Drupal uses content types that act like forms in which you input content – text, images, videos, urls and files – in pre-defined fields and then that content gets stylized for you. Although we have multiple content types available, we try to maintain consistency across them where possible. Below are the common fields used across content types and what they do.


General Section


The below fields are most likely within the General Section:


  • The Title field you will find across every content type. It is used to identify the content in the Content tab listing of webpages when logged into Drupal. Within the Article content type, this Title field is renamed Headline, but it serves the same purpose.

Note: Drupal has multiple title fields. These can all be the same, and when you enter a title in the top Title field, the others will auto-populate. 

Modify the other fields only if you need different titles for special cases. Likewise, when changing the first Title field, check the others to ensure no unexpected changes were applied automatically.


  • Leave the Hide title checked (if the content type has this checkbox).

  • The SEO Title is used to provide titles that have been optimized for search engines like Google and Bing. This field is also what creates the url path. Within the Article content type, this title field is renamed SEO Headline, but it serves the same purpose.

  • The Short Title is used in instances where you have a very long Title and need a shorter version for where space is limited, like the Headlines Grid or Entity Reference component. Within the Article content type, this title field is renamed Short Headline, but it serves the same purpose.

  • The Page Header Title field is the title that actually appears on the webpage. We’ll dive into this more in the Header Section below.


  • The Short Description will be displayed by search engines such as Google and Bing, social media networks like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), and within our website in sections where the content is referenced like in a Headlines Grid and Entity Reference components. It’s optional, but an important field to fill in, to let users know what content to expect. SEO best practices recommends this field have 160 or less characters and it should be in sentence form.  Within the Event content type, this field is renamed Meta Description, but it serves the same purpose.



  • The Topics field allows you to select from a pre-determined list of Topics. If you start typing one of these topics into the field, the item will display in a dropdown. You’ll need to select the item from the dropdown.

    Topics are optional. You can add more than one topic; however, we recommend no more than three and they should only be added if 1. the content is truly relevant to the topic and 2. the webpage content advances substantive knowledge on the topic.

    While the Topic field is available on most content types, it is only currently utilized on some. If you use the event or article content types and select topic(s), once published, it’ll appear on that respective topic page(s) under the Events or Headlines section depending on published date.


Header Section

General Tab

  • The Optional Eyebrow displays as smaller intro text above the page header title. If left blank, the eyebrow will display as the Title of the page above it in the main menu structure.
  • The Page Header Title is described above within the Title fields section. It’s the title that gets displayed on the webpage.
  • The Description allows you to add a small blurb that is displayed below the Page Header Title. This is different than the short description field described above.  



The Background Settings Tab 

This tab allows you to add images to go behind your header, or select a background color, if you’d like. Please be mindful of the contrast between the text and the background color. Use the checkbox(s) under Style options when needed based on the help text guidance.  


 

These options are also available within components and follow the same guidance.


Main Content Area

The Main Content tab will be where you add in the content that goes below the header on your webpage. Some content types have components pre-added since they are used most often. If they are not needed, you can click the Remove button above the component and add in the components that are necessary for your content.   


In some Main Content tab areas, you’ll also see a Featured Image item. Here you can add an image for your content such as an image for your article or an image for your event. 


Additional components can be added into this area to create a vast number of layouts.


REMINDER: Don't forget to review your work when adding content. Learn about the different ways to view and preview your content.