How to create and edit CMS models

Create and Edit CMS Models

What is a CMS model?

A CMS model is a Content Management System interface that lets you create, edit, and publish content tailored to specific use cases. CMS models include custom fields for post creation, enabling advanced filtering and flexible display options so you can present information in various formats.

CMS models help you differentiate between various types of content. They can include custom reactions (if enabled) and unique permissions.

Note: Bettermode offers pre-built CMS models with certain Space Templates.

Create a CMS model

1. Go to Administration > Content > CMS tab.
2. Click the + icon to create a new CMS model.
3. Enter a name, assign an icon, and configure interaction types:
   • Reply Type:
     • Disable replies — members cannot reply to posts using this model
     • Answer
     • Comment
   • Reaction Type:
     • All Emojis — members can select any emoji as a reaction
     • Custom reactions — preselect specific reactions using emojis or icons from the icon library
     • Disable reactions — members cannot react to posts using this model
   • Single Choice Only (toggle) — enable to limit members to one reaction per post
4. Click Create.
5. Add and configure custom fields, then click Create.
6. Return to the main CMS model page.
7. Click Update.

Fields

Every CMS model must include a title and content field. Add additional fields by clicking + Add Field.

Single vs. Multiple Fields

Single fields allow only one value to be selected or added (for example, a single-choice dropdown).

Multiple fields allow multiple values to be selected or added (for example, a multi-select dropdown).

Single Field Types

• Text — standard text field for small amounts of text (example: Job Title)
• URL — allow users to add a URL as a link or button (example: event registration RSVP link)
• Email — field to display or collect email addresses
• Number — field that only accepts numerical values (example: phone number)
• Textarea — field for large amounts of text only, no formatting (example: description field)
• Richtext — field for rich content including embedded videos, file attachments, links, and formatted text (example: post content)
• Option — dropdown field with pre-set options; only one option can be selected (example: region or category assignment)
• Date — field to display or collect a date (example: expiration date or start date)
• DateTime — field to display or collect a date and time (example: event date and time)
• Toggle — toggle field (example: "featured" field to mark posts as featured when enabled)
• Checkbox — checkbox field (example: mark a post as resolved)
• Image — image field (example: cover image for a post)
• File — field to add a single attachment (example: worksheet attachment for learning modules)
• Member — field to designate a single member (example: course instructor or subject matter expert)
• Space — field to select and link to a space (example: link back to the parent space)

Multiple Field Types

• Options — dropdown field with pre-set options; multiple options can be selected (example: category assignment)
• Images — field to add multiple images (example: portfolio project examples)
• Files — field to add multiple attachments (example: worksheets for learning modules)
• Members — field to designate multiple members (example: webinar hosts)
• Spaces — field to select and link to multiple spaces (example: related spaces)

Field Settings

General

• Name — label for the field
• Key — unique identifier for the field (auto-generated based on field name; cannot be changed later)
• Required — toggle to make the field mandatory
• Placeholder (optional) — helper text shown in the field (example: "choose a category")
• Helper text (optional) — explanatory text displayed below the field

Permissions — Visibility

Control who can see this field:

• Everyone — default option; enable this if you want to use the field as a filter
• Staff only — only staff can view this field (example: internal ticket notes)
• Author and Staff — only the post author and staff can view this field (example: collecting user phone numbers for direct contact)

Permissions — Edit Access

Control who can update this field:

• Author and Staff — default option
• Staff only — only staff can edit this field (example: toggle to feature a post)

Edit a CMS model

1. Go to Administration > Content > CMS tab.
2. Click the CMS model you want to edit.
3. Select the Fields tab and click Manage model fields.
4. Make your adjustments.
5. Return to the main CMS model page.
6. Click Update.

Enable a CMS model in a Space

Once you create a CMS model, enable it in a Space to make it available for use.

1. Go to Administration > Content > Spaces tab.
2. Find the Space you want to edit, click the (...) menu, and select Settings. Then select CMS models.

   Alternatively: Go to the Space and access CMS model settings through the Space Header block.

3. Toggle on the CMS model you want to enable.
4. Set permissions:
   • Who can post: Define whether only admins or all members can create posts in this Space
   • Who can react and comment: Define who can react to or comment on posts in this Space
5. Click Update.

Related

• What are the default Post Types/CMS models?
• Lock Posts to prevent comments and reactions
• Space Templates
• CMS Model Page Customization
• Creating Spaces and Space Settings