How to Add Sidebar.Additional in Magento 2 Search Page

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Understanding Magento 2 Layouts and XML
  3. Step-by-Step Guide to Adding sidebar.additional
  4. Troubleshooting Common Issues
  5. Conclusion
  6. FAQ

Introduction

Magento 2, a leading eCommerce platform, offers a highly customizable framework for developing unique online stores. However, even seasoned developers sometimes encounter issues when trying to implement specific functionalities. One frequently asked question is: How can you add the sidebar.additional section to the search results page in Magento 2? This can be challenging, especially for those new to Magento. In this blog post, we'll cover the steps needed to achieve this, delve into the configuration files involved, and provide practical examples and tips to ensure you can seamlessly integrate this feature into your project.

This guide will be valuable for Magento store owners, developers, and anyone interested in improving the layout and functionality of their Magento-powered eCommerce site.

Understanding Magento 2 Layouts and XML

Layout Files in Magento 2

Magento 2 uses XML layout files to define the structure and content of various pages. These files control the arrangement of blocks within a page, making it crucial to understand their role when attempting to modify a layout. The primary layout file you will be working with is catalogsearch_result_index.xml.

Block Structure

In Magento 2, a page layout consists of multiple blocks, each serving a specific purpose. The sidebar.additional block is an auxiliary sidebar usually used for additional promotions or cross-sell content. Integrating this block into the search results page involves properly configuring it in the respective layout XML file.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding sidebar.additional

Step 1: Locate the Layout XML File

The first step is to identify and locate the correct XML file where you'll make your changes. For the search results page in Magento 2, this file is typically found at:

app/design/frontend/{Vendor}/{Theme}/Magento_CatalogSearch/layout/catalogsearch_result_index.xml

If the file doesn’t exist, you’ll need to create it.

Step 2: Modify the XML File

To achieve a three-column layout including sidebar.additional, follow these steps:

  1. Ensure Default Layout Structure: Make sure that your search results page is set to use a three-column layout. The following XML snippet sets the page layout:

    <page xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" layout="3columns" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="urn:magento:framework:View/Layout/etc/page_configuration.xsd">
    <body>
        <referenceContainer name="content">
            <!-- Your content goes here -->
        </referenceContainer>
        <referenceContainer name="sidebar.main">
            <!-- Main sidebar content goes here -->
        </referenceContainer>
        <referenceContainer name="sidebar.additional">
            <!-- Additional sidebar content goes here -->
        </referenceContainer>
    </body>
</page>

  2. Add sidebar.additional Block: Add the necessary block definitions within the sidebar.additional reference container:

    <page xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" layout="3columns" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="urn:magento:framework:View/Layout/etc/page_configuration.xsd">
    <body>
        <referenceContainer name="sidebar.additional">
            <block class="Magento\Framework\View\Element\Template" name="custom.additional.sidebar" template="Magento_Theme::html/your_custom_block.phtml"/>
        </referenceContainer>
    </body>
</page>

  3. Custom Block Template: Ensure that the template file your_custom_block.phtml exists in app/design/frontend/{Vendor}/{Theme}/Magento_Theme/templates/html/.

Step 3: Define Custom Block Content

In the your_custom_block.phtml, you can place HTML and PHP code to define what content appears in the sidebar.additional section. Example:

<div class="custom-sidebar-content">
    <h3>Additional Sidebar Content</h3>
    <p>This is your custom content in the additional sidebar.</p>
</div>

Step 4: Clear Cache and Verify

After making these changes, clear your Magento cache:

php bin/magento cache:clean
php bin/magento cache:flush

Then, navigate to your search results page to verify that the three-column layout is working, and the sidebar.additional block is displayed correctly.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Missing Layout Changes

If your changes are not reflecting:

  1. Double Check File Paths: Ensure your file paths are correct and that the XML structure is valid.
  2. XML Validation: Use an online XML validator to check for syntax errors.
  3. Correct Cache: Ensure you have properly cleared the cache.

CSS and Styling

If the layout isn’t looking as expected, CSS might be overriding the default styling. Inspect the elements using browser developer tools and adjust your theme’s CSS accordingly.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you should now be able to add the sidebar.additional section to your Magento 2 search results page. Understanding and manipulating Magento’s layout XML files provides greater control over your store’s design and functionality, enabling a more tailored eCommerce experience.

FAQ

Can I add other sections in a similar way?

Yes, additional sections can be added by defining them in the appropriate layout XML file and creating corresponding templates.

What if I have multiple themes?

Make sure to make changes in the active theme directory. You can switch themes if needed to ensure you are modifying the correct files.

Can this be applied to other pages?

Absolutely. The approach of using layout XML files can be applied to modify other pages. You’ll need to locate the specific layout XML file for the page you wish to modify.

Are there built-in blocks I can use?

Magento provides several built-in blocks that you can reference. Check Magento’s developer documentation or explore existing layout XML files to see examples.

By offering detailed instructions and practical examples, this guide aims to simplify the process of customizing Magento’s search results page, contributing to a more robust and user-friendly online store.