Adding a Content Block

In this section:

How to:

From the Add Block window, you can create content blocks.

The following are the types of content blocks you can create:

Note: Some web sites bring their page to the top of a frameset when launched and take over the browser session. When these sites are opened in a launch or output block, Dashboard content is lost. It is recommended that these types of web sites not be selected for a launch or output block.

When you add items to a content block, you can use the Content Search from the Add Block and Edit Block windows. For details, see How to Add Items to a Content Block Using Content Search.

Across the top of the Add Block window is a Content Search button, and block type option buttons to select either a Launch, List, Folder, Output, Tree, Watch List, or Favorites block. At the left side of the window is a tree view of available content. The right side of the window contains the Content List showing selected items with up and down arrows to the right, and Remove and Clear buttons at the bottom.

Below the Content List is a field for entering the Block Name, and a series of check boxes that are available to enable the following functionality:

The following image shows the Add Block window.

Add a block Window


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Procedure: How to Add a Content Block
  1. From the Content window, select the content page in which to add content. If you need to add content pages, see Creating Content Pages.
  2. Click Add Block.

    The Add Block window opens.

  3. Select the desired Block Type option.
  4. Expand the domain folders from the tree by clicking the arrow icon next to the folder icon. You can also add items to a content block using Content Search. See How to Add Items to a Content Block Using Content Search.

    Note:

    • If you are creating an Output block, adding domain items is optional because Output blocks do not require default output.
    • Only one report in EXL2K PIVOT format can be active at a time. Therefore, it is not recommended to place output of this format type into a content block. Subsequent attempts to execute a report in this format will fail, since the original report will still be active.

  5. Select the items in the folders to populate the Content List.

    If you are creating a List block, you can position the items using the arrows next to the Content List.

  6. Accept the default block name or change the name in the Block Name field.

    Note:

    • If you name your content block before you select content, the block name may be overwritten with the name of the Domain item you select. You can change the name after selecting content.
    • If you create an empty launch, list, or folder block and enter a block name, when you click Save, the name is overwritten with Empty Block. This occurs only with launch, list, and folder blocks. Output blocks retain the name you enter.

  7. Click Save when you have finished selecting the content for your block.

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Procedure: How to Add Items to a Content Block Using Content Search
  1. From the Add Block or Edit Block window, click Content Search.
  2. Enter the criteria for your search and then click Search.
  3. From the results on the right side of the window, click an item to add it to your content block. View your content block to verify the items you have added.

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Creating a Locked Content Block

How to:

Administrators can create a content block for a Public View that cannot be edited or deleted by a user after they create their personal view.

In a personal view, the Edit option is not available for locked content blocks. In addition, the option to delete or edit locked blocks from the Content window is not available. A Dashboard user cannot remove a page containing a locked block.

The locked block is designated with a lock icon in the View Builder, Personalize option page, and Manage Users area of Dashboard. Users receive an error message if they attempt to remove a content page that contains a locked block.

The Lock Block check box is also available in the Manage Users area of the View Builder.



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Procedure: How to Create a Locked Content Block
  1. From the Public Views or the Manage Users window, select the Public View you want to add content to and click Edit Content.
  2. From the Content window, select the content page in which to add content.
  3. Click Add Block. The Add Block window opens.
  4. Select the block type and contents.
  5. Click the Lock Block check box.
  6. Click Save.

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Adding Report Library Content to a Content Block

Dashboard administrators and authorized users can place Report Library content in a content block using the View Builder or Personalize option. You can add Report Library content to a launch, list, output, or watch list block. The latest available version of the report always appears in the content block.

A tree of Library reports is available for selection when creating content blocks. The tree consists of the top-level domain or category. Below the domain or category is the report. In the case of a bursted report, an intermediate level also appears.

The Report Library has two sets of reports. Dashboard can access both, the domain for Managed Reporting users and the category for non-Managed Reporting users.

Note:


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Removing a Content Block

How to:

From the Content window, you can remove a content block. Note that you can remove more than one content block at a time.



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Procedure: How to Remove a Content Block
  1. From the Content window, select the content page where the content block is located.
  2. Select the check box next to each of the block(s) you want to remove.
  3. Click Remove. An alert window appears to confirm the removal.
  4. Click OK.

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