Elmhurst College

Making a Template Page A template page is like a form, the main ideas or filled in, and the structure and layout is present. Instead of setting up all of the items each time you start a page, it is easier to have a template from which to start working. For example the top few lines with the Elmhurst logo serves as a template for the portfolio pages. At least initially for some of the pages it may be easier to start with a template page. This allows you to get started rather quickly, make some personal modifications, and set of the links to your pages quickly. For the portfolio, these directions are set up for you to use a template for the first homepage of your portfolio. You may modify this later, but for now it will be easier to use it. Making a template from your work: If you have made a page with the perfect colors, header, footer, or other features which you want to use on all of your pages, you can use that page as a template. 1. Make or open the page you like in the Netscape Composer. 2. Choose Save As... from the File Menu. 3. Select your floppy disk. a. Windows: Click the long "Look In" text box at the top of the window. A menu will drop down. One of the options will be "3.5" Floppy (A:)" (you may need to scroll to be able to see it). Select this by clicking on it. b. Macintosh: Click the "Desktop" button on the right side of the dialog box. Choose your floppy disk by double-clicking on it. 4. Name this page "template.html" or some other meaningful name for you. Rules for names and file structure for Saving Pages. 5. Click Save.   To use the template page, follow these directions. 1. From the Netscape Composer Open the page called "template.html". This page is now in the Netscape Composer. 2. Immediately choose Save As from the File Menu. 3. Select your floppy disk. a. Windows: Click the long "Look In" text box at the top of the window. A menu will drop down. One of the options will be "3.5" Floppy (A:)" (you may need to scroll to be able to see it). Select this by clicking on it. b.Macintosh: Click the "Desktop" button on the right side of the dialog box. Choose your floppy disk by double-clicking on it. 4. Give the page a new file name. Rules for names and file structure for Saving Pages. 5. Click Save. 6. This page will look exactly the same as the original. All you need to do now is edit the text! Procedures to edit text are carried out in the Composer with directions in this link.