3 Column block
The 3 Column block gives users a quick way to add lists of links. It's for use on all page layouts.
Each row must have a minimum of two links and a maximum of ten. The picture at the top is optional, but for the sake of balance, it looks best if images feature across all three columns or no columns.
Multiple blocks can be added to your pages.
Give it a try
Adding a 3 Column block is a three stage process. (1) Creating hidden subsections (2) Adding 3 Column block items (to add your actual links) (3) Adding the 3 Column block to the page you want the block to appear and linking to your hidden subsection which has your items in.
Stage one
1. Create a hidden sub-section (sub-page) of the section where the 3 Column block will live. This folder must be called 'Column block' (case sensitive).
2. Then create a second hidden sub-section as a child of this page. This can be called anything you like (in this case: 3 col blk items). This folder will contain all three '3 column block items' (see steps below) which have the links and images for each column.
Remember, if you want to add another 3 column block to your page, you'll need a separate hidden folder (create another section in your hidden Column block folder).
Stage two
3. To your hidden section, e.g. 3 col blk items add a 3 Column block item content type (find out how to add a content type to a section) and give it a name, for example, links col 1. (This first 3 Column block item populates the left most column in the block.)
The Section 3 col blk items with the three 3 Column block items listed.
4. A form with a number of fields will appear. Each of these fields relates to the components of your left most Column, fill in the form, example below:
| Field title | What should I do? | Is it compulsory? |
|---|---|---|
| Name* | There will be three of these content types (one for each column), in this example we've named this links col 1 | Yes |
| Title* | Adds a heading to the column | No |
| Show block title | Ticking this box will make the heading show to all users, not just screenreaders | No |
| Image | Add an image, at least 332 x 212 pixels is required | No |
| Link Text 1* | This is the first link in the column's list | Yes |
| Link 1 Internal | Use the Select link to add an internal link OR | No, but each added link must be created or the formatting won't work correctly |
| Link 1 External | Copy and paste URL from external website OR | No, but each added link must be created or the formatting won't work correctly |
| Link 1 Media Library | Add a document (pdf, Word, Powerpoint etc.,) from the Media Library | No, but each added link must be created or the formatting won't work correctly |
| Link Text 2 | This is the second link in the column's list | No |
| Link 2 Internal | Use the Select link to add an internal link OR | No, but each added link must be created or the formatting won't work correctly |
| Link 2 External | Copy and paste URL from external website OR | No, but each added link must be created or the formatting won't work correctly |
| Link 2 Media Library | Add a document (pdf, Word, Powerpoint etc.,) from the Media Library | No, but each added link must be created or the formatting won't work correctly |
| Link Text 3 | This is the third link in the column's list. All links now on are optional | No |
| Link 3 Internal | Use the Select link to add an internal link OR | No, but each added link must be created or the formatting won't work correctly |
| Link 3 External | Copy and paste URL from external website OR | No, but each added link must be created or the formatting won't work correctly |
| Link 3 Media Library | Add a document (pdf, Word, Powerpoint etc.,) from the Media Library | No, but each added link must be created or the formatting won't work correctly |
| Links 4 to 10 | The same pattern of fields repeats for every link | No |
4. Click Add and Approve to save
5. You'll need to add a 3 Column block item for each of the 3 columns in the block (therefore 3 x 3 Column block item.) For consistency in this example links col 2 and links col 3. (Repeat steps 2-5 twice.)
6. Once these are in place you can Modify content in your hidden sub-section, example, column items 1 and should look like the screenshot below:
Stage three
We can now tie the whole thing together.
7. Add a 3 Column block content type to the section where the block will appear, in the example, the section is called 3 Column block (which is the parent of column items 1 See above).
8. A form with a number of fields will appear, fill in the form, example below:
| Field title | What should I do? | Is it compulsory? |
|---|---|---|
| Name* | Name the block giving it a concise description eg. 3 Column block 1 - training page | Yes |
| Find items* | Use 'Select' to find the section where the column items content types live eg. to the column items 1 folder in this case | Yes |
| Display items* | Defaults to ticked | Yes |
The Find items field in this content type tells the content type where to find the links.
9. Another window will open, click ‘Select’ to locate your hidden sub-section to tie everything together, then click Add.
10. Click Add and Approve to save.
Adding a second set of 3 Column blocks on a page
If a second set of 3 Column blocks is required on a page then another sub-section is needed and each column within the block will need a separate 3 Column block content type.