EBA: Entity Block Attachment

Based on the EVA module, this module provides site builders with a way of 'attaching' blocks within the content of any fieldable entity in Drupal (e.g. nodes, users, listing pages of taxonomy terms, etc). The same block is shown on any entity of that type/bundle (unlike Block reference).

Here's an example of the kind of thing that EBA allows site builders to do easily:

• Show standard pieces of content to be placed on all content of a certain type, perhaps explaining about products or how to use webforms
• Place advertising blocks or fixed javascript code between the fields in the content of a page, not just in regions around the content.
• Show lists of links (as menu blocks) on user profiles as helpful links to common destinations

Drupal 8 version

The Entity Extra Field projects looks to be the best option to use for this functionality, as this EBA project will not be officially ported to Drupal 8.

A version of EBA for Drupal 8 has been created by ahebrank on Github, although that has itself been eventually abandoned too. There are some fundamental differences, and limitations due to the changes to the block system for D8.

Instructions

Download and install the module. Configure a block that you wish to show on entities and choose which entity types to show the block on, from the 'Entity Block Attachment' tab at the bottom of the standard block configuration form.
The placement of the block in the entity's content can be reordered on the "Manage Display" administration page for that entity, like other fields added using the Field UI module. The block will show on all view modes (e.g. teaser & search results as well as full content) unless hidden from here.

Comparison with other modules

• Entity Extra Field - this is recommended for Drupal 8. It allows embedding other things like views too.
• Block reference - allows a different block to be shown on each entity as a field on the entity. EBA is for embedding the same block on every entity of a certain type.
• Block filter module - embeds a block using a token & input filter within a text field (e.g. body). This is also set per-entity, and is within the content of the field rather than just amongst fields of an entity. EBA is much simpler & more intuitive for content editors to use than setting a token within a text field.
• Panels and Display Suite - entire suites of functionality that do far more than just the task that EBA is for. Each uses their own layout/template system, unlike EBA which just uses core's hook_field_extra_fields() system so that themers do not need to use anything beyond core's theming paradigms. EBA does not depend on any modules outside of core, and has a much simpler focus.
• Drupal core's block module/functionality - cannot place blocks between fields of an entity, which EBA does.
• Entity Views Attachment (EVA) - allows a view to be placed on entities in the same way as EBA. The inspiration for much of this module (not least the name!), which places blocks.

About the Developers

This project is currently maintained by developers at ComputerMinds - visit us at http://www.computerminds.co.uk. We at ComputerMinds pride ourselves on offering quality Drupal training, Drupal development and Drupal consulting. Go Drupal!