Content blocks (blocks, for short) serve as the bedrock of bridging assets and other web elements with the page layout. Content blocks can be tailored to pull in assets created within a specific BLOX application (such as Editorial Assets or BLOX e-Edition) on an on ongoing basis using rules that you create. Additionally, blocks may also be configured to display other types of web elements, such as images and text for promotional use, newsletter or push notification signup, or even HTML.
The process of creating a content block involves the following steps:
Selecting the block type. The block type is the BLOX application of origin in which it was created.
Selecting the block template. The block template determines the look and feel of the block.
Configure the Query rules. Query rules are stackable rules that determine what gets pulled into a block.
Configure the Sorting rules. Sorting rules are stackable rules that determine how content is ordered in a block.
Configure the maximum number of assets that can populate a block and First item.
Configure the Appearance options. These options allow the template to be refined to taste.
Configure the Link options. Link options allow either internal or external links to be included within the block, independent of assets.
Creating a meaningful name for the block within the Configuration tab.
How to create a content block
Within the Blocks Library, select +New and then Content block. This will populate the Create a new block window.
Within the "Choose a block type" menu on the left, select the source application that the block should pull assets from. A block can only pull assets from one application. The Static (no assets) option should be used for creating blocks that won't be pulling in assets from the CMS, such as ad or promotional blocks.
Within the "Choose a block template" menu on the right, use the slider to browse through the available templates within the library. Each template includes a detailed description, along with a thumbnail representation of what the block could look like. Make a selection and then choose Continue to build the new block.
When a new block has been created, it will automatically pull in assets native to the application chosen for the block type. The block will feature a number of default Query and Sorting rules.
Set Query and Sorting Rules
Query rules control what content gets pulled into a block, while Sorting rules control how the content is displayed. These rules operate on an inclusion/exclusion basis. To learn more about Query and Sorting rules, please review the following:
Learn how Sorting rules can be used to control what order content gets pulled in once the Query rules have been satisfied.
Set Max Number of Assets and First item
The max number of assets can be configured within the lower-right corner by selecting Change. Next, within the Change query size window, modify the Max. items value. Content blocks support up to 50 assets, or up to 150 assets per page. We recommend setting the Max Number between 1-25, as assets over 25 typically no longer have relevance.
Additionally, the First item can be defined for a block. The First item is a generated asset position, based on the Query and Sort rules. By default, blocks are automatically configured with a First item of 1. This allows the most-recent asset to get pulled in, as long as the Query and Sorting rules have been met. If the First item value was set to 2, the most-recent asset would be ignored and the block would feature the second most-recent asset first.
For example, a section page could feature 2 content blocks, one prominent block at the top of the layout, pulling in the most-recent asset, with a First item of 1. This block would be followed by a second, secondary block that pulls in up to 50 assets, with a First item of 2. If the secondary block had a First item of 1, we would see a duplication of the most-recent story, once instance within the primary block and the other within the secondary block.
BLOX Customizations
Customizations listed within the Appearance and Link tabs are also set to the default settings.
The appearance tab is where you control the visual look of the block.
Block title: This allows you to enter text that will tell your visitors what content this block is showing.
Title link URL: This will turn the block title into a clickable link. Usually this is to take your visitors to the appropriate section. To do so simply enter /section to create the link. You can also link to subsections by following the URL path (/section/subsection).
Template customizations: This is where you can affect the look of the block. Template customizations are best thought of as on/off switches. You can choose to show or hide a particular item. All template customizations fall into one of five options: a checkbox, a radio button, a hex code, a text field, or a dropdown. Most options will have a tool tip that explains what the option will do.
CSS class: This allows you to override the site CSS for this one block.
The configuration tab is mostly an informational that allows you to better search for the block in the Block Library.
Name: This is the name of the block in the Block Library. By default it will have the name of the block template in this field. It is recommended that you update this to something that is more easily searchable.
Description: As the title implies, this allows you to note what the block is being used for.
Tags: These are keywords that will allow you to search for the block in the Block Library.
Disable block: This turns the block off so it doesn't show its contents on the front end of the site. The block will remain in place is the Design/Blocks application but will change to a red color on the page.
Block usage: This shows every URL where this block is being used on your site.
Inside the Widget tab you'll find an embed code that you can use or distribute to place an iframe of this block's content onto another site, usually a sister site.
The embed code is auto-generated, but can be manipulated to fit the space desired.
Content Block Customizations
This collection highlights the various tabs that are included with most non-static content blocks that pull content from the CMS.
The appearance tab is where you control the visual look of the block.
Block title: This allows you to enter text that will tell your visitors what content this block is showing.
Title link URL: This will turn the block title into a clickable link. Usually this is to take your visitors to the appropriate section. To do so simply enter /section to create the link. You can also link to subsections by following the URL path (/section/subsection).
Template customizations: This is where you can affect the look of the block. Template customizations are best thought of as on/off switches. You can choose to show or hide a particular item. All template customizations fall into one of five options: a checkbox, a radio button, a hex code, a text field, or a dropdown. Most options will have a tool tip that explains what the option will do.
CSS class: This allows you to override the site CSS for this one block.
The configuration tab is mostly an informational that allows you to better search for the block in the Block Library.
Name: This is the name of the block in the Block Library. By default it will have the name of the block template in this field. It is recommended that you update this to something that is more easily searchable.
Description: As the title implies, this allows you to note what the block is being used for.
Tags: These are keywords that will allow you to search for the block in the Block Library.
Disable block: This turns the block off so it doesn't show its contents on the front end of the site. The block will remain in place is the Design/Blocks application but will change to a red color on the page.
Block usage: This shows every URL where this block is being used on your site.
Inside the Widget tab you'll find an embed code that you can use or distribute to place an iframe of this block's content onto another site, usually a sister site.
The embed code is auto-generated, but can be manipulated to fit the space desired.
To save the block, select the Save Changes option at the bottom of the block. Once saved, it will be available within the Blocks Library where it can be further modified or dragged into the page layout for public viewing.
How to create an HTML block
HTML snippets may be used for displaying content not being served directly from BLOX CMS.
Paste the HTML within the HTML tab, finalize the block name and then Save changes.
