
Cascade Tutorials
In this section you will find resources and step-by-step instructions for making content edits or performing other tasks in Cascade, the University of Richmond's website content management system.
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Accessing Cascade
- Enter the Cascade address into your browser: https://cas.richmond.edu:8443
- Enter your login credentials (Net ID and password)
- Click the Login button
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The Dashboard
The Cascade dashboard is a bird’s eye view of your action items, notifications, and site content.
Log in to Cascade
To view the dashboard, log into Cascade with your university NETID and password.
By default, the dashboard includes the following widgets:
- Welcome - You can add widgets or reset your dashboard from the Welcome widget. If you have unread notifications, you can click the badge on the date in this widget to view them.
- My Sites - Sites you’ve recently visited will be listed here. Click any of them to switch into the site, or use the Site dropdown menu to view all sites you have access to.
- My Upcoming Tasks - Tasks assigned to you will be listed here in order of their due date.
- New Content - Create new assets right from the dashboard by clicking on any of the Asset Factories in this widget. My Content - Quickly access your recently-viewed assets, owned content, drafts and working copies, and workflows from this widget. If you have workflows waiting on you or one of your groups, you’ll see a badge on the Workflows tab.
- Stale Content - Keep your content fresh by monitoring stale assets that haven’t been updated in a while.
- Notifications - Your most recent notifications such as workflow notifications, publish reports, and user mentions will be listed here.
- Content to Review - Assets with upcoming review dates will be listed here.
- Link Checker - If a broken link check is scheduled for your site(s), the number of broken links and assets with broken links found will be displayed here.
To customize a widget:
- Hover over the widget and click the pencil icon ( ) in the upper-right corner.
- Configure your widget and click Save Settings.
To move or reorder widgets on the dashboard:
- Hover over the widget and click and hold the menu bar ( ) in the upper-left corner.
- Drag the widget to its new position on the dashboard.
To add widgets to your dashboard:
- Click the Add Widget button in the Welcome widget.
- Click the plus sign ( ) next to the widget you’d like to add.
- Note that you can have multiple widgets of the same type on your dashboard configured to reflect data from different sites.
To remove widgets from your dashboard:
- Hover over the widget and click the X icon in the upper-right corner.
- Confirm that you’d like to remove the widget from your dashboard.
To reset you dashboard to the default widget configuration:
- Click the Reset Dashboard button in the Welcome widget.
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Creating A New Page (KP4 Site)
As you continue with your site, you will have the need to create new pages. You can create a page by using a variety of page templates. Our most common ones are:
- KP4 Secondary Page Template
- KP4 FAQ Secondary page Template
To create a new page:
- In the Site drop-down menu in the upper left corner, choose the Site to create content in. You can type or search for the name. Your most recently-visited Site, if you have one, will appear first on the list for easy access.
- Once on a Site, click on the “Add Content” button. This dropdown is filled with your sites available page templates. Content here varies by organization.
- Click on one to begin creating content.
- Add additional content to the page.
- Replace the template name (KP4-SECONDARY-PAGE in this example) with your page name.
- Open the Body Copy Section of the template. If you have access, you may see the option to added images and other componets to the page here.
- Enter your content in the Page Content portion of the Body Copy Section of the template.
- If your content contains policy information, use the Policies Section of the template to add your policy content from the policy database.
- Optional promo items are displayed on the left margin of the page and defined in the Related Content Item Section of the template. If you choose not to display any promo items, delete the example text from the Heading text area. You may have a maximum of five promo items.
- The Row Items Section of the template allow you provide an array of content options for your pages. More information can be found on these below.
- Select Preview Draft.
- Select Submit and enter comments.
- Your new page will them be visable in the asset tree of your site.
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Creating A New Page (Hermes Site)
As you continue with your site, you will have the need to create new pages. You can create a new page by using either of the following page templates:
- Hermes-Landing-page
- Hermes-Secondary-page
To create a new page:
- In the Site drop-down menu in the upper left corner, choose the Site to create content in. You can type or search for the name. Your most recently-visited Site, if you have one, will appear first on the list for easy access.
- Once on a Site, click on the “Add Content” button. This dropdown is filled with your sites available page templates. Content here varies by organization.
- Click on one to begin creating content.
- Add additional content to the page.
- Replace the template name (secondary-page in this example) with your page name.
- Open the Lead Media, Main Content, Related Content and Row Sections of the template and enter you content (and images if you have access).
- Select Preview Draft.
- Select Submit and enter comments.
- Your new page will them be visable in the asset tree of your site.
- User Menu and Account Settings
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Accessing Your Site in Cascade
Upon logging in, you will notice the Site dropdown menu in the upper left cornor of the top menu bar.
Select your site from the drop-down list.
Or you can select your site from the My Sites widget.
Your site structure will display in the asset tree on the left side.
Your site’s Recycle bin is locate directly above the asset tree.
- Button and Text Promos (Adding Related Content - KP4 Site)
- Button and Text Promos (Adding Related Content - Hermes Site)
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Inserting Hyperlinks
There are two types of hyperlinks: Internal and External.
