pane:

            Enter any Metadata desired.

  1. On the System pane:
                     Name - Type in the name of your new block.
                    Parent Folder - This is where the block will be stored. It's most useful to store blocks in a central or common location.
  2. Click Submit to save your block.

new text block

Text blocks may be edited or deleted by selecting the block and choosing the appropriate tab.

More on Text Blocks for Administrators and Managers

A text block is defined by the following WSDL:   

A text block contains plain text content via the "text" field.

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