What are Joomla! modules?

Joomla! modules are lightweight extensions or “widgets” that can be inserted into a page to display specific types of pre-configured content. Typical examples include the login module, latest news module and banner module.

Joomla! is installed with a wide range of default modules that can be added to pages almost immediately or, you can download third-party modules for use on your site or even choose to create your own.

Default modules include:

  • Archived Articles  – shows a list of the calendar months containing archived articles.
  • Articles – Newsflash  – displays a fixed number of articles from a specific category.
  • Articles – Related Articles – displays other articles that are related to the one currently being viewed.
  • Articles Categories  – displays a list of categories from one parent category.
  • Articles Category  – displays a list of articles from one or more categories.
  • Banners  – displays the active banners from the component.
  • Breadcrumbs  – displays the breadcrumbs.
  • Custom  – allows you to create your own HTML module using a WYSIWYG editor.
  • Feed Display  – allows the displaying of a syndicated feed.
  • Footer  – shows the Joomla! copyright information.
  • Language Switcher  – displays a list of available content languages.
  • Latest News  – shows a list of the most recently published and current articles.
  • Latest Users  – displays the latest registered users.
  • Login  – displays a username and password login form.
  • Menu  – displays a menu on the front end.
  • Most Read Content  – shows a list of the currently published articles with the highest views.
  • Popular Tags  – displays the most commonly used tags.
  • Random Image  – displays a random image from your chosen directory.
  • Search  – displays a search box.
  • Similar Tags  – displays links to other items with similar tags.
  • Smart Search Module  – a search module for the smart search system.
  • Statistics  – shows information about your server installation.
  • Syndication Feeds  – creates a syndicated feed for the page.
  • Weblinks  – displays weblinks from a category defined in the weblinks component.
  • Who’s Online  – displays the number of users on your site.
  • Wrapper  – displays an iFrame window with content from a specified location.

Once logged in to the Joomla! back-end, navigate to Extensions > Modules to view the Module Manager.

Joomla! Module manager

The Module Manager details all modules currently available for use on the site. All Joomla! websites require at least one Menu module to operate, but you may have others listed too.

Each module listed includes:

  • Status – a green tick or a red X showing whether the module is enabled/disabled.
  • Title – the module name.
  • Type – the module type.
  • Pages – indicates where the module is being displayed.
  • Access – who has access to the module.
  • Position – the position on the page where this module is displayed. Positions are defined in the Template in use for the page.

Create a module

If you wish to add a new module to your website, use the + New button at the top left of the page.

+ New button

Select the Module Type on the following page.

Module type

Once selected, you can configure settings specific to each module. Choose a title, the type of content displayed, select a position for the module to be displayed, configure access privileges and more.

Module settings

Switch to the Menu Assignment tab to select the pages on which the module will be displayed.

Menu assignment

Use the Save button at the top left of the page to lock in your settings.

Save button

Now head to your site’s front-end to see the module in action.

Published module

Remove a module

To disable an active module, all you have to do is click the green check in the module’s Status field. The status will change to a red X and the module will no longer be displayed in the configured position.

Module status

For further questions, or if you need help, please open a support ticket from your HostPapa Dashboard. Follow this link to learn how.

Related Articles

Get online with our affordable web hosting

Get online with our affordable web hosting

Learn more now
HostPapa Mustache