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Macromedia Dreamweaver 8

Library Basics

Keeping site features consistent when designing a web page can be difficult. Dreamweaver's Library function makes this task easier by allowing you to create a library of frequently used items. These items can then be inserted as needed on newly created web pages. This document gives an overview of the Library and explains how to add items to the Library file.

return to topLibrary Overview

The Library in Dreamweaver 8 allows you to make repetitive updating quick, easy, and error-free. Any text or graphic can be made into a Library item. Once a Library item is created, it can be placed on any web page in a site without having to retype, reinsert, or reformat it. Library items can be altered at any time and all changes made will be automatically displayed on every page containing the item. An item can also be changed back to a non-Library item at any time, or be copied from one site to another.

Library features are located in the Files pane under the Assets tab. Here you can find the tools necessary for creating, modifying, updating, and managing your Library items. The main focus of this document will be explaining how to use the Library button.

Library Pane

return to top Creating a Library Item

Before a Library item is created, it must first be identify as a Library item within the web page. These steps tell how to add an item to a site's Library. Before working with Library items the site must be defined.

  1. If the Assets panel is not displayed, from the Window menu, select Assets
    OR
    Press [F11]

  2. On the Assets toolbar, click LIBRARYLibrary button

  3. Select the desired web page element to be made into a Library item

  4. From the Library pane, click NEW LIBRARY ITEMNew Library Item button
    NOTES:
    The selected image or text is displayed in the preview area of the Library pane.
    A new untitled entry appears in the Library item list.

  5. Type a descriptive name for the new Library item so that it is easily referenced
    NOTE: You may name your Library item later by right-clicking the entry and selecting Rename.

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