Block: A small chunk of content (not a page or a node). Blocks can be assigned to regions within Drupal. Some blocks are created from scratch (custom blocks). Others are created by a Menu (menu block) or a View (block display from a View). Users with some roles can edit custom blocks.
When creating or editing a Block, there are two configuration items that must be set to enable the block:
- Which region the block will appear in (e.g., Header, Footer, Sidebar)
- Which pages the block will appear on ("Show block on specific pages")
For "Show block on specific pages" you choose between:
- All pages except those listed (used for blocks like the top menu bar that appear on all or nearly all pages)
- Only the listed pages (for blocks that only should appear on a small set of pages or paths)
For custom blocks, created from scratch, you would use Structure -> Blocks -> Add block to create a new block. (Not all roles have permission to do this.) You will get a text edit box similiar to the "Body" field on a node where you can enter and style text, links, images, etc. BioCom has created specific css classes for certain types of blocks, so you may need to check with BioCom about the styling of the new block.
For dynamic block displays from Views, or Menu Blocks, your best bet is to contact BioCom for assistance.
How do you know where a block comes from? If you have access to the "contextual links" you will see a small gear symbol when you hover over the block. If you click on that gear, you will see:
- Custom blocks
- Configure block
- Blocks from Views
- Edit view
- Configure block
- Menu blocks
- List links
- Edit menu
- Configure block
"Configure block" is where you set the region, Show block on specific pages, and css classes. This option is available for all blocks regardless of the source.
All blocks are listed on the Blocks page (Structure -> Blocks). Custom blocks will show a "delete" link on the far right.
To change the content of Menu blocks and blocks from Views you work with the Views or Menu systems.
To disable a block without deleting it, edit the block and under "Region Settings," for the default theme, set the Region to "- None -"
You can also use "Configure Block" to restrict access to the block -- for example, the menu block for this Content Management Guide menu is restricted to logged-in users with a content editor role. Anonymous users will not see this menu.