Archive Blocks on Squarespace
TL;DR:
- Archive blocks create navigation links to content like blog posts and events
- Only works with collection pages (blogs, events, stores, galleries) in Squarespace 7.0
- Choose from Index, List, or Dropdown layouts depending on your needs
- Group content by date, author, categories, or tags
- Perfect for sidebars and footers where you need text links without images
- Each block displays up to 50 groups with 100 items per group
Archive blocks help visitors navigate your site by displaying organised links to your content. They're particularly useful in sidebars and footers where you want clean, text-based navigation without the visual weight of images.
Important note: Archive blocks are a Squarespace 7.0 feature. If you're using Squarespace 7.1, you'll need to use summary blocks or other navigation options instead.
Setting Up Archive Blocks
Getting an archive block running takes just a few steps:
- Open your page editor and click 'Add Block'
- Select 'Archive' from the block options
- Choose which collection page you want to pull content from
- Pick how you want to group the content using the 'Group By' menu
- Set your sorting preference with the 'Sort By' selector
- Click 'Apply' to save your changes
The block will automatically update when you add new content to your chosen collection page.
Layout Options
You've got three layout choices, each with different strengths:
Index Layout
This creates organised sections with headers. Good when you want visitors to browse by category or date. You can adjust text alignment, set the number of columns, and choose whether to show publication dates.
List Layout
A straightforward list format that's clean and simple. You can still organise by your chosen criteria and adjust the column layout. This option also shows item counts for each group.
Dropdown Layout
The most compact option. Everything gets tucked into a dropdown menu, which saves space and keeps things tidy. You can add a custom label to make the dropdown's purpose clear.
Organising Your Content
The 'Group By' setting determines how your content gets sorted into sections:
- Date: Groups posts by publication date (by month or year)
- Author: Separates content by who wrote it
- Categories: Uses your existing category structure
- Tags: Organises by tags you've assigned
Pick the method that matches how your visitors think about your content. A news blog might work well grouped by date, while a resource site might be better organised by category.
Sorting Within Groups
Once you've chosen how to group content, you can decide how items appear within each group. Your sorting options change based on your grouping choice, giving you flexibility in the final display order.
This is where you can fine-tune the user experience. Think about whether visitors want to see newest content first or if alphabetical order makes more sense.
FAQs
Can I include images in archive blocks?
No, archive blocks only display text links. If you want images, use a summary block instead.
How much content can one archive block handle?
Up to 50 groups, with each group containing up to 100 items.
Can I show content from multiple collection pages in one block?
No, each archive block pulls from a single collection page. Add multiple blocks if you need content from different pages.
Why can't I find archive blocks in my editor?
Archive blocks are only available in Squarespace 7.0. If you're using 7.1, use summary blocks for similar functionality.
Jargon Buster
Archive Block: A navigation tool that displays text links to your content, organised by criteria you choose
Collection Page: A page type that holds multiple content items, like a blog or events page
Group By: The method used to organise your content into sections (date, author, categories, or tags)
Sort By: How items are ordered within each group section
Wrap-up
Archive blocks give you clean, organised navigation that updates automatically as you add content. They're particularly valuable in sidebars and footers where you want helpful links without visual clutter.
The key is matching your layout and grouping choices to how your visitors actually browse your content. Take time to test different combinations and see what works best for your site's flow.
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