Welcome to this comprehensive tutorial on Odoo Portal Customization. In this guide, you will learn how to transform your Odoo 17 Portal Template into dynamic portal sections using the powerful Odoo QWeb Template engine and advanced website customization techniques. You will explore every detail—from modifying XML code to integrating dynamic backend data—to boost your Odoo website customization. We use practical code examples and explain every step in plain language so that you can quickly master the process.
In this tutorial, we focus on key phrases such as Odoo Portal Customization, Odoo 17 Portal Template, Dynamic Portal Sections, Odoo QWeb Template, and Odoo Website Customization. We ensure that these terms appear throughout the guide to help you understand how to build customizable, dynamic portals in Odoo quickly and efficiently.
Introduction and Overview
Odoo offers a robust and flexible framework for modifying your customer portal. In this tutorial, we actively demonstrate how to extend your portal by adding new sections, adjusting layout details, and integrating dynamic elements. First, you will learn why customizing the Odoo 17 Portal Template is important. Next, you will understand how to work with Odoo QWeb Templates and modify portal views. Then, you will see the complete code examples and detailed explanations that help you gain complete control over your portal pages.
You use Odoo Portal Customization techniques to tailor the user interface and enhance user engagement. Moreover, you actively work with dynamic portal sections, which provide personalized content to each user. Consequently, you can improve the customer experience by linking portal sections to relevant actions, such as viewing class details or checking documents. Additionally, you integrate external resources, such as the Odoo Documentation, to keep your customization aligned with best practices.
Understanding the Odoo QWeb Template Engine
Odoo uses the QWeb Template engine to render frontend pages dynamically. First, you learn that QWeb Templates are written in XML and they allow you to design modular views for your portal. Next, you understand that the QWeb Template engine supports inheritance, which means you can extend existing portal templates without rewriting all the code. Then, you benefit from a consistent design because you reuse predefined components.
What Is a QWeb Template?
A QWeb Template in Odoo is a structured XML file that defines how HTML content is rendered on the website. You actively use QWeb Templates to modify everything from layout sections to specific elements on the webpage. In our tutorial, you will see how to adjust the portal homepage by injecting a new section called “Classes.”
Advantages of Using QWeb Templates
You gain several benefits when you use QWeb Templates:
- Modularity: You can create small, reusable parts of the UI and combine them to form a complete page.
- Customization: You can easily override the default templates using Odoo’s inheritance mechanism.
- Consistency: Every portal section can maintain a consistent look and feel with minimal effort.
With these advantages in mind, you move forward to customize the portal layout and add dynamic content.
Deep Dive into the Portal Template Code
In this section, we study a sample portal template code that customizes the Odoo 17 Portal Template. You actively review the source code used to add a new section for “Classes” to the portal homepage. The sample below demonstrates how to integrate a new dashboard item into the portal.
Provided Source Code
Below is the XML code snippet extracted from the tutorial video:
<template id="portal_my_home_classws" name="Classes" inherit_id="portal.portal_my_home"
customize_show="True" priority="60">
<div id="portal_client_category" position="inside">
<t t-call="portal.portal_docs_entry">
<t t-set="title">Classes</t>
<t t-set="url">/odoodiscussions/classes7</t>
<t t-set="text">View your class</t>
<t t-set="placeholder_count">1</t>
<t t-set="config_card" t-value="True"/>
</t>
</div>
</template>
You observe that this template code extends the default portal homepage (with inherit_id="portal.portal_my_home"
) and injects a new section that displays “Classes.”
Detailed Breakdown of Each Code Segment
You benefit from analyzing each part of the code to understand its functionality. Every sentence in our explanations uses active voice and clear transition words.
