The Comprehensive Guide to Removing Default Page Builder Elements in Magento 2

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Understanding Magento 2 Page Builder
  3. Why Remove Default Page Builder Elements?
  4. Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Default Page Builder Elements
  5. Conclusion
  6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Introduction

Managing content layout efficiently is crucial for any e-commerce platform. Magento 2, a leading e-commerce solution, comes with a powerful Page Builder that streamlines the process of creating and managing content. However, there are instances where certain default elements might clutter the interface, making it necessary to remove them to maintain a clean, intuitive workflow.

In this blog post, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to remove default Page Builder elements in Magento 2. By the end of this tutorial, you'll have the knowledge to customize the Page Builder to suit your specific needs, enhancing both efficiency and user experience.

Understanding Magento 2 Page Builder

Magento 2 Page Builder is a robust tool that allows users to create dynamic pages through a simple drag-and-drop interface. It includes various pre-built elements such as text blocks, images, and sliders that can be used to design intricate page layouts without any coding.

While the default elements are designed to cater to a broad range of use cases, they might not always align with specific business requirements. Removing unnecessary elements can help streamline the content creation process by eliminating distractions and potential sources of error.

Why Remove Default Page Builder Elements?

Customizing the Magento 2 Page Builder by removing default elements can offer several benefits:

  • Enhanced Usability: A cleaner interface can lead to a more intuitive user experience.
  • Reduced Complexity: Removing unused elements can reduce the complexity, making it easier for content creators to focus on relevant tasks.
  • Improved Performance: Fewer elements can potentially enhance the performance of the Page Builder interface.

Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Default Page Builder Elements

Step 1: Create a Custom Module

To make any modifications to the Page Builder, we need to create a custom module. Follow these steps to set up the basic structure of your module:

  1. Create the Directory Structure:

    app/code/YourVendor/CustomModule/

  2. Create registration.php:

    <?php
\Magento\Framework\Component\ComponentRegistrar::register(
    \Magento\Framework\Component\ComponentRegistrar::MODULE,
    'YourVendor_CustomModule',
    __DIR__
);

  3. Create module.xml:

    <?xml version="1.0"?>
<config xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="urn:magento:framework:Module/etc/module.xsd">
    <module name="YourVendor_CustomModule" setup_version="1.0.0"/>
</config>

Step 2: Modify the Menu Section XML

Now, we need to instruct Magento to remove the unwanted elements from the Page Builder. This can be done by modifying the menu_section.xml file, where the default Page Builder elements are registered.

  1. Create the menu_section.xml File:

    app/code/YourVendor/CustomModule/view/adminhtml/pagebuilder/menu_section.xml

  2. Edit menu_section.xml to Remove Elements:

    <?xml version="1.0"?>
<pagebuilder xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="urn:magento:module:Magento_PageBuilder:etc/pagebuilder.xsd">
    <menuSection name="elements">
        <visible>false</visible>
    </menuSection>
</pagebuilder>

    This command effectively removes everything under the Elements dropdown in the Page Builder. You can customize this XML to remove specific elements by targeting their respective identifiers.

Step 3: Create a Plugin to Enhance Functionality

In some cases, further customization might be required. You can create a plugin to extend or override the default behavior of the Magento 2 Page Builder.

  1. Create di.xml:

    app/code/YourVendor/CustomModule/etc/di.xml

  2. Configure the Plugin in di.xml:

    <?xml version="1.0"?>
<config xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="urn:magento:framework:ObjectManager/etc/config.xsd">
    <type name="Magento\PageBuilder\Model\Config\MenuSection">
        <plugin name="customize_remove_elements" type="YourVendor\CustomModule\Model\Plugin\Config\RemoveElementsMenu" sortOrder="1"/>
    </type>
</config>

  3. Create the Plugin Class:

    app/code/YourVendor/CustomModule/Model/Plugin/Config/RemoveElementsMenu.php

  4. Edit the Plugin Class:

    <?php
namespace YourVendor\CustomModule\Model\Plugin\Config;

class RemoveElementsMenu
{
    public function afterGetMenuSections(\Magento\PageBuilder\Model\Config\MenuSection $subject, $result)
    {
        // Define the elements you wish to remove
        $elementsToRemove = [
            'accordion',
            'banner',
            'buttons',
            // Add more elements as necessary
        ];

        // Filter out the elements
        foreach ($elementsToRemove as $element) {
            if (isset($result[$element])) {
                unset($result[$element]);
            }
        }

        return $result;
    }
}

Conclusion

Removing default Page Builder elements in Magento 2 can significantly enhance the usability and efficiency of your e-commerce platform. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can tailor the Page Builder to better suit your specific business needs.

Remember, maintaining a clean and intuitive interface not only supports a better user experience but also streamlines the content creation process. Always test your customizations in a development environment before deploying them to production.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why should I remove default elements in Magento 2 Page Builder? Removing unused elements can streamline the user interface, making it more intuitive and reducing the chances of errors during content creation.

Q2: Can I remove specific elements rather than disabling all of them? Yes, you can selectively remove specific elements by targeting their identifiers in the menu_section.xml file or by customizing the plugin code.

Q3: Will these changes affect future updates of Magento 2? These modifications are made through a custom module, minimizing the impact on core files. However, always review and test customizations after updates to ensure compatibility.

Q4: What if I need to re-enable an element in the future? You can re-enable elements by adjusting the configuration in the menu_section.xml file or by modifying the plugin class, adding back any previously removed elements.

Q5: Is it possible to add custom elements to the Page Builder? Yes, you can add custom elements to the Page Builder by defining them in your custom module. This process involves creating new content types and registering them with the Page Builder configuration.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively manage the elements in Magento 2 Page Builder, tailoring it to meet your specific needs and preferences.