Global blocks vs. non-global blocks
This article explains the distinction between global and non-global blocks in PlentyONE Shop.
The most important architectural distinction in the blocks system is between global and non-global blocks.
Global blocks
Global blocks appear on every page of the shop. Currently there are two global blocks:
| Block | Type | Role |
|---|---|---|
HeaderContainer | structure | Contains utility bar and navigation |
Footer | content | Contains footer links, legal text, and branding |
Global blocks are identified by the isGlobalTemplate: true flag in their meta object.
Key rules for global blocks:
- They are only editable on the homepage (
identifier: 'index',type: 'immutable'). - On category and product pages they are rendered but read-only — the editor does not show editing controls.
- They cannot be deleted or reordered by the merchant.
- Changes saved on the homepage propagate to all pages.
Non-global blocks
Non-global blocks are the regular page blocks stored in the blocks array. They are specific to the page they belong to and are fully editable: merchants can add, delete, reorder, and reconfigure them.
Non-global blocks have isGlobalTemplate: false or the flag is absent entirely.
Why the distinction exists
Global blocks solve the problem of cross-page consistency. Without them, a merchant would have to edit the header and footer on every single page separately, which is error-prone and time-consuming. By restricting editing to the homepage and propagating changes globally, the system ensures that the header and footer are always consistent across the shop.
Related resources
Linked concepts
- Blocks architecture — Overview of the blocks system
- Blocks saving — How global and page blocks are saved together
- Structure vs. content form — Block type system used by global blocks