Creating Field Content Units


Prerequisites: See Page Builder Prerequisites for details.


Each field content unit uses a single, basic element type (e.g., text, image, link).

You may have various purposes for the same element type (e.g., a plain text element for a title and a plain text element for a subtitle) across multiple pages. Saving field content units with unique names allow identical element types to have separate purposes and views.

To create a field content unit:

  1. Navigate to Administration > Presentation Content Units. The Management view displays.

    New Field Content Unit

  2. Click New in the Actions menu. The Create/Edit view displays.

    Content Unit Fields

  3. Provide a unique name for the element content unit in the Name field. This name displays in the Design Presentation pane in the Site Tree's Design tab.
  4. In the Icon drop-down list, select an icon to associate with the content unit. If you do not select an icon, a generic icon displays. You can select another icon in edit mode, later.
  5. Enable the Reusable option to allow multiple instances of the element content unit to be used in a single page presentation. If cleared, only one instance of the content unit can be used per presentation.
  6. In the Unit Type field, select Field Content Unit.

    Important: This selection cannot be changed after saving the content unit.

  7. Select the appropriate field type from the Select Field Type drop-down list. The selection displays in the Field tab with fields for a unique name, default value, and an associated view.
  8. Optional: Choose the step that corresponds with your CMS site version.

    • Version Notes: CMS 10.0-10.3

      Use Select Restrictive Parent Template Type to limit the content unit to specific parent component content units. If left blank, this component content unit applies to all types.

      Note: Content units are available for all component content units by default.

      If you need to restrict the content unit to a limited parent component content unit set, follow these steps:

      1. Click Select Restrictive Parent Template Type. The dialog displays.
      2. Select a type in the Choose From list.
      3. Click the right arrow button to move the component content unit to the Selected Choices list.

        Note: To select multiple types, use CTRL+Click.

      4. Click OK.
    • Version Notes: CMS 10.5

      In CMS 10.5, use Select Restrictive Parent Template Type to restrict the content unit to specific parent page schemas. If left blank, this component content unit applies to all types.

      Note: Content units are available for all page types by default.

      Select Restrictive Parent Template Type

      To restrict the content unit to a limited parent page schema set:

      1. Click Select Restrictive Parent Template Type. The Allowed Page Types dialog displays.

        Select Allowed Page/Component Types

      2. Select a type in the Choose From list.
      3. Click the right arrow button to move the type to the Selected Choices list.

        Note: To select multiple types, use CTRL+Click.

      4. Click OK.
  9. Optional: Enable the following attributes of the element selected in the Select Field Type:
    Checkbox Description
    Hidden If selected, the element is obscured from groups that lack permission to view hidden elements.
    Read Only If selected, the element is visible and inaccessible to groups that lack permission to modify read-only elements.
    Required If selected, the page with existing instances of this content unit cannot be checked in without entering an element value.
    Indexable If selected, the element can be added to the index.
  10. Enter values for the following fields.

    Additional Information:

    In addition to the attribute options above, each field content unit has its own set of attributes. For example, the XHTML Editor field contains a Field Label, Tag Name, Default Value, and Height, where the Tag Name is required.

    Element Attributes in the Fields Tab

    For a complete description of fields, attributes, and attribute descriptions, see Field Type Values.

  11. Optional: See Blocking Group Content Unit Access for details to prevent specific groups from accessing the field unit.
  12. When you're finished, click Save in the Content Unit Actions menu.

    Note: An asterisk next to the Blocked Groups field indicates unsaved changes.

    Unsaved Changes

Next Steps: Choose one of the following: