Forum Features
The features described here include useful search and filter options as well as ways to promote topics.
Create Topic Button
The Create Topic button creates a child page for the current forum root page in Confluence. This button is added to the page by default when you add the Forum macro to the page.
Sticky Topics
Sticky topics are represented in the forum with a Sticky icon, and they are located at the top of the forum table, regardless of the most recent activity. Use Sticky Topics to denote important topics your users need to pay attention to or topics you wish to remain at the top of the forum. The sticky topic property can be applied/removed to any topics you wish by toggling the sticky icon next to the topic title on or off.
Search
Community Forums give users the ability to search for a topic title within a forum.
Searching Tips
| Criteria | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Partial word search | It can be used to complete the current word | top* |
| Single character placeholder | It is useful for searching topics when you have an unknown letter | top?c |
| AND Operator | Using AND returns matches for topics that contain both the keywords | x AND y |
| NOT Operator | Using NOT returns matches for topics that contain first keyword but not the second keywords | x NOT y |
| OR Operator | Using OR returns matches for topics that contain either the keywords | x OR y |
| Group Operators | Using ( ) groups combinations of operators | x NOT (y OR z) |
Clear Search
The Clear Search button allows the user to clear any searching that's already been applied. It's a simple and effective way to come back to the forum without having to reload the page.
Pagination
Pagination splits the forum topics across several pages in the forum table. The user can select the number of topics per page from the dropdown list at the bottom of the table. By default, pagination is set to view five topics per page, and the macro remembers the user's last choice. Page navigation at the bottom of the Forum table can help users navigate between pages, giving them an easy way to navigate the forum without being overwhelmed by too many topics at once.
Mark as Topic
This feature enables users to mark a specific page as a topic, so it appears as a topic on the forum page. To mark a page as a topic, follow the steps below:
- Click the ellipsis in the upper right corner of the forum page. Select Mark as Topic from the dropdown menu that appears.
- Confirm this option by clicking Submit.
Unmark as Topic
This feature enables users to maintain a page within a forum tree but unmark it as a topic, so that it does not appear as a topic on the forum page.
- Click the ellipsis in the upper right corner of the forum page. Select Unmark as Topic from the dropdown menu that appears.
- Confirm this option by clicking Submit.
Mark Children as Topic
This feature enables users to mark all children pages as a topic, so they all appear as a topic on the forum page.
- Click the ellipsis in the upper right corner of the forum page. Select Mark Children as Topic from the dropdown menu that appears.
- Confirm this option by clicking Submit.