The Datasource Tab

The data source for the related view.

The Datasource tab contains the following fields:

Use (pick value from list, default=Embedded Data Source)

Specify what kind of Data Source you want this widget to use:

You can select one of the following values:

Embedded Data Source

Use the Data Source defined in the Embedded Data Source definition field below. An embedded Data Source cannot be shared with other widgets.

External Data Source

Use an external Data Source component. An external data source can be shared between widgets.

You specify the Data Source you want to use by dropping it on the External Data Source field in this widget's Related content area.

Template Data Source

Use the Data Source component placed in the same template group as this widget. An external data source placed in a template group can be shared between all the widgets belonging to the same group.

You can only use this method for widgets that will be placed in the View area of a Gallery template group, since this is the only template group that is allowed to contain a Data Source. The Data Source must be placed in the Gallery's Data Source area.

For more about the use of Data Sources in Gallery template groups, see Define a Media Player and Playlist.

Start at (number)

You do not have to start selecting items to display at the beginning of the Data Source. By specifying a number here you can start anywhere you like. If you specify 4, for example, then the first three items returned by the Data Source are skipped, and you start with the fourth item.

This parameter is particularly useful when used together with the Maximum items parameter for selecting items from a shared external Data Source. You can, for example, set up these parameters so that one widget takes the first three content items, another takes items four to six and a third widget takes all the rest.

Maximum items (number)

The maximum number of items to be read from the Data Source.

This parameter is particularly useful when used together with the Start at parameter for selecting items from a shared external Data Source. You can, for example, set up these parameters so that one widget takes the first three content items, another takes items four to six and a third widget takes all the rest.

Embedded Data Source definition (custom form)

The definition of this widget's Data Source. Any values you enter here are only used if Use is set to Embedded Data Source

For a detailed description of how to use this field, see Configuring a Data Source.

Related datasource (relation)