Mini panels

Mini panels allow you to add multiple components within a single panel on a panel page.

Mini panels can be used across multiple web pages. If you edit a mini panel, all pages that use that mini panel will automatically update.

Use a mini panel when:

• you want to include multiple components within a single panel
• you want to create a content block with specific styling to use across multiple pages.

Mini panels shouldn't be used when:

• another component will provide the structure, format or functionality required for the content
• the panel page layout can be changed to provide the desired layout.

Mini panels can be created by:

• site builders.

To create a mini panel, you'll need to:

• create the mini panel component
• add components to the mini panel
• add the mini panel to a panel page.

Step 1: creating the mini panel component

1. From the black Drupal menu at the top of the page, select 'Structure' > 'Mini panels' > 'Add'.
2. Enter a title and description to help page editors identify the panel. These details won't appear on the page. A good naming convention to use is MP: LocationToBeUsed: MiniPanelName (e.g. MP: Homepage: Social media)
3. Enter your organisational unit's acronym under 'Category' (e.g. ITS). This category helps page editors locate all the mini panels your unit has created.
4. Click 'Continue'.
5. You won't need to make any changes on the 'Context' page. Click 'Continue'.
6. Select 'UQ Components' from the 'Category' drop-down menu.
7. Select your desired layout and click 'Continue'.
8. Click 'Finish' to save the mini panel.

Step 2: adding components to the mini panel

1. From the black Drupal menu at the top of the page, select 'Structure' > 'Mini panels'.
2. Find your mini panel in the list and select 'Edit'.
3. Select 'Content' from the links on the top right of the page.
4. In the section where you would like to add your component, click the edit cog and select 'Add content'.
5. In the side menu, choose the component you want to add from the relevant category. Most components are grouped under 'UQ'.
6. Complete the required fields to configure the component.
7. Click 'Finish' to save the configured component.
8. Repeat steps 3 – 7 to add any additional components to the remaining sections and click 'Save'.

Step 3: adding the mini panel to a panel page

1. Click 'Customize this page' in the black Drupal menu at the bottom of the page, and then click the plus icon (+) in the blue box at the top of page.
2. In the side menu, navigate to the category you entered when you created your mini panel and select your mini panel.
3. Click 'Finish'.

After creating the mini panel, you can add a section style to the panel to finalise the layout.

Don't edit the default mini panels in the 'UQ' content category. Changes to these mini panels will be lost each time ITS makes updates to Drupal.

Mini panels can be edited by:

• site builders.

You can edit mini panels through:

• the Drupal menu, or
• the panel page.

Editing mini panels through the Drupal menu

1. From the black Drupal menu at the top of the page, select 'Structure' > 'Mini panels'.
2. Locate your mini panel in the list and select 'Edit'.
3. Select 'Content' from the links on the top right of the page.
4. To edit the content within a component, select the edit cog on the right-hand side of the component and click 'Edit'.
5. To edit the styling of a component, select the edit cog on the right-hand side of the component and click 'CSS properties'.

Editing mini panels through the panel page

1. Click 'Customize this page' in the black Drupal menu at the bottom of the page, and then click the edit cog on the right corner of the mini panel.
2. Click 'Configure mini panel'.
3. To edit the content within a component, select the edit cog on the right-hand side of the component and click 'Edit'.
4. To edit the styling of a component, select the edit cog on the right-hand side of the component and click 'CSS properties'.

• Don't nest mini panels inside other mini panels.
• Minimise the number of mini panels used on a site to avoid excessive content maintenance.

Complete all required fields and as many optional fields as possible to provide the best user experience.