Skip to main content

Patterns

What is a pattern?​

A common need is to share component layout between multiple compositions. Patterns let you do this by defining a pattern composition that can then be referenced by other compositions anywhere that the pattern's component type is allowed. For example, you could use a pattern to share a legal disclaimer, news release author bio, or standard global header across many compositions.

How do I create a pattern?​

There are two ways to create a pattern:

  • In the Canvas sidebar, click on the Pattern Library and then add a pattern of any type with the red (+) button.
  • When editing a composition, click the ... menu on any component within it and choose Convert to Pattern to turn that component and any of its children into a pattern.

How do I use a pattern?​

You can use a pattern like a regular component by adding it to a composition in a slot. If patterns are available they will appear when you insert a component into a composition in the add to slot list.

How can I change a pattern?​

Once a pattern is referenced on a composition, the pattern's component(s) are shown but cannot be edited. This is to prevent accidentally editing shared component data without meaning to.

To edit a pattern, which will change it everywhere it is referenced, you can:

  • Click the ... menu on a referenced pattern in a composition and choose Edit Pattern to open the pattern for editing.
  • Find the pattern in the Pattern Library and open it for editing.

Copying patterns​

Sometimes you may wish to 'unlink' from a pattern and make a copy of its contents. This lets you make a copy of the pattern that can be changed without affecting the original pattern; the copy will no longer have any relation to the pattern. To do this from the composition editor, click a referenced pattern's ... menu and choose Copy Pattern. The copy will be expanded in place.

Pattern Limitations​

There are some limitations of where and how you can use patterns that you should be aware of.

  • Creating a pattern from a component type, such as Personalization, Localization, or A/B Test, which inherits its allowed components from a parent slot is not allowed. This is because you cannot determine the components allowed in the pattern with no parent slot.
  • Patterns cannot be added as children of an A/B Test or Localization.
  • You cannot reference a pattern as the root component of a composition