Overview

Create a master page

Edit a master page

Overview

A master page contains the page design and layout elements that you want to repeat on multiple pages in a site. Using master pages for these common elements gives your site a more consistent appearance. It also lets you create and update these elements in one place, rather than changing them on each Web page. A master page can contain anything that you can put on a Web page such as the Quick Launch, the top link bar, the title, and the logo.

Every site has one master page by default which is stored in the Master Page Gallery. You can store as many master pages in the Master Page Gallery as you want, but you can select only one master page as the default master page for a site.

You can create a new master page by using a Web design program that is compatible with Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services, such as Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer. You can also duplicate an existing master page, which you can then edit to change the elements that you want to be different.

 Note    To apply the master page to a Web page or site, use a Web design program that is compatible with Windows SharePoint Services, such as Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer.

Create a master page

You don't have to create a master page each time you create a new site. Every site has one master page by default. To create a master page, you can edit and save a copy of an existing master page.

1. On the Site Actions menu , click Site Settings.

    Note    On a site for which the Site Actions menu is customized, point to Site Settings, and then click the settings that you want to view.

2. In the Galleries section, click Master pages.
3. Click the master page that you want to copy.
4. Click Edit to open the master page in a Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services-compatible Web design program, such as Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer.
5. In your Web design program, rename the master page that you want to copy before saving your changes.

Edit a master page

1. On the Site Actions menu , click Site Settings.

    Note    On a site for which the Site Actions menu is customized, point to Site Settings, and then click the settings that you want to view.

2. In the Galleries section, click Master pages.
3. Click the master page that you want to edit.
4. Click Edit to edit a master page by using a Windows SharePoint Services-compatible Web design program, such as Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer.