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[synapsis Friend synapsisJoin date: April 2007Posts: 234Downloads:18Uploads:28 Thanks: 58 Thanked: 19 times in 1 posts]

#171967

I know I can assign a specific template style to each menu item of my site. What I need help figuring out is how I could create a minor variation of my default JA_Bistro theme, with only a change to the background in the #ja-container div, so that the background for that div changes depending on the menu item you select. Everything else should stay the same.

I literally want to change only a single line of CSS to create a new “template style” that I can attach to menu items, so that each page’s background color changes, based on the menu item selected.

What’s the easiest way to do this with the least amount of code? I don’t want to bog the site down with 7 different themes — especially with only a single line of code is changing per template style.

Advice and suggestions are most welcome. Thanks in advance.

[TomC Moderator TomCJoin date: October 2014Posts: 14077Downloads:58Uploads:137 Thanks: 948 Thanked: 3155 times in 2495 posts]

#430458

You basically need to create a template/theme override – which you will associate/assign to your chosen menu item (within your Template Manager) – in which you will include your custom CSS item.

For more info on template/theme overrides . . . .

http://docs.joomla.org/Layout_Overrides_in_Joomla_1.6

and

http://docs.joomla.org/Understanding_Output_Overrides

[synapsis Friend synapsisJoin date: April 2007Posts: 234Downloads:18Uploads:28 Thanks: 58 Thanked: 19 times in 1 posts]

#430465

Thanks for the suggestion, but wow does that look complicated considering that all I really want to do is change a SINGLE line in the template.css for the Bistro template, per menu item on the main menu. That’s it. Nothing more. Is there really no easier way to do this? I thought I’d be able to apply this kind of change the same way I might apply the green or brown or red versions of the template on different menu items, by cloning the default, making the template.css change to each of the clones I’d need to create, and then assigning that clone to the menu item. Maybe I haven’t had enough caffeine, but those links you sent me to looked far more complicated than I ever expected this would be.

Could you please give me a real-world example of what you’re suggesting with these Output/Layout Overrides? I’m betting that the docs that you link to are really just over-complicating the process. Or at least, that’s what I’m hoping.

I’ll PM you a userid and password if you think you can help me with this. I only need to see how something is done once, and then I should be more than capable of doing the others.

[synapsis Friend synapsisJoin date: April 2007Posts: 234Downloads:18Uploads:28 Thanks: 58 Thanked: 19 times in 1 posts]

#430592

Well, after much frustration, I managed to create new profiles and themes for the different menu items, and assign them to the menu pages as I wanted. I’d go into greater detail, but I’m really behind schedule on my deadline due to this hold-up. But I’m sympathetic to anyone else trying to do what I described above, so I’ll keep a subscription on this thread in case anyone else is wanting to do something similar and having trouble. I’ll be glad to give a simple how-to as soon as I am able.

[TomC Moderator TomCJoin date: October 2014Posts: 14077Downloads:58Uploads:137 Thanks: 948 Thanked: 3155 times in 2495 posts]

#430776

CONGRATULATIONS . . . and GREAT JOB !!!

As I always say, it is amazing what a little trial-and-error + patience can accomplish.

I, myself, will be looking forward to seeing your solution – when you find some time to post it for us.

All the best with your continuing site development.

😎

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