How to Add Custom Page Properties in AEM

Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) is a powerful content management system offering customization to cater to diverse business requirements. One such customization is the addition of custom page properties in AEM, allowing users to store and manage additional page-specific information.

Key Takeaways

• Custom page properties in AEM allow for enhanced content management.
• Adding these properties involves extending the page component’s dialog.
• Understanding how to add custom page properties enhances the flexibility and personalization of AEM.

Understanding Custom Page Properties in AEM

Custom page properties in AEM are additional attributes that can be associated with a page. They allow users to store and manage extra information specific to each page, enhancing content management and personalization.

Importance of Custom Page Properties

Custom page properties:

1. Enhance page-specific content management and personalization.
2. Allow for more flexible content structuring.
3. Enable more precise targeting in content delivery.

Adding Custom Page Properties in AEM

Adding custom page properties in AEM involves extending the page component’s dialog. This process requires a basic understanding of AEM’s structure and some familiarity with Java, XML, or JSP.

Steps to Add Custom Page Properties in AEM

Here are the steps to add custom page properties in AEM:

1. Navigate to the appropriate page component folder in CRXDE Lite (e.g., /apps/<your_project>/components/content/page).
2. Inside the page component folder, create a new node named dialog of type cq:Dialog if it doesn’t already exist.
3. Within the dialog node, create a new node named tab of type cq:Widget.
4. Inside the tab node, add the properties: xtype with value tabpanel, title with value Custom, and activeTab with value 0.
5. Create a new node under tab and name it items. Make it of type cq:WidgetCollection.
6. Under items, you can now add your custom properties. Each property should be a node of type cq:Widget with the necessary properties.

Understanding the Dialog Structure

The dialog structure is a key concept to understand when adding custom page properties. The dialog is the interface where users interact with the properties of a page. By extending the dialog, users can add, remove, or modify properties as per their needs.

Using Custom Page Properties

Once added, custom page properties can be used in multiple ways, such as personalizing content, managing page layouts, or enhancing search functionality. They can be accessed and utilized in your AEM codebase using AEM’s APIs.

Conclusion

Adding custom page properties in AEM is a powerful way to enhance content management and personalization. By understanding the process and purpose of these properties, users can leverage them to create more engaging and personalized experiences on their AEM websites.