Using Layout Selectors

Layout Selectors are used to insert layouts within other layouts. The value of the layout selector (i.e. the layout that is used) can either be supplied from your store content (e.g. by selecting a product layout) or it can be 'fixed' within the design, and never vary.

Inserting a Layout Selector into a Layout

To insert a layout selector you can either use the 'Insert Layout' button  on the layout code toolbar, or right-click and select 'Insert Layout'.

You will then be presented with a list of layout selectors that are valid within the current layout. You can simply select one from the list, and click 'Insert'.

If you are having trouble finding the selector you want, then enter a search term in the 'List names containing' field. You can also choose to look within certain classes of selector by selecting one from the drop down.

If you know you want a specific layout inserted into the design, then once you have clicked on a layout selector you can select the 'Fixed Layout' box and select a layout from the list.

When you are selecting a layout selector to insert, you can also press 'Edit Selector' to edit the current selector (discussed in Editing Layout Selectors) or you can also click 'New Selector' to add a new layout selector into Actinic.

Editing the Main Properties of a Layout Selector

You can edit the main properties of a layout selector from the Design tab. Simple right-click on a layout selector and select 'Edit Selector'. You can also click the 'Edit Layout Selector' button when inserting a new layout selector into the design. Creating/editing layout selectors is discussed in Editing Layout Selectors.

Editing The Appearance of a Layout Selector

When you right-click on a variable and select 'Edit Appearance', you are shown a selection of settings that control the appearance of that variable in the design.

The 'Fixed Layout' setting is where you can fix the value of this layout selector as being a specific layout. This means that the value of this variable can no longer be changed outside of the layout code.

Underneath that is a group of settings ('Bold', 'Underline' etc.) which are controlled by the 'Preview Toolbar' - see Editing Layouts - but you can also manually set the text formatting here.

The 'Selectable' setting controls whether or not the layout that this selector inserts can be selected within the preview. It is a good idea to leave this set to 'true'.

The bottom row is a setting called 'Condition'. This is either set to 'True' (the layout always appears), 'False' (the layout never appears) or you can control when the layout appears with a condition, by selecting 'Edit Expression' or 'Browse Condition'.

Conditions are discussed in more depth in Inserting Conditions.