An internal hyperlink links to another page or asset within your site, while an external hyperlink links to a page or asset outside of your site.
Note: Internal hyperlinks link to pages or assets within your site. While you may be able to view other sites, this link type is restricted to pages/assets within your site.
Adding Internal Hyperlinks
To add an Internal Hyperlink
- While in Edit mode on your page, select the text (click and drag) that you would like to convert to a hyperlink.
- Click the Insert/edit link button on the WYSIWYG toolbar.
- Be sure the Internal box is selected. Then choose a File, Page or Link from within your site by clicking the Link Source button.
- The choose a file, page or link dialog will appear.
- Navigate to the desired page or file by clicking through the folder structure.
- Click the Choose button to select the page/asset.
- The dialog box closes and the confirmed path is displayed under the Link Source box.
Note: If you find that this is not the correct file, you can click on the path to select another page/asset.
- Make sure the Target field is set to None.
Note: Links pointing to pages from within the same site should open in the same window.
- Click the OK button.
- You return to the page in Edit mode with the new hyperlink visible.
- To save and preview your change, click the Preview Draft button.
Note: You can test your link in this mode to ensure it points to the proper page/asset.
- To submit your change, click the Submit button, enter comments, and submit again
Note: This change is not visible online until the page is published.
Adding External Hyperlinks
Note: External hyperlinks link to pages or assets outside of your site.
To add an External Hyperlink
- While in Edit mode on your page, select the text (click and drag) that you would like to convert to a hyperlink.
- Click the Insert/edit link button on the WYSIWYG toolbar.
- Be sure the External box is selected.
- Enter the complete URL (including the ‘http://’) of the website that you wish to link to in the Link Source field.
Note: It is much easier to open a new window, browse to the actual site and copy the URL from the address bar.
- Select New Window from the Target drop-down list.
Note: Links pointing to pages outside of your site should open in a new window. - Click the OK button.
- You return to the page in Edit mode with the new hyperlink visible.
- To save and preview your change, click the Preview Draft button.
Note: You can test your link in this mode to ensure it points to the proper page/asset.
- To submit your change, click the Submit button, enter comments, and submit again
Note: This change is not visible online until the page is published.
- While in Edit mode on your page, select the text (click and drag) that you would like to convert to a hyperlink.
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Inserting Email Links
When a visitor clicks on a mailto link, their default email client opens and the ‘To:’ line is populated with the email address you provide.
To attach an email link to content:
- While in Edit mode on your page, select the text (click and drag) that you would like to convert to a hyperlink.
- Click the Insert/edit link button on the WYSIWYG toolbar.
- Be sure the External box is selected.
Note: The users email client will open when the link is clicked therefore you do not need to select a Target.
- Enter the text, ‘mailto:’ immediately followed by the desired email address in the Link field (i.e., mailto:webserv@richmond.edu)
- Click the OK button.
- You return to the page in Edit mode with the new hyperlink visible.
- To save and preview your change, click the Preview Draft button.
Note: You can test your link in this mode to ensure it points to the proper page/asset.
- To submit your change, click the Submit button, enter comments, and submit again
Note: This change is not visible online until the page is published.
- To submit your change, click the Submit button, enter comments, and submit again.Mbr/> Note: This change is not visible online until the page is published.
- Editing Subnavigation
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Moving and Renaming Pages
Remember: If you do not un-publish the existing page before moving or renaming, that page will continue to be live and available to users. As demostrated below: This increases the chances of users accessing inaccurate data.
Cascade
Web Server (Live)
Original Asset
Scenario if modified, but not un-published
Both the original and modified assets are now available online. At this point, the only way to remove the original asset is to contact Web Services for a direct server delete.Move or Rename
Step
Action
1
Select (or click on) the page or file you wish to rename or move.
2
Click More and then the Rename options.
Be sure to Check the Unpublish Content check box.Click More and then the Move options.
Be sure to Check the Unpublish Content check box.3
If you wish to move the asset, click the link to the right of the Parent Folder name.
If you wish to rename the asset, skip to step 7.
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The Choose dialog box appears.
5
Select the new parent folder from the dialog box.
6
Click the Confirm button.
7
If you wish to rename the asset, replace the text in the System Name field with your desired page name.
Note: This name should contain no spaces; dashes are permitted.
8
Click the Submit button.
Now make your page edits. Don’t forget to publish your page after making your modifications.
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Uploading a File
Step Action 1 Select the destination folder (i.e., Where do you want this file to be stored?)
2 Select Add Content | New | File
3 In the middle of the page you will see the new “drop zone” that allows you to drag files from your desktop directly into the Cascade interface.
You can drag your file into the box.
Note: Be sure you have renamed your file and eliminated all spaces, per asset naming conventions.
Or
Choose the Browse (or Choose File if on Mac) button and select your file in the File Upload dialog box. Click the Open (or Choose) button on the File Upload dialog box.
