How to? Customize backend template (F.e. Sales order information)
This how to explains by a short example how developers can customize backend templates by overloading a block.
Scenario: We have collected additional data during the checkout process and saved them into the order. Now we want to display these datas within the order overview in backend.
The block displaying order data is located in app/code/core/Mage/Adminhtml/Sales/Order/View/Info.php. If we take a look at this class we see following code setting the template:
- protected function _construct()
- {
- $this->setTemplate('sales/order/view/info.phtml');
- }
Easiest way to change template would be to change code of info.phtml. But we should protect our code from being overwritten by Magento updates. The solution? Overloading the block.
1st Step: We create our own extension
2nd Step We create our own block. For example: Mymodule/Block/Sales/Order/View/Info.php
- class Mage_Mymodule_Block_Sales_Order_View_Info extends Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Sales_Order_View_Info
- {
- protected function _construct()
- {
- $this->setTemplate('mymodule/sales/order/view/info.phtml');
- }
- }
3rd Step We create our own .phtml file in design/adminhtml/default/default/template/mymodule/sales/order/view/info.phtml and customize it.
4th Step Overload Mage_Adminhtml_Block_Sales_Order_View_Info with own block out of own module. We add to config.xml within <default> node:
- <blocks>
- <adminhtml>
- <rewrite>
- <sales_order_view_info>Mage_Mymodule_Block_Sales_Order_View_Info</sales_order_view_info>
- </rewrite>
- </adminhtml>
- </blocks>