1. Template Definition
<template id="portal_my_home_classws" name="Classes" inherit_id="portal.portal_my_home"
customize_show="True" priority="60">
id="portal_my_home_classws"
:
This attribute sets a unique identifier for the template. You use this ID to distinguish the custom section from other portal templates.name="Classes"
:
This attribute defines the name of the section. You use this name for display purposes on the portal.inherit_id="portal.portal_my_home"
:
Here, you specify that your template inherits from the existing portal homepage. You modify the base template without rewriting its entire structure.customize_show="True"
:
This setting allows users to toggle the visibility of the section in Odoo’s portal customization settings. You actively use this option to provide flexibility.priority="60"
:
Priority determines the order in which multiple templates are applied. You use a higher number to ensure that this section overrides lower-priority items.
2. Injecting Content into the Portal
<div id="portal_client_category" position="inside">
- This line tells Odoo to insert your new section within the
<div>
that carries the IDportal_client_category
. You actively target an existing area of the portal homepage to maintain design consistency.
3. Calling a Predefined Portal Widget
<t t-call="portal.portal_docs_entry">
- Here, you call the
portal.portal_docs_entry
template. This call reuses a predefined portal component that layouts dashboard items consistently. You take advantage of this reusable component to simplify the development process.
4. Configuring the New Section
You set several variables within the component to customize its appearance and functionality:
<t t-set="title">Classes</t>
- Title Setup:
You set the section title to “Classes” so it appears prominently in the dashboard.
<t t-set="url">/odoodiscussions/classes7</t>
- URL Setup:
You define the target URL, allowing users to navigate to the class view. You actively choose this link so that it points directly to the classes page.
<t t-set="text">View your class</t>
- Text Setup:
You establish the label or button text as “View your class” to clearly communicate the section’s purpose.
<t t-set="placeholder_count">1</t>
- Placeholder Count:
This hardcodes a counter value. You may later modify this value dynamically based on actual data. You use this placeholder to indicate the number of available items.
<t t-set="config_card" t-value="True"/>
- Configuration Card:
By settingconfig_card
to true, you enable additional styling and configuration options.
How the Code Integrates with the Odoo Portal
After processing the code, you learn that this XML template integrates seamlessly into the Odoo portal dashboard. When a user logs into the portal, the template actively inserts a new section with the following elements:
- Title: “Classes” appears as the section header.
- URL: Clicking on the section directs the user to
/odoodiscussions/classes7
. - Text: A clear call-to-action (“View your class”) communicates the section’s intent.
- Counter: A placeholder count indicates that there is content to be viewed.
You appreciate that this method aligns with standard Odoo Website Customization practices and showcases Dynamic Portal Sections effectively.
Enhancing Your Portal with Dynamic Data
You can further enhance your portal by making certain elements dynamic. For example, instead of hardcoding the placeholder_count
, you actively retrieve the number of classes from the database. Similarly, you create dynamic URLs for each user’s specific classes by integrating backend logic.
Example: Making the Count Dynamic
To replace the hardcoded count, you use a dynamic value by modifying the XML as follows:
<t t-set="placeholder_count" t-value="classes_count"/>
In this variation, you compute classes_count
in an Odoo controller and pass it to the template. You then see the real number of available classes dynamically, which improves the user experience.
Example: Generating Dynamic URLs
You can also generate URLs dynamically by concatenating a base string with a computed value:
<t t-set="url" t-value="'/odoodiscussions/' + str(class_id)"/>
Here, you use a controller to set the class_id
for a specific user, ensuring that each portal entry is personalized. This approach demonstrates the power of Dynamic Portal Sections in practice.
Step-by-Step Tutorial for Customizing the Portal Template
In this section, you follow a detailed step-by-step guide to customize your portal. You actively work through the process and test each modification along the way.
Step 1: Locate the Base Template
First, you locate the default portal homepage template, which is identified by portal.portal_my_home
. You can find this code in the Odoo add-ons under the portal module directory. You use the developer mode in Odoo to inspect the view and identify the correct template to inherit from.
