What is a Template?

A Joomla template is a package of files that are installed within the "back-end" of your Joomla site. Learn how to install a template. The template selected controls the overall look and layout of your site. It provides a framework that brings together elements like articles, menu items, modules, and other components.  It also provides a cascading style sheet for your site. A template organizes what you see on the web page, and it works with the content stored in your database. Browse our list of recommended 3rd party template developers.

The screenshots below illustrate how templates are used with sample content. As you scroll through the images, notice the pattern that connects the templates to one another. Notice how the style of the template differs, but the content stays largely the same. The user is able to change many different features of the template. For example, the positioning of side menus can be manipulated by the user. These can be added or removed via module edition. Also, users can create drop-down menus, and so on.

The style of the template will shape content inserted by the user. There is an inherit style sheet defined in each template such as link styles, menu styles, navigation, font, and many, many more. Apart from the simple look and feel of the site, the template can be developed further with additional extensions.

Each template has its own rules and depth of customization available through GUI in the administration area (the back end) of the site. Some templates, for example, might not offer the option to use background wallpapers, restricting it to simple colors instead. Occasionally, users will need to dig deeper into the functions of a particular template and edit the php, css, or html files. Typically, however, this is not necessary.

Each template at your disposal can be switched instantly through the back end of your site. The effects of changing templates can vary due to the fact that parts of the page like header, menus, syndicate, and additional appearance features can change from to template to template. Each template is unique.