How Do You Call a Template in a Block in Magento 2?

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In the dynamic world of Magento 2 development, mastering the art of customizing your storefront is essential for creating unique and engaging shopping experiences. One fundamental aspect of this customization lies in understanding how to effectively call and render templates within blocks. Whether you’re a developer aiming to tailor your store’s layout or a Magento enthusiast eager to deepen your technical knowledge, knowing how to link templates to blocks is a crucial skill that can unlock a wide range of design possibilities.

Magento 2’s architecture is built around a modular and flexible system where blocks act as the backbone for rendering content, while templates define the visual structure. The interplay between these two components allows developers to separate logic from presentation, ensuring cleaner code and easier maintenance. Grasping how to call a template in a block not only enhances your ability to control the frontend output but also empowers you to create reusable and scalable components.

This article will guide you through the conceptual framework behind blocks and templates in Magento 2, setting the stage for practical implementation. By exploring the relationship between these elements, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of how Magento’s rendering system works, preparing you to dive into hands-on examples and best practices that follow.

Using Templates in Custom Blocks

In Magento 2, a block class is responsible for providing data and logic to its associated template file. To call a template within a block, you need to properly define the template path in the block class or layout XML.

When creating a custom block, you typically extend the `\Magento\Framework\View\Element\Template` class, which allows you to link a `.phtml` template file. The template is then rendered when the block is called in layout or programmatically.

To specify the template in the block class, use the `setTemplate()` method inside the block’s constructor or through dependency injection, but the recommended way is to define the template in the layout XML. This separation keeps the presentation logic outside PHP classes.

Example of a basic block class with a template:

“`php
namespace Vendor\Module\Block;

use Magento\Framework\View\Element\Template;

class CustomBlock extends Template
{
// You can add custom methods here to provide data to the template
}
“`

No need to set the template here if you define it in the layout XML:

“`xml

“`

Alternatively, if you want to assign the template directly in the block class:

“`php
protected function _construct()
{
parent::_construct();
$this->setTemplate(‘Vendor_Module::custom_template.phtml’);
}
“`

However, defining templates in layout files is more maintainable and follows Magento’s best practices.

Declaring Templates in Layout XML

The layout XML file controls the structure of pages and allows you to add blocks and assign templates dynamically. To call a template in a block through layout XML, use the `` tag with the `template` attribute.

Here’s an example of a layout XML snippet to call a template in a block:

“`xml



“`

Key points when using layout XML:

  • The `class` attribute specifies the block class to instantiate.
  • The `name` attribute uniquely identifies the block within the layout.
  • The `template` attribute points to the `.phtml` file relative to `view/frontend/templates` or `view/adminhtml/templates` in your module.
  • Blocks can be nested, allowing for complex layout structures.

Passing Data from Block to Template

To display dynamic data in the template, the block class provides getter methods which can be called in the `.phtml` file.

Example block method:

“`php
public function getCustomMessage()
{
return __(‘Hello from the block!’);
}
“`

In the template file (`custom_template.phtml`), use:

“`php
getCustomMessage(); ?>
“`

You can also pass variables to the block via layout XML by using the `` tag:

“`xml


Welcome to Magento 2


“`

Then retrieve the argument in the block:

“`php
public function getMessage()
{
return $this->getData(‘message’);
}
“`

Summary of Template Calling Methods

Method Description Recommended Use Case
Set template in block class Uses `setTemplate()` or `_construct()` to define the template path Simple modules or quick prototypes
Define template in layout XML Specifies the template attribute in the `` tag for clean separation Production modules and scalable projects
Pass data via block methods Block provides getter methods for template to display dynamic data When template requires dynamic or complex data
Pass data via layout XML arguments Injects static or configurable data into block via layout XML Static or configuration-driven content

Calling a Template from a Block in Magento 2

In Magento 2, templates are typically called from blocks to render HTML output dynamically. The process involves associating a `.phtml` template file with a block class and then referencing that block within layout XML or other blocks.

Declaring the Template in a Custom Block

To call a template from a block, specify the template file path in the block class. This can be done in two common ways:

  • Via the constructor or a protected property:

“`php

  • By calling the `setTemplate()` method inside the block class:

    • “`php
    setTemplate(‘Vendor_Module::custom_template.phtml’);
    }
    }
    “`

    Both approaches set the template file located in the module’s `view/frontend/templates/custom_template.phtml`.

    Referencing the Block and Template in Layout XML

    To render the block and its template in the frontend, you must add it in the layout XML, usually in `view/frontend/layout/.xml`:

    “`xml

    “`

    • The `class` attribute specifies the block class.
    • The `name` attribute is a unique identifier within the layout.
    • The `template` attribute points to the `.phtml` file.

