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Create and delete content types

Jan Cerman
5 min read
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Before you can start writing content, you need to define at least one content type. Content types serve as templates for content items so that each item has a predefined structure.

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Table of contents

    Create content types

    Content types consist of content elements, which you can mix and match to create the content model you want.

    1. In Content model, click Create new.
    2. Type a name in Content type name.
    3. Drag (or click) content elements as needed.
    4. (Optional) Add content groups to organize elements in tabs for content creators.
    5. Click Save changes.

    Duplicate content types

    If you want to create a modified version of a content type, open the content type and click Duplicate in the top right. This creates a duplicate of your content type named “Type_name (copy)” in the project.

    Set elements as required

    By default, each element you add is optional. If you set the element as required, content creators will know which elements they need to fill in when working with content items.

    How to limit an element

    Set default value for elements

    If you have an element with a part of content that repeats a lot (like https:// in URLs), set a default value for the element.

    When you create a new content item, the element gets pre-filled with the default value and you can just add the parts that are different.

    You can set default values for the asset, date & time, linked items, multiple choice, number, taxonomy, text, and custom elements.

    Remember, if an element repeats with content as a whole, convert it to a content item and reuse it like that.

    Non-localizable elements

    By default, all elements are localizable. This means they can have different values in each language.

    If you want an element to have the same value in all languages, mark the element as non-localizable.

    Non-localizable setting is permanent

    The non-localizable setting is irreversible and cannot be changed for existing elements.

    If you mark an element as both non-localizable and required, the element must be published in the default language first.

    Content creators can edit non-localizable elements only in the default language. In other languages, non-localizable elements take the value from the default language and appear as read-only.

    Limitations for non-localizable elements

    • Only newly added elements can be marked as non-localizable.
    • Rich text element cannot be marked as non-localizable.

    Remove elements

    You can remove any element from a content type at any time, even when a content item uses the content type.

    This action is not reversible. Removing an element from a content type removes the element across all content items with all its data.

    Edit codenames

    Codenames identify objects, such as content types, in Kontent.ai. A codename is initially generated by the system from the object's name when it is saved for the first time.

    You can edit codenames in the UI by clicking the button and then the  button or via API by, for example, see modifying a content type.

    How to edit content type codename

    Rules for codenames

    When editing codenames, the new codenames must meet the following conditions:

    • Only lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores are permitted.
    • Codenames must start with a letter or an underscore and have at least one character.
    • Codenames are usually limited to 60 characters, but longer codenames are allowed for multiple choice options and taxonomy terms.
    • Codenames of elements within a snippet must be prefixed with the snippet's codename.
    • Codenames must be unique per object type. This applies to, for example, every element within a content type, every content type within a project, every content item within a project, and so on.

    This means the following applies when codenames are generated automatically:

    • All letters are made lowercase.
    • All forbidden characters are replaced by _.
    • For any names that start with a number, the codename will start with n.
    • Codenames that duplicate another codename will have a random string attached to the end.
    • Codenames of elements within a snippet will be prefixed with the snippet's codename.
    • Codenames will be cut off at the character limit.

    Delete content types

    If you want to delete a content type that is already used for any components or content items, you need to delete the content items first.

    To delete a content type:

    1. In Content model, use the checkboxes to select the content types you want to delete.
    2. Click Delete.

    The content type is now removed and cannot be restored.

    What's next?