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: Extension types (general definitions)

Recommended Reading

Managing Templates

• Getting Started with Templates
• Templates supplied with Joomla!
• Installing a template
• Accessing the Template Manager
• Switching templates
• Template style   
• Upgrading a Joomla! 1.5 template to Joomla! 2.5

For more administrator information, see Template Management.

Developers

• Accessibility
• Beez - an accessible default template
• Creating clickable background images using CSS
• Joomla! 1.5 Template Tutorial.
• Joomla! 2.5 Template Tutorial by Rvsjoen.
• Jim Yuzwalk has contributed a useful PDF to Joomla templates (download the example template from [1]).
• Changing the site favicon
• Using Class Suffixes
• Using Firebug With Your Joomla Website
• Understanding Output Overrides
• Creating custom template parameter types
• How are templates executed?
• How to determine if the user is viewing the front page
• Template parameters
• jdoc statements
• Objects methods and properties available from your template - what you can do with $this
• Find answers to questions about templates in the Template FAQ category

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Please see the list of Wiki articles in the Template category and the list of frequently asked Template questions.