dotCMS
DotCMS is a Content Management System (CMS) through which CANR departments and units can edit and maintain their websites.
Logging into dotCMS
To access the website system, visit www.canr.msu.edu/admin and enter your MSU NetID and password. If you experience issues when attempting to log in, first ensure you are using the correct username and password. If the problem persists, contact ANR Information Technology for assistance at 517-355-3776 or send an email to anr.support@msu.edu.
Learning dotCMS
We recommend becoming familiar with the two most basic areas of the system first:
Advanced areas such as Templates and Widgets require additional system access. Please feel free to ask for those once you're comfortable. Profile Folders are also available for faculty with multi-page profiles.
If you've reviewed this documentation and still have questions, you can request training.
Demo Website
In addition to our training materials, there is a Demo Website featuring examples of each content type, widget, template, etc. It's not as useful as our training materials, but it can be helpful if you need to take a look at what a particular feature can do, or if you're trying to figure out if dotCMS has a particular capability.
Website Change Request Form
Need help with making an update to your website or don't have access to specific content in dotCMS to be able to edit it yourself? Submit a request for help to our web students using the Website Change Request Form.
What do I manage on our website? What do professional communicators manage?
Extension staff |
Professional communicators |
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When in doubt, email your Extension communicator. |
After reviewing the following Training Videos and Training Documentation content, if you have additional questions about using dotCMS you can contact ANR Technology Services for technical support at (517) 355-3776 or via email at anr.support@msu.edu. To request a training, please email webadmin@anr.msu.edu.
Training Videos
Below are several recorded training and walk-though videos that cover topics from basic dotCMS training, including how to create and edit pages and content, add an image or file to a page, create events, edit person profiles, and more.
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dotCMS: How to Create a Role for a Person Profile
Published on November 19, 2020
Learn how to create a role for a person profile in dotCMS.
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dotCMS: How to Create a Digital Document
Published on July 9, 2020
Learn how to create a Digital Document in dotCMS.
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dotCMS: How to Copy an Event - Short Version
Published on May 4, 2020
Learn how to copy and edit targeted fields for an event in dotCMS.
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dotCMS: How to Copy an Event - Long Version
Published on May 4, 2020
Learn how to copy and edit all fields for an event in dotCMS.
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dotCMS: How to Create a Call to Action
Published on March 4, 2020
Learn how to create a call to action and add it to your articles.
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dotCMS: How to Create a Relationship
Published on January 6, 2020
Learn how to create a content relationship.
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dotCMS: How to Create a Category or Tags
Published on January 6, 2020
Learn how to create categories and/or tags for your content.
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dotCMS: History Tab Bring Back Option
Published on January 6, 2020
Learn how to use the Bring Back option for your content.
Training Documentation
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Two methods for reordering pages in dotCMS
Published on August 9, 2022
Two methods for reordering pages in dotCMS. (Note: These only work for pages) -
YouTube Best Practices
Published on January 24, 2022
YouTube Best Practices. -
How to upload a podcast in dotCMS
Published on September 18, 2021
A tutorial in how to upload a podcast in dotCMS. -
Frequently Asked Questions
Published on August 20, 2021
Frequently Asked Questions about how to use and troubleshoot dotCMS. -
Accessibility Rules
Published on August 20, 2021
An overview of accessibility rules in dotCMS -
How to add an Image Gallery container
Published on July 9, 2021
Step by step instruction on how to add an Image Gallery container. -
How to Create a Video in dotCMS
Published on June 30, 2021
Learn how to create a video entry in dotCMS. -
Homepage Templates
Published on June 10, 2021
The Homepage series of templates were created to allow for more featureful homepages. They have since been replaced by the newer Modern Template series. -
Profile Folders - Adding and Editing Subpages
Published on June 9, 2021
Profile Folders allow individuals and departments to access a folder which contains an individual’s Person and Role entries as well as subpages, page content, files, and images. -
Profile Folders - Editing your Person and Role entries
Published on June 9, 2021
Profile Folders allow individuals and departments to access a folder which contains an individual’s Person and Role entries as well as subpages, page content, files, and images. -
