Thread

I am hoping for some recommendations on how to make the current xhtml/css pages into EE weblogs, that could be updated by a client.

1)
http://www.lincolncorners.com/index.php/main/rates/

This table is built from all data that changes from time to time.  This is one section of the site that did not seem straightforward to me when trying to get it to work with field groups, etc.  How would you go about making this table work with EE’s structure, so the numbers could be easily changed as needed?

2)
http://www.lincolncorners.com/index.php/main/features/

I thought these headings and list items would be easy to setup with EE, but now I am confused as to whether I should use categories to make the headings with each list item being a post, or if there is an easier way? 

I am just flat-out confused on the best way to make these pages play nicely with EE and get away from my static mindset.

Your comments, advice, help are much appreciated!!

1) http://www.lincolncorners.com/index.php/main/rates/

This table is built from all data that changes from time to time.  This is one section of the site that did not seem straightforward to me when trying to get it to work with field groups, etc.  How would you go about making this table work with EE’s structure, so the numbers could be easily changed as needed?

Make a new field group (Admin -> Weblog Administration -> Custom Field Groups) called “Rates” that contains a field for each of those columns (Office Number, Square Feet, etc.).

Then, make a new weblog (Admin -> Weblog Administration -> Weblog Management) called “Rates”, set to use your Rates field group.

You would then create one entry for each row in that table, and in your template, iterate through each of those entries to display it:

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th scope="col">Office Number</th>
      <th scope="col">Square Feet</th>
      [...]
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    {exp:weblog:entries weblog="rates" order_by="office_number"}
      <tr>
        <td>{office_number}</td>
        <td>{square_feet}</td>
        [...]
      </tr>
    {/exp:weblog:entries}
  </tbody>
</table>

2) http://www.lincolncorners.com/index.php/main/features/

I thought these headings and list items would be easy to setup with EE, but now I am confused as to whether I should use categories to make the headings with each list item being a post, or if there is an easier way?

For a simple list like that, you might want to consider using Mark Huot’s Multi Text extension, setting one column for the URL, and the other for the URL title.

1)
http://www.lincolncorners.com/index.php/main/rates/

This table is built from all data that changes from time to time.  This is one section of the site that did not seem straightforward to me when trying to get it to work with field groups, etc.  How would you go about making this table work with EE’s structure, so the numbers could be easily changed as needed?

Mark’s multi text actually adds a custom field that’s a table, can have any number of rows/cols, and adds more as needed.

Thank you both.  I am working to implement the multi-text extension now.  Hopefully that does the trick.

Brandon - I used your method for the Rates table, which worked great.  Thanks!

I am having trouble trying to figure out how Mark’s multi text extension would work for this list:

http://www.lincolncorners.com/index.php/main/features/

All I need are sub-headings and list items.  Is this extension the best way?  Or can EE weblog handle this natively?

Thank you!

Multi text is better for tables really. A simple list could be just custom fields.
Or even just entered in the entry?

It does seem that it is best suited for tables.  So how would you structure it with weblogs?  Still having a tough time wrapping my head around where to insert weblog entries into lists.  Or should Design, Comfort, Convenience all be categories?  Putting the list items in a weblog entry would work fine, but I am trying to keep the html away from what the client will update.

Thanks.

Perhaps this wiki entry can help?

Thanks Lisa.  I don’t think that this page needs to be table-based but rather list based.  Just not sure how I would setup the weblog structure and entries, for easy updates and editing.

Kinda hard to stay away from html and too many for custom fields for each.
One could use three multi text, one col and ad formatting to template?
label them design convenience and comfort using special instructions above the field.

So you think the best bet is to set up on weblog for the page and fill the one entry field with the <ul> and <li>‘s?

I edited b4 you posted 😊
Add the formatting to template for the multi text, assuming one can have more than one multi text…

using one field would be much simpler by far, can the client edit that?

For anyone else reading this thread, the

order_by="office_number"

orderby="office_number"

.  Here it is in the EE Docs.

Cheers!