Feature Overview

Data Models

MetaModels enables the convenient and (almost) unlimited definition of data models in the Contao backend — without any programming. Various relations are available for building complex data models, to store data in separate tables and link them — see normalization.

Various data types are available for data fields (attributes) in the data models, such as text, images, numbers, date, files — here is an overview of data types for attributes and a listing of all attributes. If a limitation is reached because the desired data type is not available, a custom implementation is possible using the MM API.

It is also possible to link tables to other Contao Core tables, to create “parent-child connections” or to implement variant inputs.

Input Forms

Complex input forms can be defined for the backend, which keep “editors” in the familiar “look & feel” of Contao. Within an input form, you can react to the input of values or checkboxes to optionally show different sub-palettes — see Visibility Conditions / Sub-Palettes.

For easy orientation in the data, the display can be extended with various filters, search and grouping functions.

The flexible rights system developed for MetaModels allows defining different backend views for editor and administrator user groups.

The backend can be further customized so that only certain groups have access to individual input fields, and their order can also be individually adjusted per user group.

Multilingual Support

MetaModels was developed from the beginning with multilingual requirements in mind. Attributes can therefore support the translation of the data they store into multiple languages. You simply need to switch to the desired language in the backend using the language selector, and can immediately edit the record in the selected language.

The best part is that attributes that are not translatable are simply not translated. This makes it possible, for example, to make only the names and descriptions of products translatable, but not the product number and measurements. This approach reduces the redundancy of data that needs to be entered.

More about the settings and handling of multilingual support in the components of a MetaModel.

Filters

MetaModels has a powerful filter concept that can also handle complex tasks. The website administrator can completely freely adapt the filter interactions to their needs. This is achieved through the configuration and combination of filter settings and their parameters.

MetaModels comes with various filter settings to create filter input fields in the frontend, such as select boxes, range filters, free-text search, etc. — an overview can be found here and here, which attributes can be filtered in which way.

Combining this filter with filter settings such as AND/OR conditions or custom SQL queries creates complex and interactive filters.

MetaModels places no restrictions on the combination of filters and handles extremely complex filter scenarios. Thanks to the open structure of the MM API, custom filter rules can also be programmed with little effort.

Dynamic Views

Using the output settings, MetaModels has implemented Contao’s “partial” template concept in an extended form. The user can customize every aspect of the views at the attribute and record level.

Various general settings can be defined in the backend configuration. However, these can also be overridden, finely adjusted or completely ignored by specifying a custom template at the attribute or record level. These output settings offer the most flexible way to define ‘data views’.

The designer can define a completely different view for each purpose, whether it’s a simple list output, a teaser for the homepage or a detail view of a record, and also when and where it should be used.

On the “Templates in MetaModels” page, the hierarchy and structure of templates is explained.

Extensions

For special tasks, there are additional packages that supplement and extend MetaModels’ functionality, such as perimeter search, wish list, frontend editing or an interface to the Isotope shop.

An overview can be found here: Extensions

Outlook

The range of MetaModels features continues to be worked on continuously. A quick implementation of further features is only possible with financial support or the release of commissioned programming — for information, visit the MetaModels project website or contact the MM team directly: mail@metamodels.me.