Let User define TVs that have same content same on every page

I think I am having a mental block! I am working on an Evo 1.0.5 site and want to allow the client to make changes to images and text in a sidebar through the use of template variables (it's a series of image-based buttons that they can change over time as required). This sidebar will be the same on every page, so I don't want them to have to enter content into TVs on every resource!

I am trying to achieve this as follows:

1. I created all the different template variables for all images and text.
2. I created a blank template called "Sidebar Tpl" and assigned the TVs to it.
3. I created a resource "Sidebar" with the Sidebar Tpl template and entered content for all TVs.
4. I created a template variable called [*sidebar-content*] and placed in in the required location on my other page templates.
5. For template variable [*sidebar-content*], I set a default content of @DOCUMENT 452, which is the resource number of my "Sidebar" resource which contains all the TVs.

Now, when I check this on the webpages, it does indeed pull in the HTML code associated with the sidebar, but none of the TV content! What am I doing wrong? Or is there a much better way of doing this that has escaped me?

Thanks for all help!

I use a resource for this, and display it with a Ditto call with the QM edit button comment in the Ditto Tpl. Then in QuickManager they can edit the resource content easily. I use this for footers and any other common blocks I want the user to be able to easily edit.

Wow, have never used the QuickManager add-on before ... could be a whole new revelation (I have a feeling I am going to shout "Why on Earth did I not see this before??")! Thanks, Susan. Will go forth and play

Quick point to clarify: is your site running on Evo or Revo?

Evo.

Sorry, my mistake, I should have reread your first sentence!

Carry on...

No worries Also got advice via Twitter to use GetField, so will take a look at both options.

If you have a specific template for your home page, you can use that page as a configuration page for the website. For example, you could use the plugin ManagerManager to create a new Tab "Configure Website", and move the sidebar tv there.

After that, you can use GetField to get the sidebar content, like in this example:

Not to hijack this thread, but would this be the same solution in Revo?

Yes, with getResourceField and Form Customization.