Using Modules to Display Content in Joomla 6

Written by: Thanh Le | 14 October 2025 | Hits: 15
3 min read
Using Modules to Display Content in Joomla 6

Modules are one of the most flexible tools in Joomla 6. They allow you to display content, menus, banners, custom HTML, or dynamic data in different parts of your website — such as the sidebar, footer, or homepage.

1. What Is a Module?

A module is a lightweight Joomla extension used to show specific pieces of content. For example:

  • Main Menu Module – Displays your site’s navigation.
  • Latest Articles Module – Lists the newest posts.
  • Custom Module – Lets you add your own HTML, text, or images.

Modules work together with templates — each module is assigned to a position within your site’s layout (like “sidebar”, “footer”, or “banner”).

2. Accessing Modules

  • From the Administrator Dashboard, go to Content → Site Modules.
  • You’ll see a list of all active modules with their title, status, and position.
  • Click any module to edit it or create a new one by clicking New.

3. Creating a New Module

  • Click New in the Site Modules list.
  • Select a Module Type — such as:
    • Articles → Latest Articles
    • Menus → Main Menu
    • Custom → Custom HTML
    • Login → Login Form
    • Search → Search Box
  • Enter a Title for the module (optional to show on front-end).
  • Select a Position (e.g., sidebar, footer, or banner).
  • Set Status to Published.
  • Click Save & Close.

4. Choosing a Module Position

Module positions are defined by your Joomla template. To view available positions:

  • Go to System → Site Template Styles.
  • Select your active template.
  • Click the Preview Module Positions button.
  • Joomla will display an overlay showing all available positions on the page (like position-1, position-2, footer, etc.).

5. Assigning Modules to Specific Pages

You can control where each module appears:

  • Open the module you want to edit.
  • Go to the Menu Assignment tab.
  • Choose one of these options:
    • On All Pages – Displays everywhere.
    • Only on Selected Pages – Choose specific menu items.
    • No Pages – Hides the module temporarily.
  • Click Save & Close.

6. Example: Creating a “Welcome” Custom Module

Let’s make a simple text module to greet your visitors:

  • Go to Content → Site Modules → New.
  • Choose Custom as the module type.
  • Add a title like “Welcome Message”.
  • Type your message (e.g., “Welcome to our Joomla 6 website!”).
  • Assign it to position-2 (sidebar).
  • Publish and save.

Now your message will appear wherever position-2 is displayed in your template.

7. Managing Module Ordering

If multiple modules share the same position, you can change their order:

  • In Site Modules, click and drag the move handle (⋮⋮) next to the module’s title.
  • Rearrange them as desired — Joomla updates instantly.

8. Tips for Beginners

  • Use clear titles — this helps when managing many modules.
  • Uncheck “Show Title” if you want a clean look without headings.
  • Experiment with positions in your template preview to learn how layout works.
  • Disable unused modules instead of deleting them — you may reuse them later.

9. Summary

Modules give Joomla 6 its layout flexibility. By assigning modules to positions and pages, you can customize how content appears across your website — from menus and sidebars to banners and login boxes.

In the next tutorial, you’ll learn how to manage Joomla templates in Working with Templates in Joomla 6.