News Story Tags

Once news articles are loaded into xCatalyst, a set of feature news tags is used to load and display new articles or information on site pages.  News tags can be used throughout the site at the discretion of the content editor, however it is easiest to design news formatting areas that call these tags.

1. FNEWS_SEARCH_BYDATE

Syntax:  $ LC:FNEWS_SEARCH_BYDATE:[area]:[area]:[start date]:[end date]:[topic] $

Description:  This tag is used to list all news stories between a specific date range as defined by the date range  parameters.  The start date or end date may be left open by leaving them blank.   

Parameters:   the following parameters can be used with this tag:

• Area – the first area included is referred to as the inner area.  This defines the format for displaying the news articles.  This is an area that must be added before using the FNEWS_SEARCH_BYDATE tag.   The area can be given any name.   Default area is NEWS BLD. 

• Area – the second area included is referred to as the inbetween area.  This defines what should be displayed in between each news article.  This area could include an image, a line (using the HR horizontal rule html tag), or a blank line.   This area is optional.  Default area is NEWSBTW.

• Start date – If you would like to indicate the starting date, enter the date of the first article to be displayed.  Use the following date format: MM/DD/YYYY.

•  End date – If you would like to indicate an ending date, enter the date of the last article to be displayed.  Use the following date format: MM/DD/YYYY.  

• Topic – The topic for the news stories.

Requirements:

The two areas to be used in this tag must be added first.  The second (inbetween) area is optional, but if it is to be included, it must first be added.  

2. FNEWS_LIST_BYORDER
Syntax:  $ LC:FNEWS_LIST_BYORDER:[area]:[area]:[topic]:[n] $

Description:  This tag used to display a specified number of news stories based on the order field.  

Parameters:  the following parameters can be used with this tag:

• Area – the first area included is referred to as the inner area.  This defines the format for displaying the news articles.  This is an area that must be added before using the FNEWS_LIST_BYORDER tag.   The area can be given any name.   

• Area – the second area included is referred to as the" inbetween" area.  This defines what should be displayed in between each news article.  This area could include an image, a line (using the HR horizontal rule html tag), or a blank line.   This area is optional.  

• Topic – The topic for the news stories.

•  n -   the number of article to display.  

Requirements:

The two areas to be used in this tag must be added first.  The second (inbetween) area is optional, but if it is to be included, it must first be added.  

3. FNEWS_SEARCH_BYDAYS
Syntax:   LC:FNEWS_SEARCH_BYDAYS:[builder area]:[inbetween area]:[place holder area]:[number of days]:[number of records per page]:[news topic]

Description:  This tag used to display a specified number of news stories based on the number of days of when the news story was created.

Parameters:  the following parameters can be used with this tag:

• Builder Area - This defines the format for displaying the news articles.  This is an area that must be added before using the FNEWS_SEARCH_BYDAYS tag.   The area can be given any name.
• Inbetween Area - This area referred to as the" inbetween" area.  This defines what should be displayed in between each news article.  This area could include an image, a line (using the HR horizontal rule html tag), or a blank line.   This area is optional.
• Place Holder Area - This area contains the pagination tag
• Number of Days - This parameter defines the amount of days to go back and pull news stories
• Number of Records Per Page - Defines the number of news stoires that will show on one page/pagination.
• News Topic - The topic for the news stories.

4. FNEWS_SEARCH_FORM
Syntax:  LC:FNEWS_SEARCH_FORM:[area]:[area]:[start date]:[end date]$
Description:  This tag displays a search form that can be used on a web page to allow a visitor to search news stories.  The form includes a search by keyword (headline, topic, body, and source text), from date, to date, and a drop down to select topics.

Parameters:  the following parameters can be used with this tag:

• Area – the first area included is the outer area that defines the search results page and contains the display area – how to display the news articles (include date, title, etc).   The area can be given any name, but must first be added before you use this tag.  

• Area – the second area included is referred to as the inbetween area.  This defines what should be displayed in between each news article.  This area could include an image, a line (using the HR horizontal rule html tag), or a blank line.   This area is optional.

• Start date – If you would like to populate the From Date field with a default date, enter it as a parameter.   Use the following date format: MM/DD/YYYY.

• End date – If you would like to populate the To Date field with a default date, enter it as a parameter.   Use the following date format:  MM/DD/YYYY.  

The contents of this area will include the search form tag and display areas.
Example:

Requirements:

The two areas to be used in this tag must be added first.  The second (inbetween) area is optional, but if it is to be included, it must first be added.  

News Tags

MC:FNEWS_IMAGE

MC:FNEWS_TITLE

MC:FNEWS_ABSTRACT

MC:FNEWS_URL