How to Create Editable Templates in AEM
Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) is a powerful content management system used to build digital experiences across websites, mobile apps, and forms. One of AEM’s standout features is the Editable Template, which empowers authors to design flexible, component-based pages without relying heavily on developers. Editable templates bring more control to marketers while maintaining the consistency and structure defined by developers.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to create editable templates in AEM, and why they are important for scalable content management.
What are Editable Templates in AEM?
Editable Templates are part of AEM’s Template Editor. Introduced in AEM 6.2 and enhanced in later versions, they allow users to design page templates through a UI-based interface. Unlike static templates that require developer involvement for changes, editable templates can be modified and maintained through AEM’s authoring interface, providing more agility and autonomy.
Benefits of Editable Templates
Empower content authors with drag-and-drop components.
Decouple layout from development, reducing developer dependency.
Control layout policies and structure directly from the UI.
Reuse and adapt templates across multiple pages and components.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Editable Templates
Step 1: Navigate to the Template Console
Go to the AEM instance: http://localhost:4502
Log in with admin credentials.
Navigate to Tools > General > Templates.
Select the site or folder where you want to create the template.
Step 2: Create a New Template Type
Before creating a template, ensure you have a template type that defines the base structure and components allowed.
Go to Tools > Configuration Browser.
Select or create a configuration folder.
Under the configuration folder, set up a new Template Type.
Define the allowed components and structure.
Step 3: Create the Editable Template
In the Template Console, click Create > Page Template.
Choose the appropriate template type.
Enter the title and description.
Click Create and then Open.
Step 4: Configure the Structure and Policies
Once inside the Template Editor:
Define the Structure layer (fixed layout, header, footer, etc.).
Drag components (like title, image, text) from the component browser into the template.
Click on each component to set policies, such as allowed styles, default values, or width options.
Switch to the Initial Content layer to add pre-filled content if needed.
Step 5: Enable the Template
After designing your template:
Return to the Template Console.
Select your template and click Enable from the top bar.
Once enabled, it can be used by content authors to create new pages.
Best Practices for Editable Templates
Use structure wisely to lock down global elements (like navbars and footers).
Define policies to maintain brand consistency across components.
Limit component use to avoid clutter and confusion for authors.
Regularly audit templates to ensure they remain clean and efficient.
Conclusion
Editable templates in AEM revolutionize how marketers and developers collaborate. By empowering authors with design flexibility while preserving structure and branding, editable templates streamline content creation and speed up time-to-market. Whether you're working on a large enterprise site or a small marketing campaign, understanding how to create and manage editable templates is crucial for making the most of Adobe Experience Manager’s capabilities.
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