Defining Global Header and Footer properties for Multiple Page Template

[Former Community Member]

Hi

Need to create global header and footer components which would have dialog for properties which can be updated by author and changes should be reflected across the all pages .

We used design dialog to implement above functionality but issue with using design dialog is that it created properties per template,and that spoils our purpose of giving author a functionality to update global values .

Is there a better way to achieve above functionality

[msulliva]

Rather than use global properties, I lean more towards inherited properties, which can be overridden for sections of the site, but could act as effectively a global value when edited on a higher part of the tree.

These are pretty easy to implement through page properties dialogs and then using something like pageProperties.getInherited() or WCMUtils getInheritedProperty() in the template files.

[aanchal-sikka · Accepted solution]

Using experience fragments for the Header and Footer in Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) can offer several benefits in terms of content management, consistency, and flexibility. Experience fragments are reusable content structures in AEM that enable you to create and manage content fragments independently, making them well-suited for elements like headers and footers. Here are some reasons why experience fragments are commonly used for Headers and Footers:

1. Reusability:

   • Experience fragments allow you to create modular and reusable components. By defining the header and footer as experience fragments, you can reuse them across multiple pages or even different websites. This promotes consistency in branding and layout.

2. Content Separation:

   • Headers and footers often contain static and dynamic content. Experience fragments help separate the content from the page structure, making it easier to manage and update. Content authors can focus on updating the header or footer content without having to modify each individual page.

3. Centralized Management:

   • With experience fragments, you can centrally manage the content of headers and footers. Changes made to the experience fragment are automatically reflected wherever it is used, reducing the risk of inconsistencies across different pages or sections.

4. Versioning and Rollback:

   • Experience fragments in AEM typically support versioning. This means you can track changes to the header and footer content over time and easily rollback to previous versions if needed. This is particularly useful for maintaining a history of changes and ensuring content integrity.

5. Multichannel Content Delivery:

   • Experience fragments are designed to be adaptable to different channels and devices. Headers and footers often need to be responsive and tailored for various screen sizes. Using experience fragments allows for consistent presentation across different devices without duplicating efforts.

6. Personalization:

   • AEM provides personalization features that allow you to customize content based on user behavior, demographics, or other criteria. By encapsulating the header and footer in experience fragments, you can apply personalization strategies specifically to those components.

7. Streamlined Workflows:

   • Content authors can work independently on the header and footer content without affecting the layout or content of individual pages. This streamlined workflow enhances collaboration and simplifies the content management process.

8. Efficient Updates:

   • When updates are required, you only need to make changes to the experience fragment, and those changes are automatically reflected across all pages where the fragment is used. This ensures efficiency and reduces the chance of errors associated with manual updates.

In summary, using experience fragments for headers and footers in AEM provides a structured and efficient approach to managing reusable content, fostering consistency, and simplifying content maintenance across a website or digital experience.