Enable the left column for one page...

**Alex Clarke** · 4 Mar 2007, 12:59 PM

I know that it's possible to turn off the left column completely. And I also know that it's possible to override the left (or even right) column and turn it off for certain pages.

But is this possible...

I would like to turn the left column off for all pages (with the exception of one - not the homepage).

Other than using CSS (which would be quite bulky for this simple opperation) is there an easier way?

Thanks. :)

**clydejones** · 4 Mar 2007, 01:30 PM

How 'bout something like this in tpl_main_page.php

if (!$current_page_base == 'yourpagename') {
$flag_disable_left = true;
}

**Alex Clarke** · 4 Mar 2007, 01:54 PM

I really should hang my head in shame!

I remember (before the option via admin to turn off the left/right columns on the homepage was available) asking a very similar question and this was the solution!

Thanks Clyde. You've saved me a lot of time! :)

**Alex Clarke** · 4 Mar 2007, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by clydejones

How 'bout something like this in tpl_main_page.php

if (!$current_page_base == 'yourpagename') {
$flag_disable_left = true;
}

Mmm... that didn't appear to work.

I'm not sure if this will work at all, because I would first have to turn off the left column via admin and then override the left column for 'yourpagename' in tpl_main_page.php.

However, I don't think you can override columns when they have been turned off (globally) via admin.

What makes me think this...

Show Column Left, unless page override exists?
0= Column Left is always off
1= Column Left is on, unless page override

The above is taken from the admin.

Do you think/know of a work around?

**clydejones** · 4 Mar 2007, 03:05 PM

Alex,

It won't work if the left column is turned off globally. You'll have to set the column to 1 in the admin.

Then that peice of code should work to turn off the left column on all pages except the for that one page.

**Alex Clarke** · 4 Mar 2007, 05:14 PM

Ok, that makes sense, but it still isn't working.

I turned the left column on globally (via admin) and added the following to my tpl_main_page.php...

Code:

  if (!$current_page_base == 'welcome') {
	$flag_disable_left = true;
  }

My page (that I've created is called 'welcome'). The above code was added below this code...

Code:

// the following IF statement can be duplicated/modified as needed to set additional flags
  if (in_array($current_page_base,explode(",",'list_pages_to_skip_all_right_sideboxes_on_here,separated_by_commas,and_no_spaces')) ) {
    $flag_disable_right = true;
  }

When viewing my 'welcome' page in the left column is there, but it's also there on all other pages!

Have I added the code incorrectly or forgotten to do something? I'm really stumped with this one!

**Alex Clarke** · 4 Mar 2007, 05:23 PM

Sorted! :)

I used the following code, which seems to work.

Code:

if ($_GET['main_page'] == 'welcome') {
  $flag_disable_left = false;
  } else {
  $flag_disable_left = true;
  }

Hope it helps someone else! :)

Thanks for the help Clyde.

**clydejones** · 4 Mar 2007, 06:38 PM

glad you got it working.

**Qwert302** · 31 Aug 2008, 09:30 PM

Where exactly did you put that code to get it to work? I'm trying to ger a right side box on my main page only and am having no luck. Thanks.

**gjh42** · 31 Aug 2008, 09:59 PM

It would go near the top of tpl_main_page.php.

PHP Code:


if (!$this_is_home_page) {
  $flag_disable_right = true;
}

You can put it right below this:

PHP Code:


// the following IF statement can be duplicated/modified as needed to set additional flags
  if (in_array($current_page_base,explode(",",'list_pages_to_skip_all_right_sideboxes_on_here,separated_by_commas,and_no_spaces')) ) {
    $flag_disable_right = true;
  }