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Templates in Dreamweaver

What are Templates and why are they important?

A template is a built out structure of a web site that is used to carry out a certain layout used by other files within your site. The purpose of the template is to keep your web site looking and functioning consistently throughout. It also speeds up the updating process of your site files. For instance, a template can include your main site navigation, the layout of the design, and any images or content you wish to include on every page of your site. Then if you decided to add another link to your main navigation or change a graphic on every page, all you have to do is update the template and it will updated all of the files that use that template.

How to create a Template:

Step 1: Open Dreamweaver and select File -> New. A window with various options will appear. Choose Template page from the Category list, then select the proper template you wish to use. If your created a basic HTML web site then choose HTML template and choose create.

Template Options Window:

Step 2: Once the file opens save your template. Choose File -> Save as Template. If an error pops up asking you to created or set your Editable Regions just ignore that for now and hit OK.

Template: Editable Region Pop Up

Step 3: Name you template and select Save. The file will be automatically saved in a folder called Templates. Dreamweaver will create that folder for you.

Step 4: Finally you can now insert your Editable Region, this is the location that can be changed on any page that is created based of the template. To do this select the location where you will be adding content and or images to any individual page that is created from the template. Then select from the menu Insert -> Template Objects -> Editable Region. Label the editable region and continue to build out your template.

Now that you know how to create a template go to Using Templates to find out more information.