Member Avatar for decl

I am using Dreamweaver cs4.

I had created a website and set up the pages individually. Then decided to create a template as the site is getting bigger and would be much easier to handle this way.

I opened one of the pages, did a "Save as template". Created Editible regions as needed. Saved the file. I just can't figure out how to link my new template to the child pages previously created.

Please help!

  • 2 Contributors
  • 1 Reply
  • 111 Views
  • 12 Hours Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by akhil9

Dani AI

Generated

For : the cleanest way to convert an already-built page into a template-based (child) page is to open that page in Dreamweaver and use the Templates command that applies a .dwt to an existing document. This attaches the template and wraps your page content in Dreamweaver's template markers so future updates flow from the .dwt. is correct that the Assets panel can create new pages from a template, but dragging from Assets generally makes a new page — it does not “attach” a preexisting page the same way the Apply Template command does.

You can verify a successful attachment by inspecting the page source; Dreamweaver inserts template comments and editable-region markers like this:

<!-- InstanceBegin template="/templates/main.dwt" codeOutsideHTMLIsLocked="false" -->
...
<!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="MainContent" -->
Your original content here
<!-- InstanceEndEditable -->
...
<!-- InstanceEnd -->

Troubleshooting tips: make a backup copy of each page before applying a template — the operation can lock content that falls outside editable regions. If Dreamweaver does not list your template, ensure the .dwt is saved inside the defined site (typically a Templates folder) so Dreamweaver can find it. Templates work with static and server-side pages, but be careful when pages contain server code (PHP/ASP) — test on your local/dev server after attaching.

After pages are attached, editing and saving the .dwt will let Dreamweaver update all dependent pages (it usually prompts to update, or you can trigger updates from the Templates menu or by right‑clicking the .dwt in the Files panel). If something goes wrong, restore from your backup and copy the page content into explicit editable regions in the template before reapplying.

Member Avatar for akhil9

I am using Dreamweaver cs4.

I had created a website and set up the pages individually. Then decided to create a template as the site is getting bigger and would be much easier to handle this way.

I opened one of the pages, did a "Save as template". Created Editible regions as needed. Saved the file. I just can't figure out how to link my new template to the child pages previously created.

Please help!

One thing u already said that u created the template. On the right side where your files will be there and there will be assets also. In the assets you can see 9 icons on the left and last but one is the template.

You can find your template there and you can drag the template to empty html file or an existing html file if the format is the same...

This is my first post in daniweb.. I hope that i helped u....

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.