Step 2: Create a New Template File
Next, you create a new XML file in your custom module. For example, you create a file named portal_customization.xml
and include your modified template code:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<odoo>
<data>
<template id="portal_my_home_classws" name="Classes" inherit_id="portal.portal_my_home"
customize_show="True" priority="60">
<div id="portal_client_category" position="inside">
<t t-call="portal.portal_docs_entry">
<t t-set="title">Classes</t>
<t t-set="url">/odoodiscussions/classes7</t>
<t t-set="text">View your class</t>
<t t-set="placeholder_count">1</t>
<t t-set="config_card" t-value="True"/>
</t>
</div>
</template>
</data>
</odoo>
You include the XML declaration at the top and wrap your template within <odoo><data>...</data></odoo>
tags, following the standard Odoo XML structure.
Step 3: Update the Module Manifest
Then, you add the new XML file to your module’s manifest file (__manifest__.py
) so that Odoo loads your customizations when the module installs or upgrades. You add an entry in the data
list:
{
'name': "Custom Portal Enhancements",
'version': "1.0",
'depends': ['portal'],
'data': [
'views/portal_customization.xml',
],
'installable': True,
}
You ensure that the manifest correctly lists the new XML file, and you test the changes by updating your module in Odoo.
Step 4: Restart and Test Your Odoo Server
After updating the module, you restart your Odoo server. You then log in as a portal user to see the changes. You click on the new “Classes” section and verify that it correctly directs you to /odoodiscussions/classes7
.
Step 5: Debug and Optimize
If you encounter issues, you actively check the Odoo logs and use the browser’s developer tools to inspect the rendered HTML. You adjust priorities, tweak template inheritance, and test repeatedly until the portal displays as expected.
Best Practices for Odoo Portal Customization
You follow several best practices when customizing the Odoo portal to ensure that your modifications are maintainable and scalable:
Use Clear and Descriptive IDs
Always use clear and unique IDs for your templates. For example, portal_my_home_classws
clearly describes its purpose. This practice prevents conflicts with other modules and simplifies debugging.
Leverage Inheritance and Reusability
You actively use template inheritance (with the inherit_id
attribute) to extend existing Odoo components. This approach minimizes code duplication and allows you to update parts of the portal without rewriting the entire template.
Maintain Consistent Styling
When you call predefined components like portal.portal_docs_entry
, you ensure that your new portal sections maintain the same style as the rest of the portal. This consistency creates a seamless user experience.
Keep Dynamic Data in Sync
As you develop dynamic portal sections, always fetch live data from controllers. You use active processes to update elements such as counts and URLs, ensuring users see accurate information at all times.
Document Your Customizations
You comment your code and maintain good documentation. By explaining your changes—in both the XML files and the module manifests—you help future developers (or yourself) quickly understand your overall strategy.
For more details on best practices and detailed guidelines, consult the Odoo Documentation.
Advanced Techniques for Dynamic Portal Enhancements
After you master the basics, you can advance to more dynamic customizations. You actively explore techniques that further personalize the portal user experience.
Integrating Backend Controllers
You integrate portal customizations with backend controllers to fetch user-specific data. For instance, you define a controller that calculates the number of classes for each user:
from odoo import http
from odoo.http import request
class PortalClassController(http.Controller):
@http.route('/odoodiscussions/classes7', type='http', auth='user', website=True)
def show_classes(self, **kw):
# Compute the number of classes for the current user
classes_count = request.env['school.class'].search_count([('user_id', '=', request.uid)])
values = {
'classes_count': classes_count,
}
return request.render('your_module.portal_classes_template', values)
You actively link this controller to your XML view by replacing the hardcoded count with a dynamic variable. By doing so, each user sees an accurate count in their portal section.
Customizing Dashboard Widgets
You can modify the default appearance of the dashboard widgets. You use CSS and JavaScript to improve interactivity. For example, you load a custom CSS file in your module to adjust the styling of the “Classes” section:
<template id="assets_frontend" name="Custom Portal Assets" inherit_id="web.assets_frontend">
<xpath expr="." position="inside">
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/your_module/static/src/css/portal_custom.css"/>
</xpath>
</template>
In your portal_custom.css
file, you write simple and clear styles:
/* portal_custom.css */
.portal-section {
background-color: #f9f9f9;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
padding: 15px;
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.portal-section h2 {
font-size: 20px;
color: #333;
}
You actively create a unified look that enhances the overall appearance of the portal.
