How to Create Templates in Dreamweaver CS3

Build a template for your website with Dreamweaver

Using templates when building a website in Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 allows you to build a skeleton that will serve as the basis for every page on your website. With a website template, you can make changes to every page that uses the template by editing the template, which saves you hours of tedious busy work. Building a template for your website is an easy and efficient way to save time while you are developing your website.

Instructions

1. Use Adobe Dreamweaver to build the skeleton of your site. While making your template, include elements that you want to see on every page. Do not include things that should only appear on specific pages, such as detailed text or specific images.

2. Select "Save As Template" from the "File" menu when you have finished building the template. Give your template a name and click "Save." Your template will automatically be saved in the "Templates" folder of your website's project folder.

3. Make parts of your template "Editable." Editable portions of the template can be changed from page to page, allowing you to use the template for different pages on your website. Editable regions will appear wherever the text cursor is pointing, so move the cursor to the area you want to make editable. Select the "Insert" menu, and choose "Template Objects" and "Editable Region" from the menu to insert an editable region into your template.

4. Save your template. Apply it to any new pages in your website by selecting the "Modify" menu and choosing "Template" and "Apply Template to Page" from the list of options. Your web page will take the appearance of the template and the editable regions can be modified to suit the page.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a template when you are making a large website where the basic structure of each page will be identical.

References

• Entheos: The Dreamweaver Template