DW type Library item in MS Expression Web?

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DW type Library item in MS Expression Web?

Vishal

12:16 pm on Jul 19, 2007 (gmt 0)

Now that Expression Web don't support "Page Include" function, I was wondering if there is an alternative to using this feature. (There is a hack available, but I was hoping MS would have something in-build.

Dreamweaver has 'Library' feature available, which in a way works like "Page Include" function. I was wondering if anyone knew whether or not Expression Web has any option similar to Library. (I tried to look for it, but without any success, & would love to learn where am I making a mistake).

Thanks for the help.

Corey Bryant

3:51 pm on Jul 19, 2007 (gmt 0)

Expression Web has the Dynamic Web Template (DWT) that works really well

-Corey

Vishal

6:15 pm on Jul 20, 2007 (gmt 0)

I know Expression Web supports dwt, same as Dreamweaver. However think of it this way.

1) One website with 10 different sections/categories.
2) Each section with 10 pages.
3) Same header for each section.
4) 'Different' top menu for each section.
...... Same thing with footer, left & right side.

Now if you are only using dynamic web template, you will have to create ‘many’ such templates, however combination of ‘dynamic web template’ & ‘Library’ or ‘Page Include’ function could cut your work significantly.

Dreamweaver's Library & Frontpage's 'Page Include' does not lock the page or restrict you to edit only within certain section. Instead you can have unlimited 'Page Include' calls within the page (or within ‘Page Include’ page) & it still works - however this is not possible with dynamic web template. This is the reason Dreamweaver has 'Library' function along with their 'Dynamic Web Template' function. Hence, I was wondering if there is any hack/plug-in for such feature for Expression Web.

[edited by: Vishal at 6:30 pm (utc) on July 20, 2007]

4specs

2:37 pm on Jul 23, 2007 (gmt 0)

There is at least one add-in for page include functionality

try the term 'Expression Web Designer Help' in search engines

[edited by: caine at 9:34 am (utc) on July 24, 2007]
[edit reason] no url's. against TOS. [/edit]

Vishal

4:34 am on Jul 27, 2007 (gmt 0)

Here is a quick hack that works for me & hopefully will be useful to others.

Under Tools > Page Editor Options there is an Option for Code Snippets. Create a new snippets

Keyword = 1Include
Description = Page Include Function
Text/Code =

(I use Page Include Function a lot, hence I named it 01Include so it will show up top in the list)

Now anywhere in the page you want to add this function you can either paste  or just hit Ctrl+Enter in the Code View. This will open up Code Snippet function and select 1Include from the list & now from the Design mode, edit the file path like you would normally do while using Frontpage 2003.

It might sound boring, however till Expression Web adds this feature (or DW's library type function) back, this might be the quickest way to workaround this issue.

Marshall

6:01 am on Jul 27, 2007 (gmt 0)

If you change your page extensions to either .asp or .shtml, then you can use use either (or both)

or

in lieu of webbot includes. Whereas .asp, .shtml are SSI, webbot includes are client side if I am not mistaken. Inlcude files can be virrtually any extension: htm, html, asp, txt, inc, etc. Just remember, unlike the webbot include where you specify the tag, the SSI includes include the whole page, so depending on its use, you may not need the usual tags in the include page such as <html>, <header> and <body> or the just repeat in the page in which the include file is placed.

Marshall

Vishal

12:24 pm on Jul 27, 2007 (gmt 0)

One of the main benefit of using Expression Web Page Include (or DW Library) feature is, you can see the content on the page in real time (both in design & preview). To be able to see how the page will look with include functions really makes a huge difference & saves tons of time. In design mode simply press F12 and you will how the final page will look in your browser. However the main problem with using SSI, php or other include tag is, you can't see the page in real time.

Marshall

12:34 pm on Jul 27, 2007 (gmt 0)

If you use .asp, you can install asp extensions on your computer if you're running certain Windows OS -
[w3schools.com...] In fact, it comes on your OS installation disk.

Marshall