Simple Panels

Simple Panels

On this page:


Introduction

Panels allow you to display your content in a more organized way, visually highlighting the information the panel contains.

The Simple Panel macro serves as a more elaborate alternative to the built-in Confluence panel macro. It allows for a variety of configuration options that allow for a separate header and footer, as well as options for different types of borders, colors, icons, and generally more options for styling.

 

Example Panels

Here you can see just a few examples of the different ways you can configure a panel.

example panels

 

How to Insert a Panel Macro

To add the Simple Panel macro to a Confluence page:

Use the macro insert menu "+" from editor toolbar, and select the Simple Panels.

video of inserting a panel macro from toolbar


Alternatively, type '/' in the editor to trigger the macro insert suggestions and type 'scm panel'.

video of insert panel macro via slash

 

Configuring the Panel Macro

Once the macro is inserted, it will automatically trigger the configuration dialog, allowing you to customize the panel.

 

Template Tab

The first screen you'll see in the Configuring dialog is the Template screen, where you'll find a collection of pre-made templates. These should give you a quick starting point for various different visuals.

Selecting one of the templates will apply the settings for that template, with the results visible in the preview area in the middle.

video of selecting between different templates

 

Content Tab

To customize the content of the Panel, like panel body text, header text, header icon, or footer text, navigate to the Content tab.

screenshot of the panel content tab

The content tab gives you easy access to the things you want to edit the most: the panel body and header text. Here you can quickly enter new text, as well as pick a new icon and its color.

 

Advanced Config Tab

If you want to further customize your Simple Panel, navigate to the Advanced Config tab, where you can change virtually everything about the panel.

screenshot of the panel advanced config tab


The advanced config is split into multiple groups, each of which has its own settings drawer. Click one of the fields to open a drawer and change the relevant settings.

video of opening a settings drawer and closing it

 

Panel Visuals Settings

The Panel Visuals drawer allows you to change the visual settings of the panel.

screenshot of panel visuals drawer

Setup panels with visuals so it gives focus and impact to the content inside it.

Setting

Description

Setting

Description

Panel Border

Panel borders are optional, and can be enabled/disabled using the toggle switch.

When enabled, the panel will render an outer border which are controlled from the Active Borders group.

Color

Change the color for the border using the color swatch.

Width

Set how thick the width of the border is by using the size controls.

Radius

Use the size controls to define whether the border should be squared, or have rounded corners. Increasing the radius makes the corners more rounded.

Line Style

Select whether how the borders should be drawn -- as a solid line, as a dashed line, or a dotted line.

Active Borders

Here you can set which side of the panel should show a border.

We intentionally split out each side as a separate setting to provide additional flexibility when styling your panel.

Panel Shadow

The panel shadow is optional, and can be enabled/disabled using the toggle switch.

When enabled, a drop shadow is added to the panel, to give it a bit more visual depth.

Shadow Color

Change the color of the drop shadow using the color swatch.

Shadow Size

Change how thick the drop shadow is by using the size controls.

 

Panel Header Settings

The panel header drawer allows you to change the visual settings of the panel header.

screenshot of panel header drawer

Setting

Description

Setting

Description

Panel Header

The panel header is optional, and can be enabled/disabled using the toggle switch.

When disabled, the panel will render just the body. When enabled, the panel will render a separate header, where you can add a title, as well as an icon.

Header Background Color

Set the background color for the header using the color swatch.

Note that this applies to the header only, and not the rest of the panel.

Header Text

Set the actual text you want to display in the header.

Text Color

Change the color of the header text using the color swatch.

Text Size

Change the size of the header text using the size controls.

Text Decorations

Select to make the header text format to bold, underlined, or italics.

Header Icon

The header icon is optional and can be enabled/disabled using the toggle switch. When enabled, it will show an icon next to the header text.

TIP!
If you want just an icon in the header, simply leave the header text empty.

Icon

Set the actual icon you want to show in the header.

Color

Change the color for the selected icon using the color swatch. Note that only Atlassian icons support the color change.

Size (px)

Set the size for the icon, in pixels, using the size controls.

Icon Alignment

Select whether the icon should be shown to the left or right of the text.

note:
This setting is independent of the content alignment.

Divider

The divider is optional and can be enabled/disabled using the toggle switch.

When enabled, it will show a dividing line between the header content and the panel body to create visual separation.

Line Style

Select whether the divider is a solid line, dotted line, or dashed line.

Line Color

Change the color of the divider line using the color swatch.

Line Width

Select whether the divider line is full width (goes from edge to edge) or is partial (looks like a floating line)

Content Alignment

Select whether the contents of the header (text and icon) should be aligned left, middle, or right.

note:

Not All Icons Support Colors

The icon picker has a wide array of icons to choose from, but only the "Atlassian icons" in the last tab of the icon picker support picking a color. The remaining icons are exactly as they are, and selecting a color won't change them.

 

Panel Body Settings

The panel body drawer allows you to change the main text (body) of the panel, and change the spacing around the body.

screenshot of panel body drawer

Setting

Description

Setting

Description

Background Color

Give the panel body a different background color. Use the color swatch achieve this.

Body Text

Set the actual text content you want in the body. This uses a simple rich text editor that allows for basic formatting (bold, underline, italics), icons, bullet and number lists, as well as headings.

Body Padding

Add some padding around the body to change how much spacing is to the left, right, top, and bottom of the text. Use the size controls to achive this. Increasing this setting adds extra space, so content in the panel doesn't run up against the edges of the panel.

question:

Can I embed other macros in the panel?

Not at this point. We're intentionally trying to keep the panel simple, by only allowing certain styling and content. At some point in the future, we'll most likely add a second Panel Macro that works differently and allows embedding other macros inside the panel.

 

Panel Footer Settings

The panel footer drawer allows you to change the visual settings of the panel footer.

screenshot of panel footer drawer

Setting

Description

Setting

Description

Panel Footer

The panel footer is optional, and can be enabled/disabled using the toggle switch.

When enbled, the panel will render a separate footer area below the panel body. This is where you can add additional text that is visually separate from the panel body.

Footer Background

Change the background color for the footer text using the color swatch. Note that this applies to the footer only, and not the rest of the panel.

Footer Text

Set the actual text you want to display in the footer.

Text Color

Change the color of the header text using the color swatch.

Text Size

Change the size of the header text using the size controls.

Text Decorations

Select whether to make the header text bold, underlined, or italics.

Content Alignment

Select whether the contents of the footer should be aligned left, middle, or right.

Divider

The divider is optional and can be enabled/disabled using the toggle switch.

When enabled, it will show a dividing line between the panel body and the panel footer to create a visual separation.

Line Style

Select whether the divider is a solid line, dotted line, or dashed line.

Line Color

Change the color for the divider using the color swatch.

Line Width

Select whether the divider line is full width (goes from edge to edge) or is partial (looks like a floating line).

 

How to Edit or Resize the Panel Macro

To edit a Panel in a page, hover over the panel macro, and then click on the macro handle to reveal the macro configuration toolbar. Finally, click on the edit icon on the toolbar that appears.

This will launch the Configuration dialog, with the Template tab active.

video of editing a button to launch config dialog

question:

Can I resize a panel?

The divider is a "block" macro, similar to the Confluence Divider, or Panel macro.
You can change the width of the divider between "center", "wide", and "full width".

 

Compatibility with Other Macros

The Simple Panel macro is compatible with most built-in Confluence macros that allow you to place other block-level elements inside of it.

This means, you can put a Panel into a Columns/Layout macro, or a table.