Template

Theme redirects here.

A template is the type of Joomla! extension that changes the way your site looks. There are two types of templates: Front-end Templates and Back-end Templates.

See also: Component, Module, Plugin

See also: Joomla! Extensions Defined

Recommended Reading

Managing Templates

• Introduction to Joomla! templates
• Installing a template
• Accessing the Template Manager
• Switching templates
• Template style   
• Upgrading a Joomla! 1.0 template to Joomla! 1.5
• Upgrading a Joomla! 1.5 template to Joomla! 2.5

For more administrator information, see Template Management.

Developers

• Accessibility
• Creating clickable background images using CSS
• Jim Yuzwalk has contributed a useful introduction to Joomla templates (download the example template from here).
• Changing the site favicon
• Using Class Suffixes
• Using Firebug With Your Joomla Website   
• Understanding Output Overrides    
• Layout Overrides in Joomla 2.5   
• How are templates executed?
• How to determine if the user is viewing the front page
• jdoc statements
• Objects methods and properties available from your template - what you can do with $this
• How to cloak email addresses   

For more developer information, see Template Development.

What types of templates are there?

Front-end Templates

Front-end templates change the way your site looks to average users. Most of the templates you use will be Front-end Templates. Three Front-end templates come preinstalled with Joomla!: rhuk_milkyway, beez and Ja_purity.

Back-end Templates

Back-end Templates are much rarer than Frontend Templates. You will probably never need to change your Back-end Template. Back-end Templates allow you to change the way the administrator interface looks.

Where can I get new templates?

There are some wonderful templates that were made in the template contest. There are also many websites where both free and non-free Joomla! templates can be downloaded.

How can I create a new template?

If you are interested in creating your own template than there are a few thing that you might want to know before you start. first you will need to know CSS, HTML, and PHP. Joomla! has created a tutorial for those who would like to create their own template.

More Template Information.

Here is a list of Wiki articles in the Template category: Category:Templates. Here is a list of frequently asked Template questions: Category:Template FAQ.