How to Create an Event in dotCMS
Published on April 6, 2021
Learn how to create an event in dotCMS. -
Using Course Entries in dotCMS
Published on February 26, 2021
Course entries are one of the types of content in the CANR website system. This guide will help you determine when and how to use a Course content entry. -
Tagging Recommendations
Published on February 25, 2021
Many CANR websites are now based on tagging. Here are some tips on how to tag your content effectively. -
Posting on the MSU Extension Events Calendar
Published on February 24, 2021
The MSU Extension events calendar serves as the primary resource for anyone looking for MSU Extension events and activities. -
How to locate a Vimeo embed URL
Published on December 8, 2020
Step-by-Step guide on locating a Vimeo embed URL. -
What is a banner image and how can it be used for articles and homepages
Published on December 3, 2020
Learn about banner images and how they can be used for articles and homepages. -
How to locate an YouTube embed URL
Published on November 11, 2020
Step-by-Step guide on locating a YouTube embed URL. -
How to locate a MediaSpace embed URL
Published on November 11, 2020
Step-by-step guide on locating a Mediaspace embed URL. -
How to create a Role for a Person Profile in dotCMS
Published on October 20, 2020
Learn how to create a Role for a Person Profile in dotCMS. -
How to create a Person Profile in dotCMS
Published on September 2, 2020
Learn how to create a Person Profile in dotCMS. -
How to create a Digital Document in dotCMS
Published on June 29, 2020
Learn how to create a Digital Document in dotCMS. -
How to copy an event in dotCMS
Published on April 13, 2020
Learn how to copy and edit an event in dotCMS. -
How to reschedule an event in dotCMS due to novel coronavirus
Published on April 2, 2020
Learn how to reschedule event in dotCMS due to novel coronavirus. -
How to move an event online in dotCMS due to novel coronavirus
Published on March 31, 2020
Learn how to move an event online in dotCMS due to novel coronavirus. -
How to cancel an event in dotCMS due to novel coronavirus
Published on March 25, 2020
Learn how to cancel an event in dotCMS due to novel coronavirus. -
How to postpone an event in dotCMS due to novel coronavirus
Published on March 25, 2020
Learn how to postpone an event in dotCMS due to novel coronavirus. -
How to create a Person Listing Widget in dotCMS
Published on March 10, 2020
Learn how to create a Person Listing Widget in dotCMS. -
How to create a Call to Action in dotCMS
Published on February 4, 2020
Learn how to create a Call to Action in dotCMS. -
How to create an Article in dotCMS
Published on September 24, 2019
Learn how to create an Article in dotCMS. -
Best practices when creating articles in dotCMS
Published on September 23, 2019
Learn about the best practices for creating an article in dotCMS. -
Best practices when creating events in dotCMS
Published on June 24, 2019
Learn about the best practices for creating an event in dotCMS. -
Creating Top Level Navigation Menu Links in dotCMS
Published on August 3, 2017
From within the Content Management System (CMS), a website’s navigation is comprised of two different types of content, Folders and Pages: Top Level Navigation Links are comprised of a Folder and an Index Page. -
Creating Sub-Page Navigation Menu Links in dotCMS
Published on August 3, 2017
The final level of navigation on your site can be created as pages within a folder without "index" pages. -
Pages Tab Context Menu Options in dotCMS
Published on August 3, 2017
The Pages Tab context menu can be accessed by right clicking on the page, file, or folder you wish to modify. -
Adding New content (generic) to a page in dotcms
Published on August 3, 2017
From the Edit Tab, you are able to add new generic content including images and videos, to the page container. -
Placing Existing Content (Generic) on a Page using the Edit Screen in dotCMS
Published on August 3, 2017
From the Preview Screen, users can place the same block of content on multiple pages retaining the ability to only have to edit that piece of content once. The updates would then filter to all pages that content is placed on. -
Reordering, Removing, and Editing Content using the Preview Screen in dotCMS
Published on August 3, 2017
The dotCMS Preview Screen allows you to reorder blocks of content on a page, remove a content block from a page (but not the system), and edit existing content blocks. -
Editing Content Using the WYSIWYG Editor in dotCMS
Published on August 3, 2017
The WYSIWYG Editor allows you to enter/format text, images, and videos in a way that resembles how the content will appear on the website. Many content types, such as Events or Articles, contain a WYSIWYG Editor for entering the bulk of the information. -
Searching Existing Content Entries in dotCMS
Published on August 3, 2017
The content entry list can be manipulated in many ways to assist you in locating and managing all your content entires by using the Search Section of the Content Tab. -
Adding New Content (articles, events, etc.) in dotCMS
Published on August 2, 2017
From the Content Search, you can add new Article, Event, and Person entries that have the ability to populate existing listings.