A content element (e.g., a content section) can be dragged and dropped onto different pages in the page editor. In this case, the element is used multiple times. The content section can then be edited from all pages. Changes to this content section affect all pages directly.
This is a powerful feature that is provided in OpenCms “by design.”
In practice, however, it can happen that a reused content element is edited on one page and this change then “no longer fits” on another page. If an editor does not notice that the element is used multiple times, they may not be aware of this.
Various enhancements in version 24-06 now alert the editor when a content element is used multiple times:
- Content elements that are used multiple times are marked with an additional red dot in the page editor.
- If a multiple-use element is edited in the page editor, a warning dialog appears.
- A note is displayed in the form editor when a multiple-use content element is edited.
Notes:
Elements used in lists are not considered to be used multiple times.
When repeatedly editing elements used multiple times without leaving or reloading the page, the warning dialog will no longer be displayed after the first time.
The warning dialog can also be disabled completely. To do this, select the option “Element used multiple times > Do not display warning dialog” in the user settings.