Category item blocks

Applicable to: category/list pages | Skill level: intermediate

Goal: Create a new category item block for use on a category page.

Category items are created especially for use on category/list pages. Most often, they are used to link to external resources — files or pages that reside outside of Cascade. (But they can also be simple text blocks).

Typically, only the title of a category item block is linked, but you can choose to add two additional links using the Alternate Link fields (for a total of up to three links).

Unlike some other kinds of blocks (link lists, flex blocks and contact blocks), category item blocks live inside the folder containing the category/list page (called "index") on which you want your block to display. (View details of adding a category item block to a category page).

Steps for creating a new category item block

  1. Navigate to the _blocks folder in your Cascade asset tree. Click Add Content in the upper left of your screen. Click Blocks, then Category Item.

    select Add Contentselect blocksselect category item

  2. Assign a descriptive XHTML/Data Definition Block Name to the block, so that you'll know what it is just by looking at the name.

  3. Confirm that the Placement Folder is the folder containing the category/list page (called "index") on which you want your block to display.

  4. Complete the appropriate fields. 

    You should always try to provide a brief Summary, so that users have some idea of what they're getting when they click.

    To add your Title link, you have three choices: Internal Page, link to file, or external link. You may only choose one option. For files, select a file type to display a file type icon (e.g., pdf icon).

    create category item

  5. If you need additional links, complete the Alternate Link field(s). These are especially useful for materials available in multiple formats (e.g., a pdf and a Word doc).

    To add your Alternate link(s), you have three choices: Internal page, link to file, or external link. You may only choose one option per link. For files, select a file type to display a file type icon (e.g., pdf icon).

    add alternative links

  6. Save & Preview.

  7. Submit, then select Submit or Check Content & Submit to perform spelling and accessibility checks.