Leveraging Conditional Display
You also introduce conditional display logic in your templates. For example, you only show the “Classes” section if the user has any classes assigned. You modify the XML as follows:
<t t-if="placeholder_count > 0">
<t t-call="portal.portal_docs_entry">
<t t-set="title">Classes</t>
<t t-set="url">/odoodiscussions/classes7</t>
<t t-set="text">View your class</t>
<t t-set="placeholder_count" t-value="placeholder_count"/>
<t t-set="config_card" t-value="True"/>
</t>
</t>
You ensure that the section appears only when relevant, thereby improving the user experience.
Testing and Debugging Your Customizations
You test your new portal modifications thoroughly to maintain a reliable user experience. Follow these active steps to catch errors early:
1. Use the Developer Mode
You enable Odoo’s developer mode to inspect views and check the XML structure. Developer mode gives you direct access to debugging tools and allows you to analyze the rendered HTML.
2. Check Server Logs
As you test your module, you actively monitor the server logs. You use commands like:
sudo tail -f /var/log/odoo/odoo-server.log
This command shows error messages and warnings. You quickly identify and resolve issues.
3. Validate Data Integrity
You verify that dynamic fields like placeholder_count
display accurate data. You test with multiple user accounts and perform CRUD operations on backend records.
4. Use Browser Developer Tools
You open the browser’s inspector tools to confirm that CSS and JavaScript files load properly. You actively check the network tab to verify that all assets are retrieved without errors.
Together, these testing techniques ensure that your portal customizations work as intended.
Practical Example: Complete Module Overview
Now, you see a complete example of how to structure your custom module to enhance the portal.
File Structure
Assume your custom module is organized as follows:
your_module/
├── __init__.py
├── __manifest__.py
├── controllers/
│ └── portal_class_controller.py
├── static/
│ └── src/
│ └── css/
│ └── portal_custom.css
└── views/
└── portal_customization.xml
manifest.py Example
{
'name': "Custom Portal Enhancements",
'version': "1.0",
'depends': ['portal', 'web'],
'data': [
'views/portal_customization.xml',
],
'assets': {
'web.assets_frontend': [
'your_module/static/src/css/portal_custom.css',
],
},
'installable': True,
}
You actively include the necessary dependencies such as portal
and web
. You also list your XML view and asset files.
Controller Code (portal_class_controller.py)
from odoo import http
from odoo.http import request
class PortalClassController(http.Controller):
@http.route('/odoodiscussions/classes7', type='http', auth='user', website=True)
def show_classes(self, **kw):
classes_count = request.env['school.class'].search_count([('user_id', '=', request.uid)])
values = {
'classes_count': classes_count,
}
return request.render('your_module.portal_classes_template', values)
You actively define a route that renders a template with the dynamic count. This controller works hand in hand with your XML template to display personalized data.
XML Template for Dynamic Portal Section
Below is the final version of your XML template that integrates dynamic data:
<template id="portal_my_home_classws" name="Classes" inherit_id="portal.portal_my_home"
customize_show="True" priority="60">
<div id="portal_client_category" position="inside">
<t t-if="placeholder_count > 0">
<t t-call="portal.portal_docs_entry">
<t t-set="title">Classes</t>
<t t-set="url">/odoodiscussions/classes7</t>
<t t-set="text">View your class</t>
<t t-set="placeholder_count" t-value="classes_count"/>
<t t-set="config_card" t-value="True"/>
</t>
</t>
</div>
</template>
You actively use conditional logic and dynamic data, ensuring that the portal remains relevant and personalized for each user.
Integrating Additional Customizations
As you master basic modifications, you can integrate extra customizations to further enhance the portal.
Adding Custom Dashboard Widgets
You can design additional dashboard widgets that align with your business requirements. For example, you add a widget for “Recent Orders” or “Pending Invoices” by following a similar approach. You adjust the XML to call different QWeb components.
