# How do I create a "calling page" Index Block?

> Settings for the most commonly used Index Block in Cascade CMS, and how to preview one that needs a context page to render.

URL: https://www.hannonhill.com/cascadecms/latest/articles/content-authoring/blocks/create-calling-page-index-block.html
category: Content Authoring
article-type: how-to
content-kind: faq
release-availability: all
tags: blocks, velocity
updated: 2026-10-06

This Index Block, usually called a calling page or current page Index Block, is one of the most used Blocks in Cascade CMS.

## Creating the Index Block

1. Select **Add Content > Block > Index**.
1. Choose a system name, for example "calling-page".
1. **Index Type** — Folder Index
1. **Rendering Behavior** — Render normally, starting at the indexed folder
1. **Depth of Index** — 0
1. **Indexed Asset Content** — check Append Calling Page Data, Regular Content, and User Metadata
1. **Indexed Asset Types** — check Pages
1. **Page XML** — Render page XML inline
1. Click **Submit**.

## Previewing it

Because this type of Index Block needs a context page to render, previewing the Block itself shows:

```xml
<page-required-to-render-this-index-block/>
```

To see the generated XML structure, use the **Preview Format** options when creating or editing a Format: select Block for the asset type, choose your new Index Block, then choose a context page. See [How do I view sample XML when editing a Format?](https://www.hannonhill.com/cascadecms/latest/articles/developing-in-cascade/script-formats/view-sample-xml-when-editing-format.html)