Custom Module Positions in GPS Tools

GPS Tools provides custom module positions that allow you to display Joomla modules at strategic locations within the component's views. These positions are independent of your template's module positions and offer fine-grained control over content placement.

Overview

Custom module positions enable you to:

• Display additional content or widgets at specific locations
• Add advertisements, notifications, or custom HTML
• Integrate third-party modules within GPS Tools views
• Enhance user experience with contextual information

info

These module positions are specific to GPS Tools and won't appear in your template's position list. You need to manually enter the position name when configuring a module.

Available Positions

Track List View Positions

Use these positions to enhance your tracks listing pages:

Position Name	Location	Use Case
tracks-list-above-categories	Below toolbar, above category filters	Welcome messages, search tips, advertisements
tracks-list-below-categories	Below category filters, above track list	Featured content, promotional banners
tracks-list-above-pagination	Below track list, above pagination	Call-to-action buttons, related links
tracks-list-below-pagination	At the bottom of the page	Footer content, additional navigation

Visual Layout - List View

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│         Toolbar                     │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│  tracks-list-above-categories       │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│         Category Filters            │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│  tracks-list-below-categories       │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                     │
│         Track Listings              │
│                                     │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│  tracks-list-above-pagination       │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│         Pagination                  │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│  tracks-list-below-pagination       │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

Track Details View Positions

Use these positions to enhance individual track detail pages:

Position Name	Location	Use Case
tracks-details-below-toolbar	Below toolbar, at top of page	Social share buttons, breadcrumbs
tracks-details-above-map	Above the interactive map	Map legend, viewing instructions
tracks-details-above-charts	Above elevation/speed charts	Chart interpretation guide
tracks-details-above-track-info	Above track statistics	Data explanation, units information
tracks-details-above-suggestions	Above related tracks section	Promotional content, recommendations
tracks-details-above-comments	Above comments section	Comment guidelines, moderation notice

Visual Layout - Details View

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│         Toolbar                     │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│  tracks-details-below-toolbar       │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│  tracks-details-above-map           │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│         Interactive Map             │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│  tracks-details-above-charts        │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│    Elevation/Speed/HR Charts        │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│  tracks-details-above-track-info    │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│       Track Information             │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│  tracks-details-above-suggestions   │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│      Related Tracks                 │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│  tracks-details-above-comments      │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│         Comments                    │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

How to Use Custom Module Positions

Step 1: Create or Edit a Module

1. Navigate to Content → Site Modules
2. Create a new module or edit an existing one
3. Configure your module content

Step 2: Assign the Module Position

1. In the module editor, find the Position field
2. Type the exact position name (e.g., tracks-details-above-map)
3. Press Enter to confirm the custom position

tip

Custom positions won't appear in the dropdown list. You must type them manually exactly as shown above.

Step 3: Configure Module Assignment

1. Go to the Menu Assignment tab
2. Select Only on the pages selected or On all pages except those selected
3. Choose the GPS Tools menu items where you want the module to appear

Step 4: Publish the Module

1. Set the module Status to Published
2. Configure the Access level as needed
3. Save the module

Example Use Cases

Example 1: Add a Welcome Message

Module Type: Custom HTML
Position: tracks-list-above-categories
Content: Welcome text explaining how to use the track listing

Example 2: Social Sharing Buttons

Module Type: Custom HTML or third-party social module
Position: tracks-details-below-toolbar
Content: Social media sharing buttons for tracks

Example 3: Advertisement Banner

Module Type: Custom HTML or ad module
Position: tracks-list-below-categories
Content: Promotional banner or advertisement

Example 4: Map Legend

Module Type: Custom HTML
Position: tracks-details-above-map
Content: Explanation of map markers and track colors

Best Practices

• Performance: Avoid loading heavy modules in multiple positions simultaneously
• Mobile Responsiveness: Test how your modules appear on different screen sizes
• Consistency: Use similar styling across modules for a cohesive look
• User Experience: Don't overcrowd pages with too many modules
• Access Control: Set appropriate access levels for your target audience

Troubleshooting

Module not appearing?

• Verify the position name is typed exactly as shown (case-sensitive)
• Check module is published and assigned to the correct menu items
• Ensure the access level allows the current user to view it
• Clear Joomla cache (System → Clear Cache)

Module appears on wrong page?

• Review the Menu Assignment tab settings
• Check if "On all pages" is selected unintentionally