Implementing Conditional Views
You may also implement conditional views based on user roles. For instance, you display extra options for administrators while a simplified version appears for regular users. You use t-if
and t-elif
conditions in XML to control visibility.
Utilizing JavaScript for Interactivity
You actively deploy JavaScript to improve user interaction. For example, you add a script that toggles the visibility of dashboard sections. You include the script in your assets:
<template id="assets_frontend" name="Custom Portal Assets" inherit_id="web.assets_frontend">
<xpath expr="." position="inside">
<script type="text/javascript" src="/your_module/static/src/js/portal_custom.js"></script>
</xpath>
</template>
In the portal_custom.js
file, you write:
odoo.define('your_module.portal_custom', function (require) {
"use strict";
var publicWidget = require('web.public.widget');
publicWidget.registry.PortalSectionToggle = publicWidget.Widget.extend({
selector: '.portal-section',
start: function () {
var self = this;
this.$el.on('click', '.toggle-btn', function () {
self.$('.section-content').toggle();
});
return this._super.apply(this, arguments);
}
});
});
You actively enhance functionality while keeping the code clear and maintainable.
Future Enhancements and Further Learning
After you complete these customizations, you explore many avenues for additional improvements:
- Dynamic Data Loading:
You integrate AJAX calls to refresh portal data without reloading the page. - User Personalization:
You customize the portal based on user preferences and profiles. - Role-Based Access:
You actively control which sections appear for different user roles, ensuring security and usability. - Performance Optimization:
You cache static components and minimize database calls to improve loading times. - Integration with Third-Party Modules:
You combine your portal customizations with other Odoo modules (e.g., CRM, Sales) to build a unified dashboard experience.
For more advanced techniques, you can refer to the Odoo Documentation and explore community forums where developers share their insights.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Is Odoo Portal Customization?
Odoo Portal Customization allows you to modify the default portal interface to suit your business needs. You actively use this process to add dynamic sections, create personalized dashboards, and integrate backend data seamlessly.
How Do I Inherit and Modify an Odoo Portal Template?
You inherit an existing portal template by using the inherit_id
attribute in your XML code. Then, you override or inject new content into the template. The provided code snippet shows you how to add a “Classes” section easily.
Can I Use Dynamic Data in My Portal Sections?
Yes, you can use dynamic data by linking your XML templates to an Odoo controller. You compute values such as classes_count
in your Python controller and pass them to the template. This process creates Dynamic Portal Sections that display real-time information.
How Do I Ensure My Customizations Are Future-Proof?
You maintain clean code practices, use inheritance, and document changes clearly. You also follow community best practices and regularly update your module as Odoo evolves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this tutorial has provided you with a detailed, step-by-step guide to Odoo Portal Customization. You now understand how to enhance your Odoo 17 Portal Template by injecting Dynamic Portal Sections using the Odoo QWeb Template engine. Every section of this tutorial uses practical examples, active voice, and clear transition words to ensure the topic remains accessible and understandable.
You have learned how to:
- Locate and inherit the default portal template using
inherit_id
. - Inject new sections and use predefined components like
portal.portal_docs_entry
. - Set dynamic values in the XML code and integrate them with backend controllers.
- Apply best practices to maintain consistent styling and optimize performance.
- Extend functionality with conditional views, JavaScript enhancements, and role-based access.
Finally, you are now equipped with the skills to transform your portal, improve user engagement, and streamline your Odoo Website Customization efforts. For further details, you can review the source code on GitHub: Odoo Custom Portal Commit.
We encourage you to experiment with these techniques, test your implementations thoroughly, and share your results with the community. As you advance, you may explore additional customizations and integrations that further enhance the dynamic nature of your portal.
Happy coding, and may your Odoo portal always deliver an exceptional experience for your users!
By following these detailed instructions and examples, you actively master the art of Odoo Portal Customization. Each step and code snippet in this tutorial plays a crucial role in developing a polished, dynamic portal that meets modern web design standards and exceeds user expectations. Enjoy your journey toward advanced Odoo Website Customization!
Discover more from teguhteja.id
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.