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Blogger Magic - "Configure Page List"

The "Configure Page List" wizard is an extremely useful - yet obscure - feature in the dashboard Layout page.

Not every blog owner sees the "Pages" gadget, in the "Layout" page and knows to click on "Edit", to access "Configure Page List". Nor do all owners know how many assorted functions, previously part of the "Pages" dashboard wizard, are now found, exclusively, under "Configure Page List".

"Configure Page List" is an essential component in the pages management suite, in the Blogger dashboard.

"Configure Page List" is accessible in two different ways.

  • From the Layout dashboard menu - if the Pages gadget has been added to the blog.
  • Using the appropriate "Quick Edit" icon - if "Quick Edit" is enabled, for the blog.

Add the Pages gadget, to the blog, if it's not present.

If the Pages gadget is not visible on the Layout display, you may need to add the gadget, to the blog.

To make the Pages gadget function as a horizontal link bar - the most popular layout - you add the gadget into the "crosscol" template section, in the dashboard Layout page. The "crosscol" section, on standard Blogger templates, contains CSS rules which make lists display horizontally.

Enable "Quick Edit", if necessary.

If you wish to use "Quick Edit" to access "Configure Page List", you may need to enable "Quick Edit".

"Configure Page List" has many functions.


Find the Page List gadget, in "Layout", and click on the pencil icon.



When you edit the Page List gadget, you get "Configure Page List".



Here, we see "Pages to show" (to select static pages), "Add external link" (to add dynamic pages), and "List Order" (to delete dynamic pages, using the "X").

"Configure Page List" has various functions, in managing both dynamic and static pages.

  • Change the Title of the Pages gadget, in the Layout wizard display, using "Title".
  • Hide / Show "Home" and various static pages, created by Page Editor, by using "Pages to show".
  • Resequence the order of display of the various pages, by dragging and dropping using "List order".
  • Add dynamic pages, previously called "Web address" entries, using "Add external link". Dynamic pages can include individual posts, archive retrievals, label searches, and other blogs or websites. Be very precise, when entering an "Add external link" entry for "Web address (URL)".
  • Delete dynamic pages, by clicking on the "X", using "List order".
  • Note that to change the caption or URL for a dynamic page, you must delete then re add a new dynamic page entry, using the desired name and URL.
  • Let you remove the Pages gadget, using the "Remove" button.

To use "Configure Page List" effectively, you need to understand the differences between Pages and Posts.

The gadget will change form, depending upon location.

The "Pages" gadget may be present in various locations, in the blog - and may have different appearances, depending upon location.

In either appearance, if "Quick Edit" is enabled, you can access "Configure Page List" by clicking on the "Quick Edit" icon. Or, you can Edit the Pages gadget from the Layout menu in the dashboard.

History.

In 2014, Blogger reorganised the various pages maintenance utilities, and moved a wide assortment of functions into "Configure Page List". This change caused some confusion, with many blog owners.

Comments

M said…
Great, helpful article! Thanks!
Unknown said…
Very VERY helpful!
Thank you! :)
Unknown said…
Thank you. Wondering why only Home page displays in the "Configure Page List" - the rest of my pages do not display. Pointer will be much appreciated. Thanks again.

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