Drupal's Layout Builder is a powerful tool for creating custom layouts without writing custom code. It allows users to control the layout and structure of pages using a simple drag-and-drop interface. The Layout Builder has become one of the most popular features in Drupal, offering flexibility for developers and site administrators alike. In this article, we will explore how to extend and customize the Layout Builder in Drupal to meet your site's specific needs.
The Layout Builder is an out-of-the-box feature in Drupal that enables users to build custom page layouts. It provides an intuitive interface to modify and control the design of the site, especially for content types like articles, pages, and more. The key aspect of the Layout Builder is its flexibility—it can be used to create complex layouts without the need for custom theming or coding.
Some of the main features of the Layout Builder include:
Before diving into customization and extensions, let's take a look at the key benefits of using Drupal's Layout Builder:
Drupal’s Layout Builder is extensible, allowing developers to add custom functionality. Below are some ways to extend the Layout Builder:
One of the most common ways to extend Layout Builder is by creating custom block types. These custom blocks can be added to the layout just like the core block types.
// Create a custom block plugin
namespace Drupal\my_module\Plugin\Block;
use Drupal\Core\Block\BlockBase;
/**
* Provides a 'Custom Block' block.
*
* @Block(
* id = "custom_block",
* admin_label = @Translation("Custom Block"),
* category = @Translation("Custom")
* )
*/
class CustomBlock extends BlockBase {
/**
* {@inheritdoc}
*/
public function build() {
return [
'#markup' => $this->t('This is a custom block.'),
];
}
}
The above code creates a basic custom block that you can add to Layout Builder. After the block is created, you can add it to any layout section and configure it through the Layout Builder interface.
Custom layout templates allow you to define reusable grid-based structures that can be applied to multiple pages or content types. Layout templates consist of a combination of rows and columns, which can be filled with blocks, fields, and other elements.
// Define a custom layout template
namespace Drupal\my_module\Plugin\Layout;
use Drupal\Core\Layout\LayoutBase;
/**
* Defines the custom layout.
*
* @Layout(
* id = "custom_layout",
* label = @Translation("Custom Layout"),
* category = @Translation("Custom")
* )
*/
class CustomLayout extends LayoutBase {
/**
* {@inheritdoc}
*/
public function build(array $regions) {
// Define your custom layout structure here
return [
'#theme' => 'layout_custom',
'#regions' => $regions,
];
}
}
This code defines a custom layout that can be used within the Layout Builder interface. You can include this layout as an option when creating custom pages or content types.
Drupal also allows you to restrict which blocks or fields can be placed within specific sections. This can help enforce consistent page designs across the site.
// Restrict block placements in specific regions
namespace Drupal\my_module\EventSubscriber;
use Drupal\Core\Block\BlockInterface;
use Drupal\Core\Layout\LayoutEvents;
use Symfony\Component\EventDispatcher\EventSubscriberInterface;
/**
* Listens for Layout Builder events and restricts block placement.
*/
class LayoutBuilderBlockRestriction implements EventSubscriberInterface {
/**
* {@inheritdoc}
*/
public static function getSubscribedEvents() {
$events[LayoutEvents::LAYOUT_BLOCKS][] = 'onLayoutBuilderBlocks';
return $events;
}
/**
* Restrict the blocks added to Layout Builder.
*/
public function onLayoutBuilderBlocks(LayoutBuilderEvents $event) {
// Example: Restrict 'Text Block' to only appear in the 'Header' region.
if ($event->getRegion() == 'header' && $event->getBlock() instanceof BlockInterface) {
$event->setAllowBlock(false);
}
}
}
This code restricts the placement of certain blocks within specific layout regions, providing more control over the design and layout of pages.
Customizing the Layout Builder UI itself can help you create a better user experience for content editors. Some common customizations include:
You can add custom field types to the Layout Builder to provide additional functionality to your site. For example, you might want to include a custom image gallery or custom forms.
// Define a custom field type plugin
namespace Drupal\my_module\Plugin\Field\FieldType;
use Drupal\Core\Field\FieldStorageDefinitionInterface;
use Drupal\Core\Field\FieldTypePluginBase;
/**
* Defines the 'Custom Gallery' field type.
*
* @FieldType(
* id = "custom_gallery",
* label = @Translation("Custom Gallery"),
* description = @Translation("A custom image gallery field."),
* category = @Translation("Custom"),
* default_widget = "custom_gallery_widget",
* default_formatter = "custom_gallery_formatter"
* )
*/
class CustomGalleryFieldType extends FieldTypePluginBase {
/**
* {@inheritdoc}
*/
public static function defaultStorageSettings() {
return [
'max_items' => 10,
];
}
/**
* {@inheritdoc}
*/
public function isEmpty($value) {
return empty($value);
}
}
This code defines a custom field type for image galleries, which can be used in Layout Builder just like any other field.
To modify the Layout Builder interface, you can leverage Drupal’s APIs to adjust how sections, blocks, and fields are displayed. For instance, you can add custom buttons, actions, or settings for content editors.
// Custom button in the Layout Builder UI
namespace Drupal\my_module\Controller;
use Drupal\Core\Controller\ControllerBase;
class LayoutBuilderController extends ControllerBase {
/**
* Custom button callback.
*/
public function customButtonCallback() {
return [
'#markup' => 'Custom Button Action Executed',
];
}
}
This code snippet provides an example of how to add a custom button action to the Layout Builder UI.
Extending and customizing the Drupal Layout Builder opens up a wide range of possibilities for building sophisticated, custom layouts without heavy reliance on custom themes or code. By using the tips and examples outlined in this article, you can enhance the Layout Builder's functionality and create more dynamic, flexible layouts that suit your site’s needs. Whether you are creating custom block types, layouts, or modifying the UI, Drupal's Layout Builder offers extensive possibilities for customization and extension.
Published By: Kartik Sharma
Updated at: 2024-11-09 10:14:27
