DotNetNuke User Guide: Module

Content Modules are pre-made web design tools that you add to design functionality to your web page. For each portal web page you add as many modules as you need. If you read the short tutorial on Getting Started User Guide you have already added a content module to your portal page.

Modules can be as simple as displaying a countdown clock to sophisticated modules like inventory, invoicing or chat to complete web page design and much more.

Module Guide explanations and instructions include:

• The Administrators Menu Bar: Create new pages, add content modules and view previews.
• Add a Content Module.
• Position a Content Module.
• Edit or Delete a Content Module.
• Module Options.

Administrators Menu Bar

The Administrators Menu Bar allows you to create new pages, add content modules and preview the result. When an administrator or host account logs in they will see the following menu bar appear at the top of the page.

Figure 9 - Administrators Menu Bar

Administrator Menu Bar Features:

Tab Admin

• Add: Click on the Add button to create a new tab / page.
• Edit: Click on the Edit button to modify the current tab / page settings.

Module Selector

• Select a module from the drop down Module List box.
• Click on the Question Mark icon to display the Module description.

Pane

• Select a display pane from the drop down Pane list to place your module in. The number and type of Panes will vary with different skins.

Align

• Select an Alignment style for placing your module within the pane.

Add

• Click on the Add button to create and position your module on the page.

Content

• Click off the Content Indicator checkbox to not display module contents.

Preview

• Click on the Preview Indicator checkbox to display the page in a user view state. Although I find this state to not be exactly as viewed by the users. Make yourself a plain registered user account to use so that you can login as a registered user and see the page correctly.

The Module List box located in the Administrators menu bar lists all the modules installed in your portal.  Get the module description by selecting the module title from the drop down module list and clicking on the Question Mark icon. The description is displayed at the bottom of the administrators menu bar.

You have now completed the Administrator’s Menu Bar.

This following explains how to add, edit, position and delete a module from your portal page.

Add a Module

1. Use The Administrators Menu Bar to select a module from the dropdown Module list.
2. Select a Pane from the drop down Pane List. – note the number and type of Panes will vary with different skins.
3. Position the module within the frame using the Align drop down list box.
4. Click on the Add button.

You have now added a content module to your page.

Position a Module

1. Mouse over the pencil icon to display the repositioning buttons located in the menu.
2. Click on the tab to move the module to the Pane of your choice.

You have repositioned your module.

Edit a Module

This applies to most modules or functionality within your Portal. Each page that you create under the portal is made up of building blocks, called modules. There are different modules, any of which can be used on your page. Each module typically has two main functions that can be done from the page; these are shown below. If the module cannot be edited for content then you might not see any Edit on the top left of the module container.

Click on the edit icon in the top left corner of the module container to access the module options form. The Edit icon symbols  or [Actions] change with DNN upgrades.

The module options are described below, and are common for any module. Titles are important as they are used by the search engines and more. Even if you don't want to display the title make it meaningful to your content.

Click "Update" to save your changes. If you wish to cancel your changes, click on "Cancel".

You have now completed the Module User Guide.