Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Nextjs Template vs Layout

Template vs Layout in Next.js

When working with Next.js, understanding the difference between Templates and Layouts is crucial for structuring your application effectively. Let’s break down the key differences and explore examples.

What is a Layout in Next.js?

A Layout is a component that wraps around multiple pages to provide a consistent look and feel across your application. Common examples include headers, footers, and sidebars.


// components/Layout.js
export default function Layout({ children }) {
  return (
    <div>
      <header>My Header</header>
      <main>{children}</main>
      <footer>My Footer</footer>
    </div>
  );
}
    

To use a layout, wrap it around your pages:


// pages/_app.js
import Layout from '../components/Layout';

export default function MyApp({ Component, pageProps }) {
  return (
    <Layout>
      <Component {...pageProps} />
    </Layout>
  );
}
    

What is a Template in Next.js?

A Template is more specific than a layout. It structures parts of a page, such as dynamic content or specific sections. Templates are reusable within a single page or across a subset of pages.


// components/Template.js
export default function Template({ title, content }) {
  return (
    <section>
      <h1>{title}</h1>
      <p>{content}</p>
    </section>
  );
}
    

Here’s how you might use a template within a page:


// pages/example.js
import Template from '../components/Template';

export default function ExamplePage() {
  return (
    <Template title="About Us" content="We are a global company." />
  );
}
    

Key Differences Between Templates and Layouts

  • Scope: Layouts are used across multiple pages, while templates are typically page-specific.
  • Purpose: Layouts provide a consistent structure, whereas templates structure individual page sections.
  • Implementation: Layouts are usually defined in _app.js, while templates are imported directly into pages.

Combining Templates and Layouts

It’s common to use layouts and templates together. For example, a layout might wrap the overall structure, while templates define the content within individual pages.


// pages/contact.js
import Layout from '../components/Layout';
import Template from '../components/Template';

export default function ContactPage() {
  return (
    <Layout>
      <Template title="Contact Us" content="Reach out via email or phone." />
    </Layout>
  );
}
    

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