Introduction #

This document explains the different page types and explains when they should be used.

Portlet #

This is the original type of layout supported and the default when adding a new page. It allows users to put portlets in certain areas determined by a Layout Template. Liferay offers several Layout templates by default but it's also possible to create new ones.

Use this page type if you want the 'normal' behaviour of the portal. A stripped down version is the panel, which is described next.

Panel #

A panel is a type of page that can hold a number of applications and provide access between them through a menu. The main difference with the 'portlet' pages is that the user does not select where the portlet will be shown and cannot configure it but only which portlets will be available in that panel. Based on that a menu will be generated listing the available portlets. When a portlet is clicked it'll be shown in maximized mode, but the panel menu will keep being visible.

As an effect this page does not know about portlet instances, and you may only choose portlets that cannot be instantiated.

Use this page type if it is sufficient to show one portlet on the page or if you want the navigation between portlets to be built by Liferay. If seems like the portlets to be shown on this page cannot be configured separately.

Embedded #

Shows an external website or application as a page of a Liferay website through an Iframe. It's great for quick integration of external applications. The Iframe automatically resizes to avoid unnecessary scrolling.

Use this page type if you want to embed another website into your portal and the user's browser has access to that site (the IFrame won't resolve otherwise). If the user has no direct access to the to be embedded application you will have to use the Web Proxy Portlet instead.

Web Content #

This type of page shows a single piece of content created with Liferay Web Content (Journal).

URL #

This type of Layout is meant to add a link to an external resource to the website menu. Though this type of pages do not show any content of its own.

Use this if you want to provide a link to other websites in the Liferay menu. Be aware that users leave your site via this link.

Link to Page #

This page type is a specialization of the previous case to make links to other pages of the same website. Liferay offers you a drop down list of available pages to link to - so other than with URL you have more comfort in setting up and maintaining the link.

Use it when you want a page which resides at one point in the pages hierarchy to be accessible from somewhere else as well.