Conditionally Displaying Template Objects

Some time ago, I wrote how to make a static home page, where the key element was an HTML gadget, tweaked to display only with the home page of the blog.

That's a useful tweak - and it's a tweak that can be used in various other conditional displays also.

If you know a little template XML code, you can construct alternate conditional statements, and have template objects display in any of several other specific conditions.

You'll probably recognise the first conditional, from the above example, which shows how to display a Welcome post on the home page.

<b:if cond='data:blog.url != data:blog.homepageUrl'>
<style>
#Text1 {display: none !important;}
</style>
</b:if>

As a second example, I'll offer my Labels list displayed on a static page. For a third example, I'll offer my expanded Followers page.

Any of the snippets shown below can be substituted for the conditional snippet, above - which is the one used in the first example - to get the desired result. The seventh snippet below, for instance, was used for the Labels list.

Note when you add conditional code to the template, you are adding an additional filter. Your added code may be subject to other conditionals, already in place.

Be observant, and note where the specific objects, that you are modifying, show up, before you add any modifications. Your added conditional won't make an object show up, where it did not before - it will only make it not show up, where it did before.

Identify the gadget to be displayed conditionally - and change the gadget identifier, as needed.

Having written the conditional code section as desired, use the Template Designer "Add CSS" wizard, and add the code. Remember to add blank lines above and below the code section being added.

1. Homepage:

   <b:if cond='data:blog.url == data:blog.homepageUrl'>
   

   or (with the blog published to "blogspot.com")
   

   <b:if cond='data:blog.canonicalUrl == data:blog.homepageUrl'>
   

2. All Archive Pages:

   <b:if cond='data:blog.pageType == "archive"'>
   

3. All Main Pages (Archive, Label, "Home" page and all "Newer / Older Posts"):

   <b:if cond='data:blog.pageType == "index"'>
   

4. All Post Pages:

   <b:if cond='data:blog.pageType == "item"'>
   

5. All Static Pages:

   <b:if cond='data:blog.pageType == "static_page"'>
   

6. All Individual Posts:

   <b:if cond='data:blog.pageType == "item"'>
   

7. Any Specified Page (Static Page, or Post URL - your choice):

   <b:if cond='data:blog.url == &quot;{URL}&quot;'>
   

   or (with the blog published to "blogspot.com")
   

   <b:if cond='data:blog.canonicalUrl == &quot;{URL}&quot;'>
   

8. Any Other Than The Specified Page (Static Page, or Post URL - your choice):

   <b:if cond='data:blog.url != &quot;{URL}&quot;'>
   

   or (with the blog published to "blogspot.com")
   

   <b:if cond='data:blog.canonicalUrl != &quot;{URL}&quot;'>
   

9. Any Other Than The Homepage:
   

   <b:if cond='data:blog.url != data:blog.homepageUrl'>
   

   or (with the blog published to "blogspot.com")
   

   <b:if cond='data:blog.canonicalUrl != data:blog.homepageUrl'>
   

Develop, and identify, {URL} with precision.

Note that "{URL}" refers to the URL of an actual page or post, such as

http://blogging.nitecruzr.net/2010/10/conditionally-displaying-template.html

The value of "{URL}" must be provided with excruciating precision. It's best to display the page / post in question, then copy the URL from the address window, and paste it into your new conditional.

If {URL} includes "blogspot", be sure to use a canonical URL comparison!

When {URL} includes "blogspot", compare against a canonical URL!

Note in cases #1, #7, #8, and #9 - where {URL} is involved (not "data:blog.pageType"), you need to compare using the canonical URL. You do not use the country specific URL - even if you are seeing a country specific URL, for a blog published to BlogSpot.

If your blog is displayed as "myblog.blogspot.co.uk" (if you are, for instance, in the UK), you need to use "myblog.blogspot.com".

If a custom domain is involved, use the actual published URL.

If you are specifying a custom domain, do not canonise the URL, specify the actual published URL (for instance "www.mydomain.co.uk").

Syntax is crucial Be very careful, when entering punctuation.

Note that the above instructions show the format of the opening "<b:if ... >". Each "<b:if ... >" must be properly paired with a carefully located closing "</b:if >".

If you are unfamiliar with the concept of conditionals, and proper pairing of the opening and closing tags, please review my example, which shows how to display a Welcome post on the home page.

Be careful when entering the above statements. Single quotes ('), literal quotes (&quot;), and double quotes ("), are interchangeable in pairs - only in specific cases. Use them, in the appropriate circumstances - and correct sequence - religiously.

' ... &quot; ... &quot;'

' ... " ... "'

or

(single quote) ... (literal quote) ... (literal quote) (single quote)

(single quote) ... (double quote) ... (double quote) (single quote)

Open, then close, in reversed order.

Also, note the spaces, surrounding the conditional operator ("equal", or "not equal"), in each statement. The spaces are not decorative, they are functional.

 == 

 != 

Always include the spaces.

Try one or two. Just don't forget to backup the template, before and after applying any tweak.

More information.

• Blogger Help Forum: Expressions in layouts tags
• Blogger Help: Widget Tags for Layouts

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One way to organise a #Blogger blog layout is to display specific accessories and gadgets on specific pages, in the blog. Blogger, however, provides no feature to let us easily do this.

If you are able to use the Template Designer "Add CSS" wizard - or Template Editor - you can add conditional CSS rules which will make accessories and gadgets seem to be visible only on specific pages.