A relatively new feature of Joomla! is the ability to display the same module in multiple positions, and varying it depending on which page you are looking at. For example, you might want to display the search module in the header position on home page, but you want it in the left position on each sub page. Here is a quick and easy way to accomplish this.

Step 1: Make a Copy of Your Module

For this example, I will be working with the "Search" module. Joomla! makes it easy to make a copy of each module. Just follow these steps:

1) Select the checkbox of the module you wish to copy in your module manager.

2) Click the "Copy" button in the toolbar.

3) Voila! You have copied your module!

You should now have a "Copy of Search" module listed in your module manager.

Step 2: Modify the Settings for Your Module Copy

Click on "Copy of Search" to modify its settings. The first thing you want to modify is the module position. In this case, our copy needs to go in the left module position.

The next thing we want to modify is the Menu Items for which our module will display. For this example, we want to display our copy in all pages but the "Home" page. To do this, select every menu item in the "Menu Items" except for the "Home" menu item. NOTE: Do not select "All" from the list, as this will cause the copy to display on every page, including the "Home" page.

Step 3: Modify the Settings for Your Original Module

This step is exactly the same as step 2 with a couple of exceptions. For this example, we want our original module to display only on the "Home" page in the "header" position. For this, you need to set the module position to "header", and only select the "Home" menu item in the "Menu Items" list.

You can modify this process to display the same module in as many positions as you want on as many pages as you want. It is strictly up to you. If you have any questions, please post them in the comments.

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written by BTOS, September 30, 2006

Finally a website with acutal screenshots to back up the prevelant confusing and infuriating jargon that frusrtated me from most of the other so-called tutorial sites. The print without visuals puts me into a coma. Finally I have confidence in my ability to get er done. PRESENTATION IS VERY WELL DONE. THANK YOU.

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written by Cory, September 30, 2006

I'm glad you liked it.

I know the jargon can get confusing. Sometimes when you've been around Joomla! for a long time, you lose site of what is confusing jargon and what is language that the rest of the world understands. Thanks for that feedback. I'll try to keep this stie as jargon-free as possible.

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written by Hiker, October 27, 2006

Thank you very much.
This solution is so simple
I think i looked over it.
Anyway thank you for helping and I really like your site.

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written by Allen Quinn, October 30, 2006

Great Tip. Thanks, Allen

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written by Cory, October 30, 2006

You're welcome

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written by Jeff, December 30, 2006

I can't believe I missed how to turn various components on/off with the menu. Thanks for the visual! I saw this and literally jumped up and down and said, "that's how it works!". Thanks.

Jeff

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written by John-Joseph, January 13, 2007

This is Coolness on Steroids !!!

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written by Cory, January 13, 2007

This is Coolness on Steroids !!!

lol! I'm glad you liked it.

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written by PeBe, January 14, 2007

Thanks for the explanation and screenshoot also

this web help me very much

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written by Cory, January 14, 2007

PeBe: You're welcome! I'm glad it was helpful.

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written by mr_nabo, February 04, 2007

Nice trick. I've looked through your pages and you're a ninja at Joomla it seems. Maybe you can answer this very frustrating question I have:

Is there a way of displaying modules ONLY in a specific section or category but not in it's child pages? i.e. Only in Section 3 but not in the categories and content items within that category?

Thanks

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written by Cory, February 05, 2007

Good question, Mr. Nabo. I have to think about that one, and I'll get back to you.

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written by Niko, February 05, 2007

Thanks a lot, Corry! A very well-written and illustrated tutorial that is. Keep up the good work!

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written by myBoubah, February 18, 2007

Thank you Cory. I was looking for this trick when your site popped up. very useful. I was able to rename the copy and change the content of my custom module. Very good stuff!!!

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written by Susan, May 04, 2007

Great tutorial, Cory! Thank you.

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written by Cory, May 04, 2007

Hi Susan,

I'm glad you found it useful. Thanks for stopping by.

Cory

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written by Paul, October 15, 2007

I'm newish to Joomla and (proudly enough) discovered on my own the route you've explained here to get content in two places. However, I'm having a devil of a time getting the "...Read More" link to take you from the home page blurb to the secondary page content. Any clues for the frustrated & clueless?

Thanks!
Paul

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written by Cory, October 15, 2007

Hi Paul, I'm not sure I understand your question. The "Read More" link should automatically do what you are saying. What exactly is happening on your site?

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written by Jack, October 25, 2007

Hi, Cory! My situation is I want to put 1 additional banner in the left of front page. I've successfully made a copy of the banner, but when I try to edit the copy, I can't save or apply it. It shows error:

mosmodule::store failed
Duplicate entry '0' for key 1 SQL=INSERT INTO abc_modules('id', 'title', 'showtitle', 'ordering', 'position', 'published', 'module', 'access', 'params', 'client_id') VALUES ('0', 'Left Banner', '1','5','left','1','mod_banners','0','banner_cids= moduleclass_sfx=','0')

Is there a solution to fix this?
FYI, I'm using Joomla! 1.0.8 Stable.

Thanks!
Jack

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written by Jesus Bright, February 16, 2008

Thank you so much for this helpful tutorial. I had planned a good website and stopped by this barrier of displaying the same module in different positions. I searched Google and found your tutorials. Thanks a lot again for this lesson. It works just as I thought it could be.

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written by Mike Cross, June 26, 2008

Corry Man i love your site and I will visit every day until my site is working the way I want it to. say hi to the little one Lucy. lol you know what??? I think every one should start saying something to Lucy now that would be fun. in fact

Thanks again
Mike Cross

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