4 Click the Preview Draft | Submit button to upload and save your file. -
Replacing a File
Step Action 1 Select the file you wish to replace. 2 Click Edit. 3 In the middle of the page you will see the new “drop zone” [Drop a file here] that allows you to drag files from your desktop directly into the Cascade interface. You can drag your file into the box.
Or
Choose the Browse (or Choose File if on Mac) button and select your file in the File Upload dialog box. Click the Open (or Choose) button on the File Upload dialog box.
4 Click the Preview Draft | Submit button. The “Edit Successful” message displays. 5 Click the Publish tab and click the Submit button. The “Publish message sent successfully message” displays.
Note: Cascade Contributors that use workflows should forward the workflow to a manager to have the new file published as they will not be able to see the Publish tab. -
Testing Edits on the QA Server
If you are a publisher in Cascade (not in workflow), you have the option of previewing your web edits online prior to publishing to your live website.
Publishing to QA enables you to view your website edits without affecting your live website. Here’s how it works:
1. Select your page and initiate a publish job by clicking Publish. You will be presented with a list of publishing destinations.
2. Uncheck the cmsweb1 and cmsweb2 check-boxes; leaving only the QA option selected.
3. Click the Publish.
Your job will publish to:
http://qasitename.richmond.edu/folder/page.html4. Use this URL to check your page content or form functionality, but keep in mind this will only work on the University network. If you want to view a site in QA off campus, you will need to use a VPN. When you’re ready to publish your changes to the live site, publish your form as usual (being certain that all three check-boxes are selected).
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Viewing and Activating Versions of a Page
Each time you click the Submit button, Cascade creates a new version of your page. Versions are useful in instances where you must roll back to a previous version. They can also be used to quickly change the copy on a page.
For example, if your page should read one way in the spring and another way in the fall, use versions to quickly switch between the two versions of the page.
Viewing Versions
Step
Action
Result
1
To view previous versions of any page, you must first select that page.
A preview of the page will appear in the right pane.
2
Click the More tab and select Versions.
A list of versions will be displayed in descending order by date. You will also see columns indicating the last modified date/time, last modified by and any comments added to the version.
3
Select a version from the list by clicking the hyperlink (reads as the absolute path in Cascade).
The version will display in the right top pane click More:
Options for viewing versions
You will see a set of options available at the top of your preview pane. These options enable you to view additional versions, delete, activate or even compare versions.
Step
Action
Result
1
Clicking the Newer option will allow you to move one version up on the list that we saw in step 2 above.
The version will display in the right pane.
2
Clicking the Older option will allow you to move one version down on the list that we saw in step 2 above.
The version will display in the right pane.
3
Clicking the Current option will allow you to view the last saved version of the page.
This is the version you see when you first select the page in Cascade and may even be the page visible on the live website.
The version will display in the right pane.
4
Clicking the Activate option will make the version you are currently viewing the active (or current version). It will move to the top of the list.
Note: A newly activated page is not live and must be published to display on the live website.
5
Clicking the Delete option will remove the version you are currently viewing from the versions list.
Note: Remember, a new version is created each time the Submit button is clicked. Deleting versions may be helpful when trying to eliminate noise from your versions list.
6
Clicking the Compare with Current option allows you to compare the selected version with the current version.
Markings similar to those of track changes in Microsoft Word will display on the page.
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Editing Within a Workflow
Workflow is a feature that has been adopted by some campus units, but not all. It simply automates the webpage editing approval process.
Please view the Workflow Quick Reference Guide for detailed workflow instructions.
Workflow Troubleshooting
Problem: I received an email stating that action needed to be taken and that my workflow is overdue.
You have created the workflow, but did not forward it to your approver.
- Go to the Dashboard in Cascade and check My Content | Workflows section: You will see your workflow listed. Click on the link to the workflow to open the Workflow.
- Click the link for your workflow.
- In the Contributor Review section of the workflow screen, you will see a list of available actions.
- Click the ‘Forward to XX-Manager’ link, enter comments and click the Submit Comment button.
Problem: I know I submitted my workflow, but the changes are not live yet.
Be certain that you have submitted your workflow to the approver by following Step 1 above. Your workflow section should be empty. Check your Notifications area for a Workflow Complete message. If one exists, do the following:
- Click to open the message
- Click on the link in the body of the message that reads ‘click here’.
- Look at the Completed Steps
- If the Action Performed in the last step ends in ‘delete’ or ‘reject’, your edit was not approved. You may want to contact your approver for more information. Typically this information is provided in the comments, which are visible within this window.
- If the last action ends in ‘approve’, contact your approver for more information.
Problem: I don’t know if my approver received my workflow.
While in the Workflow screen, you can find the owner of the current workflow step under Current Step Owner. If you have successfully submitted your workflow, your content approvers name will be listed under Current Step Owner.
If your name is listed under Current Step Owner, you must select the ‘Forward to XX-Manager’ option under the Available Actions so that your request can be approved.
Problem: I have logged out of Cascade, how do I return to my workflow?
Log into Cascade and check My Content | Workflows section: You will see your workflow listed. Click on the link to the workflow to open the Workflow.