Migration - Add the version 8.5 site toolbar to a version 8.0 theme

You can easily add the modularized site toolbar of WebSphere® Portal Express® Version 8.5 to a WebSphere Portal Express 8.0 theme. Or, you can add a toolbar to a custom theme that is derived from the WebSphere Portal Express 8.0 theme. The theme must be a modularized theme, which supports theme profiles and theme modules.

You can add the site toolbar of WebSphere Portal Express Version 8.5 to an existing modularized theme. You can also remove the WebSphere Portal Express 8.0 site toolbar from it. In the WebSphere Portal Express Version 8.5 theme, the WebSphere Portal Express Version 8.5 site toolbar is available by default. If you migrate your system to WebSphere Portal Express Version 8.5, you need to install the site toolbar first by running a configuration task. For more information, Enabling the 8.5 site toolbar.

Note: You must add the Portal 8.5 toolbar to a migrated custom theme that you use. Adding the toolbar enables your content creators to take advantage of updates to the site manager and other updates in the maintenance of your portal including creating, reusing, deleting, copying, and moving pages and content items.

There are two ways to embed a WebSphere Portal Express Version 8.5 toolbar into your WebSphere Portal Express 8.0 theme.

  1. You can embed the site toolbar by adding dynamic content spot to your theme HTML template. You must be familiar with theme templates and dynamic content spots to use this option. For more information, see Dynamic content spots.
  2. You can embed the site toolbar dynamically without adding dynamic contents spots to your theme HTML. You must be familiar with theme modules and theme profiles to use this option. For more information, see The module framework.

Both options are valid. The dynamic content spots option provides a more customizable user experience. There are no flickering effects because of the dynamic content spot. However, the dynamic option offers integration without editing the theme HTML template. It is easier to implement. Both options require that you add a certain theme module to the theme profiles of your theme.