Introducing the new Web Express听
With the change in how the latest version of Drupal works, we鈥檝e had to make changes and improvements to Web Express. Many of these changes will make it even easier to create amazing websites.
This new version gives you more control and flexibility than ever before. Here's a sneak peek at what's new and some of the changes:
We've highlighted all the key changes in detail throughout this document, so you can start to become familiar with the changes and get the most out of the new version of Web Express.
Content Types
Building your website with content types is still the same. Web Express lets you create different types of content for your website, like pages, articles, or even profiles for people. These are called "content types."
The most commonly used content type is a "Basic Page," which is great for creating your website sections. Changes and updates to Basic Pages are outlined below.听
Other content types, like "Articles" and "People,"听 have slightly different functionalities in the new version, but still have the same intent and approach of the purpose of the content type. Changes and updates for Articles and People are below.听
No need to worry, managing your content is still easy! You'll find everything you need under the "" link, just like before.
Looking for more details? The has a full list of and how to use the content menu.
General Content Functionality Changes听
The following have completely changed, have been deprecated or are not ready yet in the new version:
Quick tip!听
To help make your site content accessible to the broadest audience possible, visit the
Basic Pages: Core to Building Great Sites
Basic Pages are the building blocks of your website. Use them to create all your main sections and content areas.
With the new version of express we鈥檝e redefined what basic means. While the core remains the same, there are some new features to make creating and styling your pages even easier:
Page title image
Adding a title image is now a breeze! You can simply add a background image section at the top of your Basic Page using the layout builder. Then, just drag and drop your page title onto that section.听
Tutorials related to page title:
Supercharged Editor Toolbar:
The editor toolbar lets you format your content quickly. Most tools are still the same, but here's what's new:
Tutorials related to the editor tool:
Drag-and-Drop Your Way to Great Layouts:听
The new layout builder lets you customize your Basic Pages with drag-and-drop ease! Just choose different block types and arrange them on your page to create the perfect layout.
Sections and Columns: Build sections within your page and choose how many columns you want in each section.
Drag and Drop Blocks: Add various blocks like text, grids, images, buttons, and forms to your sections using drag and drop.
Tutorials related to layout builder:
Understanding Blocks: Creating & Adding Content Blocks
Building your basic pages with blocks in Web Express just got easier than ever. With basic pages as the primary building blocks of your site, the new layout builder allows you to add all sorts of content blocks to your pages. No more messing with "block sections" or "block rows".
What are Blocks?
Think of blocks as pre-made building blocks for your basic pages. They come in all sorts of styles, like text boxes with buttons on top of images, or grids to organize your content. You can easily add them to your basic page and customize them with your own content.
There are two main types of blocks:
Which block should I use?
A good rule of thumb is:
Tons of Content Block Styles = Tons of Possibility听
Web Express comes loaded with over 20 different content blocks you can use.听
Think text, images, buttons, and more, all arranged in a variety of layouts. Want to showcase a stunning photo with a catchy message? There's a block for that! Need to organize information in a grid? We've got you covered!
Plus, you can layer these blocks on top of section backgrounds to make them pop. Whether you prefer a colorful backdrop or a beautiful campus image, your content blocks will look amazing.
Tutorials related to blocks:
Media Library: Images, Videos & Files听
A new feature of Web Express is the Media Library. The new Media library is a media management tool that enables you to find media in a central location and place on any page. It allows you to search, sort, and import a variety of media types with an easy-to-use interface.
The media types that are usually available to import are as follows:听
Files (pdfs, docs)
One of the biggest changes with Files (pdfs, docs), is they are no longer a content type but are now part of the media library. This means you will upload and create links to files within the media library. The following outlines some of the changes:
File URLs:
Changes in functionality:
Tutorials related to media library:
Site Appearance Settings
It is now easier to customize a site's appearance by modifying the individual elements of the theme versus selecting a specific full theme. The site theme is made up of the campus header color, the site header color and the menu style.
With the new appearance and layout settings, you can individually select your banner style, site name style, and menu style (11 styles!). Set your styles for secondary menus as text or buttons as well as page header styles.听
Tutorials on site appearance settings:
Roles & Permissions Have Changed听
Things have changed a bit in the new Web Express when it comes to user roles and permissions. We've streamlined the options to make it easier to manage your website team.
Here's a quick rundown of the four main roles:
Want to dive deeper into what each role can do? Check out these helpful resources:
Content Types With Adjustments
Changes to Article content type
Articles are used for content that is updated more frequently and cross-referenced and categorized (such as news items or announcements). Articles may also be pulled together into an Article Block or Article List Page. The article content type is changing with the latest version of Drupal:听听
Initial changes to articles:
What to fix in advance of migration:
Roadmap for Articles:
The base foundation of articles at the onset of the new version of web express is just that 鈥� the foundation that is setting the stage and elements for more advanced features and functionality.听
This format will appear ordinary at the beginning, but it ultimately will give us the building blocks to create advanced functionality, displays, distributions and ways to aggregate.听
To get there, we need to first create the proper structure to utilize modern technology to advance the feature.听
Tutorials related to articles content type:
Changes to person content type
The person page content type is used to create bio pages for people associated with the purpose of the site. Much of the same functionality will remain for the person content and only a few changes are below:听
What to fix in advance of migration:
Tutorials related to person content type:
Changes to events calendar block
The events calendar block will continue to be an integrated way to add events to your Web Express site from the campus events calendar.听 The only change with the events calendar block is how you create your event list and select your display.听听
Users will be using the events calendar widget builder within the events calendar system to create the type of event list they want to include. Once you build your event calendar list, you will use the Events Block to place it anywhere on your site.听
Tutorial on events calendar:
Changes for Webforms
Web Express has a robust form tool to help you create simple or complex forms. Typical form content is contact forms, requests for appointments, newsletter signups, questionnaires and surveys.听
New for Web Express is a specific pre-built Contact Us form. This form is specifically intended for visitors to send a brief note containing feedback or a question. Learn more about .