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How to use Global Content Blocks in CMS Made Simple

This guide shows you how to make one piece of content and show it on many pages. When you change it once, every page updates.

CMS and Apps2 min read16 steps

What is a Global Content Block?

CMS Made Simple is software for building websites. A Global Content Block (GCB) is a saved piece of text or code with a name. You put it on any page or template by using that name. Think of a sticker you print once and stick on many walls. If you change the sticker, all walls change.

It is perfect for things that repeat, like a phone number in the footer, a short notice, or an address.

In newer versions of CMS Made Simple (2.x), these are still called Global Content Blocks. The menu may be in a slightly different place.

Create a block

  1. Log in to your admin area. The address is your site plus /admin.
  2. Click Content in the top menu.
  3. Click Global Content Blocks.
  4. Click Add Global Content Block.
  5. Type a Name. Use small letters and no spaces, such as footer_info. You will use this name later.
  6. Type your text in the content box. You can use the editor to bold text or add links.
  7. Click Submit.

Show the block on a page or template

You call the block with a small piece of code called a tag. Tags use curly brackets.

  1. Open the page or template where the block should appear. For a page, go to Content, then Content Manager. For a template, go to Layout, then Design Manager or Templates.
  2. Place the cursor where you want the block to show.
  3. Type the tag:
{global_content name='footer_info'}

This tag shows the block named footer_info. Use the exact name you gave it.

  1. Click Submit or Apply.
  2. Open your website and reload the page to see the result.

In a template, the block shows on every page that uses that template. That is the best place for a footer.

Change a block

  1. Go to Content, then Global Content Blocks.
  2. Click the block name.
  3. Edit the text.
  4. Click Submit.

All pages that use it now show the new text.

Tip: If the old text still shows, clear the cache under Site Admin. Do not delete a block that pages still use. The pages will show an empty space.

Quick recap

  • A Global Content Block is reusable content with a name.
  • Create it under Content, Global Content Blocks.
  • Show it with {global_content name='yourname'}.
  • Edit the block once to update every page.
  • Clear the cache if you do not see changes.