Setup a fragment layout using the Admin UI

The following instructions are the second part of defining fragments. Check out the first part of this tutorial, which will take you step-by-step to defining a new fragment.

The following documentation is based on Dan Biondi's (Sacramento State) contribution on the topic. Thanks.

Step 1: Log into uPortal as an administrator

Log into uPortal with an account that contains administrator permissions where you have access to the Fragment Administration portlet.

Step 2: Select a fragment from 'Fragment Administration'

If you followed the first section of the tutorial (define a fragment using dlm.xml), after we created a new fragment (Library) and restarted uPortal you now see the new fragment under the drop-down menu. 

  • Select one of the fragments from the list to customize the layout. (See image below)



From the Customize My Portal portlet, click Add tab.  (See image above to view the Customize My Portlet portlet)

 Step 3. Add a tab

  • Click Add tab located on the right-side of the navigational menu

Step 4. Customize the Page Layout

  • Click Customize from the navigational bar
  • Click on Layouts where you can then specify the column layout for the new tab 

Step 5. Add Stuff 

  • Browse/Search for content by clicking on Add Stuff (see image below)
  • When you hover over an option a blue Add button will appear. Click on the blue Add button to add the content to your layout
  • When you are finished click on the I'm Done button at the bottom of the Customize menu

 

Step 6: Manage Permissions

As an administrator you can customize your content by locking down portlets set in your tab layout. You can restrict users from removing content or move the layout of content on the page.

  • Click on the Edit Page Permissions or Edit Column Permissions button(s) to manage the permissions to the tab or column (see example of the Edit Column Permissions below)
  • Edit Column Permissions: manage permissions by allowing users to Move this column, Edit Column Properties, Add portlets to this column, Delete this column.
  • Edit Page Permissions: manage permissions by allowing users to Move this tab, Edit page properties, Add columns, Remove this tab
I added a new fragment but I don't have the orange fragment administrator tool bar and therefore I don't have a "Edit Page Permissions" link:
See instructions to add the fragment adminintration tool bar

 

The page is rendered AS THE END USER WOULD SEE IT. If you have specified restrictions, such as removing the checkbox for moving or deleting a column, those restrictions are applied even to you as the Layout Owner. This allows you to experience the page as the end user experiences it so you can easily verify the end user's experience. If you want to make changes but have specified restrictions on a page, column, or portlet that prevents you from making the changes:

  • remove the restriction (enable the appropriate checkbox)
  • make the changes desired (in some cases you may need to refresh the page after enabling the permission to have it visually take effect)
  • re-enable the restriction (clear the appropriate checkbox)

Step 7: Sign out

Sign out by clicking on the Exit link on the top-right after you have completed setting up the layout of your fragment.

A tomcat restart is necessary for changes to the Guest fragment.

Step 8: Export layout changes to source files

When changing layouts, especially in production, we strongly recommend that you export the layout changes (see Importing and Exporting data) and check the updated *.layout-fragment.xml files into your source control system.  This allows you to recreate the layout in other environments, or to modify the *.layout-fragment.xml files by hand.  Exporting the modified layout files is essential to insuring you have the correct ID values in your source XML files for hand modifications (see Setup a fragment layout by modifying fragment-layout XML files).

 

Having problems with these instructions?

Please send us feedback at uportal-user@lists.ja-sig.org