WordPress - Adding Themes

The WordPress Theme system is a way to "clothe" your weblog. Yet, it is more than just a "covering." Covering implies that only the design is changed. WordPress Themes can provide much more control over the look and presentation of the material on your website.

A WordPress theme is a collection of files that work together to produce a graphical interface with an underlying, unifying design for your weblog. These files are called template files. A Theme modifies the way the site is displayed, without modifying the underlying software. Themes may include customized template files, image files (*.jpg, *.gif), style sheets (*.css), custom Pages, as well as any necessary code files (*.php).

With this creative tool, the designs of different pages and categories are limited only by your imagination.

Using Themes

WordPress currently comes with 16 Themes available for weblog hosted by NMSU. Themes can be changed via the Appearance link alongside the sidebar. You can also add new Themes, which will appear in the Administration Screen > Appearance > Themes as additional selections. 

theme menu

Note: University-sanctioned weblogs (e.g. department websites etc. ) must use the NMSU Theme 2.0. 


Adding New Themes

WordPress has many Themes available for personal websites. However, websites or weblogs hosted via NMSU (wordpress.nmsu.edu) are limited to the 16 preset Themes. New Themes cannot be installed without the appropriate permissions. 


Setting the Active Theme

Only one Theme may be activated at a time. Themes can be activated via the Appearance link along the sidebar
  1. Log into WordPress as an administrator. 

  2. From the sidebar, select Appearance > Themes.

    theme menu

  3. At the Themes page, mouse over the desired Theme thumbnail to view that Theme's options. 
    mouse over theme


    • Select More information to learn more about the chosen Theme, Activate to set Theme as your own, or Live Preview to see how your content would be displayed with that chosen. 

      Note: Once the Activate button has been selected, the chosen Theme will become immediately active for both you and anyone who views your site. Your currently activated theme will appear in the upper left corner of the Themes page, along with a quick link button for customization. 

      theme options

For more information, please visit NMSU WordPress Video Tutorials or the WordPress Support Forums.

If you have any questions, come by the Help Desk at Hardman & Jacobs Undergraduate Learning Center Room 105, call 646-1840, or email us at help@nmsu.edu.



Keywords:wordpress use themes manage themes add theme to website blog   Doc ID:73810
Owner:John B.Group:New Mexico State University
Created:2017-06-05 08:13 MDTUpdated:2017-06-05 11:09 MDT
Sites:New Mexico State University
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