3.2Single & archive templates
The essentials in 30 seconds
- The Single template defines the layout of a single article/content item (applied to all).
- The archive template defines how the pages that list articles display (blog, categories).
- Dynamic content displays each article's data automatically (title, image, date…).
Through-line — Nadia opens a blog
The joiner wants to share tips (wood care, trends). Rather than laying out each article by hand, Nadia designs one article template (title, featured image, content, date) and one list template. Dynamic content automatically fills each article with its own data.
Continues 3.1 — after the global parts, the repetitive content.
1. Single and archive
The Single template (single article/content item) is the layout designed in Elementor Pro for displaying an article: layout of the title, featured image, content, date, author. You draw it once, it applies to all articles. The archive template defines the pages that list articles (blog page, categories, results): a grid or list of cards.
Nadia creates an elegant Single (featured image + title + content + date) and an archive as a grid of cards.
2. Dynamic content and conditions
The key: dynamic content. In the template, you don't type a fixed title, you insert the field "Article title", "Featured image", "Date"… The template then displays automatically the data of each article.
As with the header, display conditions set the scope: the Single to all articles, the archive to the list pages. Result: writing a new article is enough, its layout is automatic.
🔎 Concrete example — The joiner's blog (Nadia's case)
Single template: [Featured image] + [Dynamic title] + [Content] + [Date]
→ condition: all articles.
Archive template: grid of cards (image + title + excerpt)
→ condition: blog/category pages.
→ New article "Caring for oak": automatic layout.Result: a consistent blog with no manual layout.
Lesson: dynamic content = one template for everything.
Section vocabulary
- Single template
- The layout of a single article/content item, designed once, applied to all.
Simple example: featured image + title + content + date.
What it is not: laying out each article separately.
Reflex: one Single template for all content of the same type.
- Archive template
- The display of the pages that list articles (blog, categories).
Simple example: grid of cards "image + title + excerpt".
What it is not: leaving the article list at the theme's default style.
Reflex: list page → archive template.
- Dynamic content
- Fields (title, image, date…) filled automatically by each article.
Simple example: insert the "Article title" field rather than fixed text.
What it is not: typing a hard-coded title in the template.
Reflex: in a template, insert fields, not fixed text.
- One template for all content
- Design a single template applied automatically to all articles.
Simple example: all articles share the same Single.
What it is not: recreating the layout for each article.
Reflex: once the template is ready, writing the article is enough.
- Display conditions (content)
- Where each template applies: Single to all articles, archive to the list pages.
Simple example: Single → all posts; archive → blog/categories.
What it is not: forgetting the condition (the template doesn't apply).
Reflex: each template has its condition.
In practice — Designing an automated blog
- Create a Single template: insert the dynamic fields (title, featured image, content, date).
- Give it the "all articles" condition.
- Create an archive template as a grid of cards and apply it to the list pages.
- Publish a test article and check that its layout is automatic.
Ready-to-say script — explaining the automated blog (20 s)
"I designed a standard layout for your articles. From now on, you simply write your tip and add a photo: the article formats itself, and appears automatically in the blog list. No need to redo the layout every time."
Reassure: writing ≠ laying out; everything is automatic.
Copy-paste template — content templates check
SINGLE TEMPLATE: fields = title ___ featured image ___ content ___ date ___
CONDITION: all articles / type: ___
ARCHIVE TEMPLATE: grid / list, card = image + title + excerpt
CONDITION: blog page / categories: ___
TEST ARTICLE PUBLISHED + CHECKED: yes / noTips blog
Clean Single (image + title + text + date); archive as a grid.
Portfolio
Archive as a projects gallery; visual-oriented Single.
Categories
Per-category conditions if a section deserves a different display.
Mobile
Templates tested on mobile (featured image and titles readable).
✓ Best practices
- Insert dynamic fields, not fixed text.
- Give a condition to each template.
- Test with a real article.
✗ Common pitfalls
- Laying out each article by hand.
- Typing a hard-coded title in the template.
- Forgetting the display condition.
Key takeaways
- Single = an article's template, applied to all.
- Archive = the display of article lists.
- Dynamic content = fields filled automatically.
- Display conditions for the scope.
48h challenge — apply tomorrow
With Pro, design a Single template with dynamic fields (title, featured image, content, date), applied to all articles, then publish a test article and check the automatic layout. 30 minutes.
- I design a dynamic Single template.
- I create an archive template for lists.
- I check with a real article.
Frequently asked questions
What is dynamic content?
Fields (title, featured image, date, author…) inserted in a template, which fill automatically with each article's data. You design the layout once for all.
Difference between Single and archive?
The Single is the layout of an article (a content page); the archive is the display of the pages that list several articles (blog, categories).
Do I need Pro for this?
Yes: designing content templates (Single, archive) and dynamic content are part of Elementor Pro (Theme Builder).
The joiner will regularly publish tips. How to avoid laying out each article?