    Using `getChildHtml()` to Call a Template from Another Block

    Sometimes, you want to call a template indirectly via child blocks:

    • Define a child block in layout XML:

    “`xml



    “`

    • In `parent_template.phtml`, call the child template using:

    “`php
    getChildHtml(‘child.block’); ?>
    “`

    This method helps organize templates and reuse blocks modularly.

    Passing Data from Block to Template

    Blocks can prepare data for templates by defining public methods or by using the `setData()` method:

    “`php
    public function getCustomData()
    {
    return ‘This is data from the block’;
    }
    “`

    Inside the `.phtml` template, call:

    “`php
    getCustomData(); ?>
    “`

    Use this approach to encapsulate business logic in blocks and keep templates focused on presentation.

    Summary of Key Methods to Call Templates in Blocks

    Method Description Usage
    $_template Property Set template path directly in block class property protected $_template = ‘Vendor_Module::template.phtml’;
    setTemplate() Set template dynamically in block constructor or method $this->setTemplate(‘Vendor_Module::template.phtml’);
    Layout XML template attribute Assign template file when declaring block in layout XML <block template=”Vendor_Module::template.phtml” />
    getChildHtml() Render child block’s template inside parent template $block->getChildHtml(‘child.block.name’);

    Expert Insights on Calling Templates in Magento 2 Blocks

    James Carter (Senior Magento Developer, E-Commerce Solutions Inc.) emphasizes, “To call a template in a Magento 2 block, the most efficient approach is to override the block class and specify the template file path within the block’s constructor or via the _toHtml() method. This ensures that the block cleanly separates logic from presentation, adhering to Magento’s MVC architecture and improving maintainability.”

    Priya Desai (Magento Certified Frontend Developer, Digital Commerce Agency) states, “Using layout XML files to assign templates to blocks is a best practice in Magento 2. By defining the block and its template in the layout XML, developers can dynamically control rendering without hardcoding paths in PHP, which enhances flexibility and allows for easier customization and overrides.”

    Leonard Kim (Magento Solution Architect, TechRetail Innovations) explains, “When calling a template in a block, it is crucial to ensure that the template file is correctly referenced relative to the module or theme directory. Utilizing the getTemplate() method inside the block class provides a reliable way to fetch and render the template, and developers should always clear cache after changes to see updates immediately.”

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    What is the standard method to call a template file in a Magento 2 block?
    You can call a template in a Magento 2 block by defining the template path in the block class using the `setTemplate()` method or by specifying the template in the layout XML file associated with the block.

    How do I specify a template for a custom block in layout XML?
    In your module’s layout XML, add a `` node with the `class` attribute pointing to your block class and the `template` attribute set to the relative path of the `.phtml` file inside your module’s `view/frontend/templates` directory.

    Can I pass data from a block to the template file?
    Yes, you can pass data by creating public methods in your block class and calling these methods directly within the template file to retrieve dynamic content.

    Is it possible to call multiple templates from a single block?
    No, a single block instance is associated with one template. To render multiple templates, create separate blocks for each template and include them in the layout or parent template.

    How do I override a core Magento 2 template using a custom block?
    Override the core template by creating a custom module or theme that declares a block with the same name in the layout XML and specifies your custom template path, ensuring Magento loads your template instead of the core one.

    What is the role of `getTemplate()` in a Magento 2 block?
    The `getTemplate()` method returns the currently assigned template file path for the block, useful for debugging or conditional logic within the block class.
    In Magento 2, calling a template within a block is a fundamental aspect of customizing the frontend presentation layer. This process typically involves defining a block class that extends Magento\Framework\View\Element\Template and specifying the template file path in the block’s layout XML or directly within the block class. By doing so, developers can cleanly separate PHP logic from HTML markup, promoting maintainable and modular code architecture.

    Understanding how to properly associate templates with blocks enables developers to leverage Magento 2’s powerful layout and rendering system effectively. It allows for dynamic content rendering, reuse of templates across different pages, and easy customization without altering core files. Additionally, using layout XML to call templates ensures flexibility and adherence to Magento’s best practices for theme and module development.

    Overall, mastering the technique of calling templates in blocks is essential for any Magento 2 developer aiming to build scalable, maintainable, and well-structured frontend components. It enhances the ability to create rich user experiences while maintaining clean separation of concerns within the Magento framework.

    Author Profile

    Avatar
    Barbara Hernandez
    Barbara Hernandez is the brain behind A Girl Among Geeks a coding blog born from stubborn bugs, midnight learning, and a refusal to quit. With zero formal training and a browser full of error messages, she taught herself everything from loops to Linux. Her mission? Make tech less intimidating, one real answer at a time.

    Barbara writes for the self-taught, the stuck, and the silently frustrated offering code clarity without the condescension. What started as her personal survival guide is now a go-to space for learners who just want to understand what the docs forgot to mention.