How do I change space layouts in custom themes?
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Note that this knowledge base article was created for the Data Center version of the product. Data Center knowledge base articles for non-Data Center-specific features may also work for Server versions of the product, however they have not been tested. Support for Server* products ended on February 15th 2024. If you are running a Server product, you can visit the Atlassian Server end of support announcement to review your migration options.
*Except Fisheye and Crucible
Purpose
Many custom themes do not support configuring a custom layout via the user interface. The guide below is an example to change the layout in the Documentation theme. The aim is to remove the children displayed at the bottom of the page.
Solution
- Unzip the
<confluence-install>/confluence/WEB-INF/classes/com/atlassian/confluence/setup/atlassian-bundled-plugins.zip(for Confluence 4.3.x and earlier) or go to<confluence-install>/confluence/WEB-INF/atlassian-bundled-plugins(for Confluence 5.x and above) - Unjar the
doctheme-X.X.X.X.jarin the unzippedatlassian-bundled-plugins.zip. - Once unjarred, edit the
/doctheme/decorators/page.vmd. Comment the following line in the file:
##renderChildren()- Save the file.
- Jar the file back to
doctheme-X.X.X.X.jar. - Zip the
atlassian-bundled-plugins.zipback (for Confluence 4.3.x and earlier only) - Restart your Confluence. Your changes would be reflected after this.
If you need a guide to help with the editing files within JAR archives, you can refer to this documentation. However, please keep in mind that the Documentation Theme plugin is part of bundled plugins. Hence, it is stored in a special place, which is located at <confluence-install>/confluence/WEB-INF/classes/com/atlassian/confluence/setup/atlassian-bundled-plugins.zip. Therefore, if you are following the guide, please make sure the paths are correct.