How do I add more than one link to the left bar info box

[ollie_doug]

Hello

I am trying to add another link to the left bar info box (there is one in there already). I am struggling as there does not seem to be enough room to insert more HTML. I am trying to avoid having a new box for each link. Does anyone know if there is a solution to this?

Thanks in advance

Chris

[wjcampbe]

More info please Chris.

What theme are you talking about? Where are you trying to add the content? Can you give an online URL we could see the problem on?

[ollie_doug]

I'm using the "smart" specific design. My URL is www.pawprintscrafts.co.uk The box in question is on the left at the bottom with the logo for Top 50 scrappers. Im trying to insert the HTML into the properties "value" section in design options

[wjcampbe]

Chris - do a search on here for NETQUOTEVAR:INCLUDE. I think it was Norman who posted an excellent tutorial on using that to expand the content of side bars in the Smart theme just about a week ago.

[NormanRouxel]

Ahah. I thought I heard my name!

In that table cell you have

<td valign="top"><br><a href="http://www.top50scrappers.co.uk/"><img src="http://www.top50scrappers.co.uk/button.php?u=Lisa_Bray" alt="Top 50 Scrappers" border="0" /></a><br><br></td>

There's nothing to stop you adding another link or two just after that final <br><br>. The cell will expand downwards to fit them in.

The thread Bill refers to above allows you to keep these links in a separate file So you don't have to edit the Act_Primary when you need to amend things. Here's how.

Create a Custom Property (Advanced / Custom Properties) called MYLINKS. Create a text file in Site1 called mylinks.txt. In that text file put all the HTML for your links. E.g.

<a href="http://www.top50scrappers.co.uk/">
  <img src="http://www.top50scrappers.co.uk/button.php?u=Lisa_Bray" alt="Top 50 Scrappers" border="0" />
</a>
<br>
<br>
  <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk">News</a>
<br>
<br>
etc

Then replace that table cell code (in Act_Primary.html) with

<td valign="top">CUSTOMVAR:MYLINKS<td>

And finally in Design / Options / Site Defaults / Properties, select MYLINKS and set the Value to mylinks.txt and check File Name and Use File Content. (If using Business uncheck Searchable and check Use as CUSTOMVAR)

Now all you need to do to maintain these links is to edit mylinks.txt to keep it up-to-date.

[ollie_doug]

Call me thick (i'm new to this website building lark) but how do I find and change the cell code (in act_primary)

[ollie_doug]

It's ok ive found that but now nothing is showing in the box, what could i have done wrong?

[wjcampbe]

If you remembered this bit,

And finally in Design / Options / Site Defaults / Properties, select MYLINKS and set the Value to mylinks.txt and check File Name and Use File Content. (If using Business uncheck Searchable and check Use as CUSTOMVAR)

then you might need to do a 'Preview in Browser' to see the results.

[ollie_doug]

I've tried preview catalog (is that what you mean by 'preview in browser'?)
I havn't updated the site yet to see if that makes a differance online.

[wjcampbe]

I would have expected it to show up in the 'Preview Catalog' - that is what I meant by 'preview in browser'.

Can you upload to your website and post the URL - we can have a look and see if there is something obviously wrong.

[ollie_doug]

ok i've updated the site. Still no links

[wjcampbe]

The relevant section of Act_Primary.html should now read like this

      <table width="150" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
        <tr> 
          <td height="22" bgcolor="NETQUOTEVAR:PALCOLOR2CSS" class="actsmallheading" background="tab_pal2.gif"><b>&nbsp;&nbsp;CUSTOMVAR:LEFTBARTITLE</b></td>
        </tr>
        <tr valign="top"> 
          <td class="thinred2">
             <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" class="actxxsmall">
               <tr> 
                <td valign="top"><br>CUSTOMVAR:MYLINKS<br><br></td>
               </tr>
             </table>
          </td>
        </tr>
      </table>

can you confirm this?

[ollie_doug]

Yes thats correct.