Create page templates

Generally, you operate with the page templates that are based on the default layout file. You modify the default template or create new templates, based on it.

MVC and Hybrid

When creating a new project, by default, the selected framework is MVC. You can also work in hybrid mode. For both modes, you do not have to start creating a new template from scratch. You can use the default templates that contain a single placeholder and then modify it further.

Once you select a template and its framework, if you require to base the template on another template in a later point in time, you can select just from the list with templates from the same framework, thus avoiding any shortcomings from switching framework.

.NET Core

You create and manage .NET Core templates in the Templates grid, like all of the other Sitefinity CMS templates, such as MVC and Hybrid.

.NET Core templates are edited with the New page editor of the .NET Core Renderer. To be able to edit the content of a .NET Core template, you must have setup Sitefinity .NET Core Renderer.

Web Forms

If required by your scenario, you still have the option to work with Web Forms templates by configuring which frameworks page templates use. To do this, navigate to Administration » Settings » Advanced » Pages and set the Page templates framework to All.

To create a template via the UI, perform the following:

1. In the main menu of your website backend, click Design » Page Templates.
2. Click Create a template.
3. Enter a name for your template.
4. In Name used in code, enter the name that will be used to refer to the template in the code.
5. In Template thumbnail, select the thumbnail that will represent the template in the backend UI.
   If you want to use a custom thumbnail, click (Change) and perform one of the following:
   
   • Select a thumbnail from the list and click Use selected.
   • Click  (Upload), choose an image from your computer, and click Use this image.
6. Click Continue.
   A list of templates group according to the framework that they are using appears.
7. Select the template that you want the new template to be based on.
   You can choose between MVC, Hybrid, and .NET Core templates.
   If you want to start from scratch, select the respective default template.

   NOTE: The new template will inherit the framework of the template that it is based on.
   

When creating a page template based on another template, keep in mind the following:

• Changes of a template are applied to its child template.
• You cannot edit the parent template while editing the child template.
• If you delete a template, all of its child templates and all pages that uses this template will also be deleted.

RECOMMENDATION: When you create a nested page template, based on a layout file, we recommend selecting the MVC only option, as there may be potential issues in Web Forms or hybrid modes. For more information about layout base templates, see Create MVC page templates based on layout files.