duplicate sections

[DannyBoy]

I have a group of duplicate products that are under a sub-section called 'Shower Pumps'. The page name for this sub-section is 'shower_pumps.html' , I want to put this group/sub-section under another parent section but obviously I want the sub-section name to stay as it is, basically I want to duplicate a sub-section?

The ideal goal is to take users to the same content from whatever path they take?

Suggestions?

Thanks!

[leehack]

There's a couple of ways of doing it, simplest it to create a dummy section link layout along with a new variable to contain page name. You then make the new layout use the variable as the page to link to and in effect add a dummy sub section and then link this through to the page where the products do sit, via the variable.

So a new section link layout, that uses a new variable that you create for page name, you'd add a section, fill in the variable with the page name to link to and then when someone clicked on it, instead of actinic controlling where it goes, it links off to where you tell it to instead (the master page). That's your cheapest, easiest and quickest method i suggest, there are better options if you wanted to spend some money, that should do what you want though.

[DannyBoy]

Ok! Thanks Lee thats fine, but is there a way I can surpress actinic from uploading the dummy section/page so in effect all I will do is leave the link to the master page in the parent section?

Cheers!

[leehack]

Not that I know of Danny, it will be an orphan page so nothing will link to it, just make sure you untick to include it in sitemap.

[DannyBoy]

Thanks Lee you pointed me in the right direction. I did almost exactly as you suggested:

Created a new variable under section called 'Alternate Page Link'

Copied the used 'CSS section link layout' renamed the new alternative 'CSS Duplicate section link layout'

Edited the new layout and changed the variable inside the <anchor> tag from the normal 'Section Url' to my new ''Alternate Page Link' variable.

Now if I need a whole sub-section/section duplicated elsewhere without all the products I create a new section where I want it name the page 'duplicate_of_original_page_name.html'

add the page name of the original page 'original_page_name.html' as the new 'Alternate Page Link' variable value.

Change the layout 'Section Link Layout' value to 'CSS Duplicate section link layout'

Untick the 'Include in Sitemap' option under the general tab.

Although not perfect cause I get a page I don't need it meets the needs.

Thanks!

[leehack]

Nice one Danny, sounds bob on.

[leehack]

I take it the sections are low enough in the structure to not get added into drop down or sidebar menus, something to think about if they do, you'd need to wrap the links in a blockif testing to see if your new variable was empty or not etc. They wouldn't get added then if dummy sections.

[DannyBoy]

Sure Lee I did think about this and I'll flag on the already added variable 'SectionHasVisibleProducts' as my dummy sections do not have any visible products and this seems to work well.